I Am the Resurrection and the Life.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we come closer to the end of Lent, the Church gives us one of the most powerful Gospel stories — the raising of Lazarus.

This is not just a miracle.
It is a revelation of who Jesus truly is.

1. Jesus Enters Our Suffering

When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, He does something surprising — He delays.

By the time He arrives, Lazarus has already been dead for four days.

Martha says:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Many of us can relate to this:

• “Lord, where were you?”
• “Why didn’t you act?”

But Jesus is not absent.
He enters the situation at the right time — not just to heal, but to reveal something greater.

👉 God’s delays are not denials. They are often preparing a greater blessing.

2. Jesus Weeps

One of the shortest and most powerful verses in the Bible:

“Jesus wept.”

Even though He knows He will raise Lazarus, Jesus still weeps.

This shows us:

• God understands our pain
• God shares in our suffering
• God is not distant from our struggles

👉 We have a Savior who feels with us.

3. “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Jesus tells Martha:

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.”

This is the heart of today’s message.

Jesus does not just give life.
👉 He is Life itself.

He has power over:

• sickness
• sin
• death

4. “Roll Away the Stone”

Before raising Lazarus, Jesus commands:

“Take away the stone.”

The stone represents what blocks life in us:

• sin
• fear
• doubt
• unforgiveness

Jesus could have removed it Himself, but He asks others to do it.

👉 God invites our cooperation in our own healing.

5. “Lazarus, Come Out!”

Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb.

And Lazarus comes out — still wrapped in burial cloths.

Then Jesus says:

“Untie him and let him go.”

This shows that new life has begun, but it must continue.

Even after God gives us new life, we still need:

• growth
• conversion
• freedom from old habits

6. Our Lenten Call

As Lent is coming to an end, the Church asks us:

👉 What in my life is “dead”?
👉 What needs to be brought back to life?

Jesus is standing before us, calling us out of:

• sin
• despair
• spiritual laziness

Conclusion

Dear friends,

The Fifth Sunday of Lent prepares us for Easter by reminding us that death is not the end.

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

May we hear His voice, come out of whatever holds us back, and walk in the new life He offers.

Amen.