If You Believe, You Will See the Glory of God ~ by Ronnie Archer

The theme of today's reading is resurrection and eternal life.

In the first reading of Ezekiel, the people were walking in exile and could not see the hand of God. God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, by telling the people, "God will open your graves and have you rise from them," offering hope to them that they would return to their own homeland.

The reading from Romans tells us that there is no pleasing God if we are in the flesh; BUT if Christ is in us, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit within is alive. If the Spirit of God who raised Jesus dwells within us, then He will give life to our mortal bodies.

In John's Gospel, we hear that Lazarus, whom Jesus dearly loved, fell ill and his sisters sending word to inform Jesus. When Jesus heard this He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, rather, it is for God's glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified."

Jesus did not go to Bethany immediately, but waited until after three days had passed, because the Jewish belief was that the spirit remained in the body for three days after death. Jesus wanted to be sure that no question would be raised about the reality of Lazarus' death; then Lazarus' resurrection would be more believable to them.

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, He directed them to "remove the stone," but Martha, Lazarus' sister, said: "It's been four days now, there would be a stench"... to which Jesus replied: "Did I not assure you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God displayed?" They took away the stone and Jesus looked up and thanked the Father for hearing Him. He knew that God always heard Him, but He had to do this for the sake of the crowd that had gathered, so that they would believe that God sent Him.

Jesus called Lazarus out and he came out with hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus commanded them to "untie him and let him be free." Then many of those who came to console Martha and Mary, seeing what He did, came to believe in Him.

Jesus wants the opportunity to give God glory. We have to be open to whatever God wants to do in our lives, even though we might not understand it. When God breathes, He gives new life. To be with Christ means to be in His Spirit. His Spirit is love, forgiveness, humility, compassion and service.

Gathering together is a gift of God. Every time we assemble to worship God, we make use of this gift, because one more soul goes to heaven. Every gathering can bring God's goodness.

Jesus wants us to believe that He is the Messiah and believing in Him brings eternal life.

Let us pray for every one's salvation, making use of the gift. Take action and God will bless this. Risen life begins when we believe in the risen Lord; not when we die.


~ Fifth Sunday of Lent ~