Deadly Passion!

DEADLY PASSION

Ezekiel 37.1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8.6-11; John 11.1-45

Bones

This morning we had a long set of readings that are appointed for Passion Sunday, first we heard the classic reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel; The vision of a resurrection from death to life, and it is a glorious resurrection. This is a thing so utterly unknown to nature, and so contrary to its principles. The vision is of the Jews in Babylon likened to dead and dry bones, unlikely ever to come together. Bones spread out in the desert, never to become a whole skeleton again, and certainly not a living body. But we remember that “With God all things are possible”, and God will breathe the breath of life into them.

The second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans is one that reminds us that it is the Spirit that gives us life, even when we think we are beyond help. It is worth remembering that the old Hebrew word for Spirit is Ruach, which is the same word for breath, or life. This is a link back to the words of the prophesy of Ezekiel. The macabre image of death is present in the journey through the desert and in many ways it is also present in our own daily lives. We worry too much about death, when we are called to bring life to situations and people. It's the Spirit that liberates us from it and we can think about living, not about death.

Jesus’ Friends

This Bethany family forms part of the followers of Jesus, disciples and friends (personal friends if you like). Jesus is informed of Lazarus’ health without explicitly being asked to come. He is simply told. “He whom you love is ill”. And so it was, Jesus loved that family.

The Lord goes back to Judea, risking his life. The disciples are afraid, but they are reminded them that his mission is to be carried out in broad daylight and the darkness, in which those who reject him live, does not make him stumble. In that light and without fears, the disciples will have to continue the task. It is fear that kills, not the truth.

In Judea, death is threatening Jesus and his followers, but the mission continues. Thomas senses this and says firmly “Let us also go, that we might die with him”. This is the same Thomas who will later want to know if Jesus is really risen.

It’s all a bit final when Jesus gets there, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, so according to custom he had been dead five days. In a dialogue between Marta and Jesus, he says to her “Your brother will rise again”, she then says to him “yes I know that, on the resurrection on the last day” and then Jesus is able to explain his mission and purpose, AND the mission and purpose of his followers down the generations.

Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me, though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die”. He then gives a challenge, a challenge that we answer today; Jesus says, “Do you believe this?”

When I read this reading, usually at funerals, when I say the words “Do you believe this” it’s quite common for someone in the congregation to say “yes!”. I’m not sure if it’s because they haven’t listened to the reading or whether it’s evangelical fervour, but it’s really good!

The Gospel story isn’t just about magic tricks and raising people from the dead, it’s all about what the followers of Jesus do. To bring life to those who have died! If not physically, they do it socially, pastorally, economically, anthropologically, politically, any …ally really. It’s our job to bring people out of the dark tombs of their existence so that they too can live in the light of Christ. Away from all that would oppress them!

The tomb is a sign of death, but it is not closed to Christ, whose action opens it and brings forth life. Conquering death, they will know that “I am the Lord”, he says.

The presence of the Spirit

Jesus is conscious of his mission, but he is also one of us, and as a friend he shared his friends’ pain and weeps with them.

The sisters think that Lazarus’ death is definitive, and they tell Jesus “There is already a stench”. Jesus remains steadfast and, knowing that the Father is listening to him, he gives thanks and cries aloud: “Lazarus come out”. He lifts him up, loosens what was binding him, and gives life to the man who was dead.

In the Reading from Romans, it says “The Spirit is life because of righteousness”. The Spirit dwells in us, and death is already overcome. So why is it so easy for us to become paralysed with fear, upset, anger and indifference?

Surely the presence of the Spirit should help us to see all that is good in our lives and our huge potential for bringing love and justice to others? We have been liberated from the mediocrity of a Christian life without vitality. We can have a Christian life in 3d, hi-definition, and surround sound, there is nothing stopping us.

I suppose though, we are a bit like Martha, we know the words, we know what God can do through us, but we just have that little voice telling us that it will all come to nothing.

Perhaps we are scared that life is, as Benjamin Franklin said “nothing is certain but death and taxes”.

Or perhaps we remember the first anthem in the Book of Common Prayer that reminds us that In the midst of life we are in death.

The saying might be In the midst of LIFE we are in DEATH. But we need to believe that In the midst of DEATH we are in LIFE. Reminding ourselves that God can lift us up and give us wholeness of life again, wherever we are, and whoever we are. Life that we are called to share with others; In the name of God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Revd Mark Lawson-Jones