Life Is Good

 

I am the resurrection and the life.   He who believes  in me, though he die, yet shall he live.   
John 11:25

These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.  
 John 20:31

The story of Lazarus’ restoration from death to life will be retold throughout the ages.   Among its memorable characteristics is its narrative quality, a story told as though recounted to the Gospel-writer by one who was there when Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out.    Jesus moved in a circle of friendships of which we have only glimpses:   the family whose daughter was to be married in Cana (John 2:1–11), the family of Peter, whose wife’s mother Jesus healed.  The mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee, who felt free to ask for the best places for her two sons was no stranger (Matthew 20:21).  For one of the Twelve Jesus had such regard that from the cross His mother was committed to that disciple’s care (John 19:27).  The family, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus enjoyed Jesus’ friendship in an especially tender way.   Lazarus, He had raised to life after a fatal sickness and it was in their house that Mary had anointed Jesus’ feet with spikenard ointment and dried them with her hair (John 12:2).               Continue reading “Fifth Sunday in Lent”