Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

This meditation is based on a passage for September 10, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 11:30-44

Reflection and Question: When Lazarus’ sister greets Jesus with the comment that her brother would not have died if Jesus had arrived sooner, He knows she is right and He joins her in weeping. As we have also been reading through Job, I pause to cherish C.G. Jung’s provocative Answer to Job, which is held in this shortest verse, “Jesus wept.” God’s response to Job, in the end, is to join our suffering, weeping with Job and Mary and each of us. At the same time, Jesus cries out, “Lazarus come out!” And he does. Why do you believe, because of Jesus’ weeping or because of His miraculous power?

Prayer: Mighty God, may your warning steer us to the way You have commanded us to walk. Open our eyes to false paths so that we may delight in You will and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.