Loading...I AM....
I AM the resurrection and the life!
What a bold statement Jesus makes to his friend and disciple Martha: I AM the resurrection and the life!
But isn’t that what God is up to all throughout the story?
In the chaotic waters of creation...
God’s spirit-breath moved over the waters:
Resurrection and life.
Out of the burning bush that Moses encountered...
“I AM...” says the voice of God:
Resurrection and life.
In the vision of the valley of dry bones...
God’s spirit breathes life into the reconstructed people:
Resurrection and life.
In this resurrection of Lazarus...
Jesus calls forth God’s Spirit to enliven Lazarus:
Resurrection and life.
In the flat, dry, lifeless, or stagnant places in your own life...
God’s Spirit breathes newness and refreshment:
Resurrection and life.
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Both of our stories in Scripture today are stories of resurrection and life,
but with meaning on several levels, not just the one that is apparent.
Ezekiel the prophet has a vision one day from God.
In this vision, the hand of the Lord takes Ezekiel to a dry, dusty valley –
a place that has not seen any rain for months (years, in fact),
a place that is avoided and is unclean because it is filled with bones,
human bones all in a jumble.
In this vision, Ezekiel is faced with despair and hopelessness,
just like the hopelessness and despair that the Israelites who were in Exile in Babylon were feeling:
lifeless, homeless, cut off, and unclean in their valley.
They thought they were abandoned by God. Lost.
(A feeling that you yourself may be familiar with)
In this vision, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones,
to the lifeless and despairing house of Israel, and
then God breathes life into the bones and the bodies.
In this vision, Ezekiel experiences
life in the midst of the direst situation
and hope in the face of despair.
And then Ezekiel is commanded to share the vision,
to tell the Good News of this vision to the whole house of Israel:
that God has heard their lament,
that God renews the promise,
that the weight of oppression and
the burden of having turned away from God is lifted,
that they are released from bondage to hopelessness and despair.
Ezekiel is to share the timeless Good News of resurrection and life for the whole people of God.
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In John’s gospel, another “sign” story is told. There have been a number of these stories (water into wine, providing enough bread for the crowds, healing the man born blind). This time – the raising of Lazarus – it is a bold sign that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
All of these “sign” stories help us to see, understand, and believe that Jesus is the incarnate God – God in human flesh – and that Jesus is the life and hope of and for the world.
[Tell story in Lazarus’ death and raising in John 11:1-45]
As powerful as this story is, it is included in our Holy Scripture,
and is passed down and shared over and over again
NOT because it is about a family crisis in Bethany,
or even because it is Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus who has died.
We have this story of the resuscitation of Lazarus by Jesus –
the Messiah, the Son of God –
because it is an example, a slice of life, if you will,
of the crisis of the world that is caught and is bound in
death, lifelessness, and despair.
We have this story of new life called out because it shows us
the life and resurrection that God has offered to the world.
To us.
To you.
God is alive and active in these stories—and throughout the Bible –
in our lives, and in the lives of people throughout time and space.
God is not passively watching the world bumble along,
but in subtle and in bold ways is alive and active in the world.
God is involved with us in spite of mediocre or lukewarm faith:
Ezekiel is hardly the paragon of enthusiasm!
God is active, even if we don’t quite get it:
Martha’s confession is bold and faithful,
but she doesn’t actually answer Jesus’ questions
nor make the confession,
the really bold assertion that Jesus is the resurrection and life.
But the rest of the Good News of today’s stories
is that this resurrection and life that God gives
is not contingent upon our enthusiasm, nor profession of faith,
nor upon our “correct” confession of faith!
God is blowing the Spirit of life in and through you
when you are feeling, lost, abandoned, dried up, useless, or hopeless.
God weeps with you in the times of confusion, anger, indignation, and grief.
God opens the graves of your little deaths to revive you to life, hope, and joy.
God calls out to you even when you fear to challenge, provoke, encourage, and comfort.
God offers God’s own self to you
in resurrection and life and boldly proclaims to the whole world:
“I AM...
“I AM the resurrection and life
“Trust in me for life and joy.”
Amen
