Song: All glory, laud and honour,
"All Glory Laud And Honor" A 100 Voice assorted Choir & Orchestra - Classic Hymns Album - YouTube
Prayer:
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your son Jesus Christ, delivered and saved mankind; grant that by faith in Him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in them power of His victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to Your promises declared to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your Holy name. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 130
Song: The Spirit lives to set us free,
Reading: Ezekiel, chapter 37; verses 1 to 14
Reading: John’s gospel, chapter 11, verses 38 to 45
The last two weeks of Lent are called Passiontide. The fifth Sunday in Lent is called Passion Sunday. This is the story of Jesus’ two week journey to Jerusalem, and to destiny.
There are seven miracles, or signs, recorded in John’s gospel. They are there to show the reader who Jesus is. The first is the wedding at Cana, and the seventh is the resurrection of Lazarus.
This latter story in chapter 11, is right in them middle of the gospel, right at the heart of the story, written by an eyewitness, someone who was actually there.
Jesus has just arrived on the East side of the Jordan. We can assume that this was so that he could have a brief period of reflection, perhaps preparation time for what was coming. Then he gets a message, Lazarus is ill. Bethany is some way away, and is just two miles outside Jerusalem. Jesus says that they should go to Bethany. In spite of reservations from his disciples, he says they should go.
Then the message comes that Lazarus is dead. But Thomas urges them to continue.
When they arrived, it was to the news that Lazarus had been in them tomb for 4 days. Many mourners had arrived, apparently the family was well known.
Martha accosts Jesus and says that if he had been there, her brother would not have died. She goes on to say that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have died, but that even now she knew that Jesus had enormous power at his disposal.
When Jesus says that Lazarus will live again, she assumes that he is referring to the resurrection at the last day. Jesus then reassures her that He is the resurrection and the life. She agrees that she believes this.
Then Mary says the same thing. But is much more demonstrative, she falls at his feet, weeping. Once again, we see that Mary and Martha have different personalities.
In his turn, Jesus shows emotion. He is showing his humanity. But then he comes to the tomb and orders that the stone is taken away.
The ever practical Martha objects on the grounds that the smell will be too much, but the stone is removed and Jesus prays so that people will see and believe.
He tells Lazarus to come out, and then tells the people to remove the grave clothes and let him go.
This really puts the cat amongst the pigeons! This apparently humanitarian frightens the authorities.
It is a sign pointing to what will happen to Jesus, to the great power of God to do extraordinary things. The power to change Good Friday into Easter.
This prepares us for what is coming, it tells us that God is in control, and that he has a plan.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life; This is our hope.
Song: To God be the glory,
"To God Be The Glory" 150 Voice Mass Choir for Classic Hymns Ancient of Days Classic Hymns - YouTube
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