Lent

March 21, 2023

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’ –Ezekiel 37:11-14

Now is the time to let God lift us from the graves of depression and hopelessness and step forward to assume our job assignment of building the Beloved Community. Many years ago, a church class I attended studied a book that asks and explores the answer to the question, am I, Lazarus? That is the Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha (see John 11), not the Lazarus who was welcomed into the bosom of Abraham (see Luke 13-16).

Lazarus was dead and wrapped in grave clothing that would not allow him to move even if he were alive until Jesus called him out of the tomb and instructed those present to unbind him and let him go. How much do we bind ourselves by the world’s challenges, which limits our ability to be the Body of Christ in our world today? How much do we bind others by our attitudes and fears? How can we unbind ourselves and step out in faith to build the Kingdom of God? How can we enable all those around us to fully be the person God created them to be in God’s service?

The story of Lazarus was recorded as happening on Jesus’s trek to the cross and his resurrection. As we observe Lent on our way to Easter, let us examine ourselves and ask for God’s help in removing what is limiting our ability to fully engage in completing our assignments in building the Beloved Community and do our part in enabling others to find their niche in serving the Lord with gladness.

Prayer: Lord, unbind us from what keeps us from serving you more nearly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.