Homily 03/26/2023

Grace Chicago Church

Fifth Sunday in Lent

John 11: 1-45

This Sunday we have the opportunity to sit with the incredible story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This passage includes a beautiful discourse between Mary of Bethany and Martha of Bethany (Lazarus’ sisters) who come to their Teacher, Jesus, with their grief and their questions. Together, we will ponder Mary and Martha’s grief, and the great grief that Jesus experiences in our text. What a Savior - One who holds our griefs and enters into them as well. This one, familiar with grief, identifies himself to us as the Resurrection and the Life. We will consider what this means for us in our lives. And with this story, we will anticipate the great grief and anguish of the cross yet to come, as well as the other side of that grief - new life and resurrection.