26-Mar-23 (John 11:1-45)

Meditation:

So, Lazarus is raised from the dead.  Raised to do what?  Sure, every time one of the people who were present at that resurrection sees Lazarus walking around, they'll think about the power of God who raised him, but neither Jesus nor God seem to be really concerned with bringing faith through signs and wonders in John's Gospels.  We might ask ourselves the same question as we come to this Table.  We remember the sacrifice and death of Jesus.  We know that "by his stripes we are healed."  We know we are reconciled with God.  For what?

2 Corinthians 5:18 tells us that we are reconciled to God in order for us to take up the ministry of reconciliation.  That's the "for what."  God loves each of us so dearly that even the suffering and death of God's son was not too much to give to bring us back into right relationship with God.  As we remember that, it becomes our task to take that Good News out into our world to all those who are still waiting to hear it.

We are blessed to be a blessing.  We are given life to become life-givers.  We are lifted up that we might raise others.

Let us pray.

Prayer:

God of us all,
We thank you for your sacrifice and death that open the way for our relationship with you.  We thank you for these symbols of that sacrifice, the bread and cup, that represent your body and blood.  We thank you that they help us remember your unfailing love for us.
Now, fill us with your Spirit, Lord, that we may carry the Good News of your Love to all who will hear.  Let us be your hands, feet, and voice in a world that longs for reconciliation.

In the Name of Jesus, the Christ, AMEN.