| Happy first day of spring! I love the way the weeks of Lent in the northern hemisphere often mean Crocus blooms push their way through the soil, trees turn purple with pregnant buds, and the birds return bringing with them the songs of the season. The cold earth and brittle stalks become flush with new life. I can’t help but think of resurrection, of new life, in the springtime! What are you doing with your new life? “What new life?” you might ask. The new life that you received when you were forgiven by Jesus and pointed in a new direction, his direction; the new life that emerged when you passed from the deadness of sin to the life that Christianity provides. As we prepare for Palm Sunday this week, there’s a lesson from the story of the Triumphal Entry that might help illustrate what I mean. Lazarus was one of Jesus’ best friends. They spent a lot of time together, and Jesus found Lazarus to be a person in whom he could confide. Jesus often stayed with Lazarus when he was near the town where Lazarus (and his sisters Mary and Martha) lived. When Lazarus died, it was a big deal to Jesus. Jesus went to the place where Lazarus was buried and (maybe you know the story already) he called Lazarus back to life! John says it best, “…the dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” John 11: 44a After instructing those standing by to help Lazarus get cleaned up and changed out of his burial clothes, Lazarus got busy living. Interestingly, John 11:55 says that many of the people who were present the day Lazarus came walking out of the tomb, went to the feast of the Passover. It was as this festival was beginning that Jesus rode into town and was heralded as a king. Scholars believe that Lazarus was very likely one of the grateful worshipers that day. So, remember my question at the beginning of this note? What are you doing with your new life? Lazarus took his newly revived life right to the place where Jesus was and offered him praise from the depths of his grateful soul. I think we would do well to imitate Lazarus. Let’s begin this week. Let’s welcome our congregations with the hopeful news that Jesus really is King, and he is riding right down the thoroughfares of our existence spreading love and renewal wherever he goes. Let us raise our voices and our hands. Here comes our King! Sam |
