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Columba Comments...
Short reflections written by members of our
congregation
1 November 2009
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Scripture: John 11.32-44
Exploration
We take a momentary
break from Mark to celebrate All Saints Day, with a reading from
John’s Gospel. As usual in John, this miracle has both a literal
meaning—resuscitating Lazarus’ life, and a symbolic meaning -- the
giving of life to all people whom Jesus loves. Physical death and
life is illustrated by Lazarus, spiritual death as separation from
God and spiritual life as connection with God. Both are part of
John's message in this text. Here are some possible symbolic
meanings:
1. Jesus ‘calls’ the dead man: ‘Come out’. Jesus calls us to follow,
to die to self so God’s power can work in us.
Faith enables us to ‘see’ the glory of God. Those who want to kill
Jesus do not have faith to see the glory.
2. Jesus’ word opens up our world “take away the stone”, brings life
“come out” and freedom “unbind him”.
The disciples don’t understand and misunderstand. Despite this they
still follow Jesus and will eventually ‘see’ Jesus’ glory in the
resurrection.
3. Lazarus is dead and unable to do anything himself, except receive
the power God gives. We ‘die’ in baptism and in daily repentance,
and receive new life that raises us beyond our inadequacies.
4. After the fourth day, the hovering spirit has departed—this is
clearly an act of God, not a natural recovery. God has acted.
Isaiah predicts this new life. We aren't given an earthly means for
overcoming all disasters and tragedies, we are given a glimpse of a
world in which death is swallowed up forever and 'God will wipe away
the tears from all faces' (v. 25.8)
Again, this is affirmed in the symbolic-loaded of Revelation. The
new heaven and earth is not simply the old renovated but an act of
new creation. It is fresh, new in quality and character.
Questions for Reflection
- We speak little about death, except at funerals. Is this a
mistake?
- Do you have faith to see God’s glory in the little daily
events?
- What does it mean to ‘die to self’? Do you experience God’s
power as a result?
- Do you think Lazarus changed as a result of his experience?
How?
- Saints are believers. Saints are both living and departed. Are
you a saint? What is a saint?
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