Lazarus Saturday
Scripture: Hebrews 12:28-29; 13:1-8 and John 11:1-45
Oops!
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that the opening chapters of Genesis set the stage for the rest of the Bible. We live in a fallen world—where there is pain, suffering, and evil—so it’s no surprise that the Bible first wants to address the “why.”
Why is the world so corrupt? It’s because we turned away from God. We envied him. We wanted his power. But, grasping for something that was beyond our reach wasn’t good for us—we weren’t ready. So, our envy turned to shame, and that led us into slavery: Sold into bondage to Death.
Today, as we officially begin Holy Week, and journey with our Lord to his voluntary passion, the Church sets before us a beginning that reminds us of Genesis.
As we hear of Lazarus’s death and four-day entombment, we are reminded that this is our end as well. One day, we will also be given over to Death. And, though we may not be wrapped in bandages as Lazarus was, our bodies will begin to decay and stink.
As we begin our journey towards Pascha and our own liberation, we are reminded of why this journey is necessary. We are reminded that no matter how advanced we become, or how smart we are, we are all slaves of Death.
Ugh!
And, what is Death?
It’s many things actually.
Firstly, Death is devastating, even for the living. Lazarus’s friends are found to be weeping and need to be consoled. Jesus himself is so deeply troubled that he “groaned in his spirit and yielded himself to his turmoil,” and he even weeps.
It’s also a separation—a separation from our loved ones, a separation of our bodies from our souls, and before Christ, a separation from God.
It’s also an end; an end to consciousness, an end to freedom, an end to health, an end to life.
According to St. Paul, death is also a tyrant. It dominates us, swallowing up our lives so completely that none of us can escape. It judges us, condemning us to a bleak sentence. It operates in us, consuming what vitality we have in this life. It is a master that enslaves us with no prospects of freedom.
As we look forward to Pascha and gaze upon Lazarus in the tomb, we are reminded that death is our reality.
Aha!
And, yet, when Jesus hears that his friend is close to death, he isn’t scared. In fact, he delays, waiting until only after Lazarus’s death to make his journey to Bethany.
To his disciples, he starts talking in a funny way, “… for your sakes I rejoice that I was not there, so that you may trust.”
In his encounter with Martha, he does not give his sympathies. Instead, he says, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever trusts me, even if he should die, shall live.”
When he sees Mary, he simply mutters to those around him, “Where have you laid him?”
And, when he finally reaches Lazarus’s tomb, he looks up and utters to God, “I give you thanks that you have heard me … I have spoken on account of the crowd … so that they might trust that you have sent me.”
This doesn’t sound like a man who is scared of Death. Instead, we see man on a mission—a mission to confront Death, face-to-face. And, in a few days time, he will.
But, today, we see Jesus win a battle over Death—a foreshadowing of the complete victory that is to come in a week’s time.
Whee!
Though Martha tells Jesus, “I have trusted that you are the Anointed, the Son of God who is coming into the cosmos,” the crowds aren’t so sure.
At the command to open the tomb, they complain about the smell, “Lord, by now it gives off a bad odor.” Nonetheless, the tomb is opened, and a living Lazarus comes forth.
As he does so, Jesus commands, “Unbind him and let him go.” To us it might sound simply like a request to take off the bandages, but, I think, it’s something more. I think it’s a command to Death: Unbind the fetters of slavery and release him unto life.
And, this is precise what Jesus will do. He will enter into Hades, destroying its gates, and confront Death. All will be liberated, from Adam and Eve to the last living person, whoever that will be.
Death is no longer devastating: It’s simply the threshold to life.
Death is no longer a separation: It’s the path that leads to union with the resurrected Christ.
Death is no longer an end: It’s the beginning of a new Age.
Death is no longer a tyrant, for he has been defeated.
Yeah!
And, so, with Lazarus we have been freed from slavery to Death. We are freed to enter into the Kingdom, to enjoy the spoils that Christ has won for us.
And, just as Christ thanked God, so too shall we. And, this is why we heard St. Paul say today,
“… let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe … Let brotherly love continue. … show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison … and those who are ill-treated … Let marriage be held in honor …. Keep your life free from love of money … Remember … those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their trust.”
Trusting in Christ, as Martha proclaimed, is the beginning of our liberation. Trusting in Christ, as Lazarus did as he lay dead in the tomb, is the beginning of new life.
And, so, as we begin the most important week in our calendar, we trust—we trust in Christ as the resurrection and life of our souls and bodies.
Amen.