Lazarus, Come Out!

Most of our gospel readings this Lent are from John, the gospel of signs by which Jesus shows that he is God. We had the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well from John chapter 4, a story that goes on to Jesus returning to Cana and performing his second great sign, healing a dying child by Word alone.

This past Sunday we heard from John chapter 9 in which Jesus gives sight to a man born blind, something never done before and a sure sign of Jesus being from God. 

This coming Sunday our gospel is from John chapter 11. Lazarus is ill. Jesus says the illness is so that he may be glorified -- so that the ultimate sign may be performed. 

Everyone knows the story.

Lazarus dies.

Jesus goes to Bethany. Lazarus’ sister Martha goes out to meet him. She tells Jesus that if he had come earlier Lazarus would not have died. 

Your brother will rise again.

I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

I AM the resurrection and the life.

Lazarus’ sister Mary goes out to meet Jesus and she also tells him that if he had come earlier Lazarus would not have died.

Take away the stone.

Lord, there will be a stench, he has been dead four days.

Jesus prays to the Father, then

Lazarus, come out! 

and the dead man emerges from the tomb. 

Only God could perform such a sign.

And by Word alone. 

This is what John’s gospel is all about, Jesus Christ, God the Son, the creating Word. John proclaims it right at the beginning:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through the Word, and without the Word not one thing came into being. What has come into being in the Word was life ... 

The Word was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him ... 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son ... No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. 

God the only Son. 

God the Word. 

Lazarus, come out.

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