Sunday, March 30, 2014

April 6, 2014 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

Breaking Open the Scriptures Scriptures for April 6th: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans :6-11; John 11:1-45; Theme: the miracles of Jesus bring life; Song: He Lives UMH 310 John: Jesus comes into the world to turn everything that we understand about life on its head. And today it is death. We think that life comes before death, and Jesus is teaching us that death comes before life. We don’t have to be afraid of death, because there is a connection to life. Unfortunately, Jesus wont be able to come to bring any of us back to life, as he did for Lazarus. But he did teach us how to roll away the stone for others. There are many people in the world who are alive and well in the tomb. They are alive, but they are trapped and living in darkness. Jesus says that as Christians, we have to power to help others see a better life. We are all like Mary, we believe that if Jesus has been there for us, then things would have been different. When we are suffering, we want someone to make things better. As a Christian, you have the power to make things better. To be present for people. Being present doesn’t always mean having the answers, it means having faith. Jesus would never have been able to comfort Mary and Martha, or to answers the concern of if he had been present this would not have happened. Instead Jesus tells them that he is the resurrection and the life and to have faith. This man Jesus has power over conditions, over suffering and over death- he is the source of our salvation. We don’t always have to have the answers, we can have the faith. Death has already come, now it is time for us to see what comes next in faith and life. Questions: Who do you know that is suffering right now? How can you bring them comfort? How can you bring them to Jesus Christ? How have you experienced death? What about new life? how does your faith help you get through the tough times in life?