Unbound

"Unbind Him" by Hannah Garrity of A Sanctified Art

It is incredible to think, but we are only one week away from Holy Week. It feels like Lent has flown by.

Before we get there, though, we have this one final story of wonder and amazement.

In the gospel of John, just before Jesus travels to the holy city and as he is doing his ministry, he gets word that his best friend is sick. In fact, he is dying. Still, Jesus keeps going with what he is doing - and we are never told why.

So, when Jesus finally arrives at Bethany, Lazarus, his very best friend, has died. Several days ago. And is buried. And stinking.

His best friend's big sister greets him, weeping and tells him that if he had just been here, her brother would still be alive. And how many times have we yelled this at God? "If you had just done this or that, my ___________ would be alive and well!!!"

But then Martha does something that most of us would not - "but I know that with you, all will be well."

And Jesus does the thing that puts the final nail in his cross in John: he raises Lazarus from the dead.

Lazarus comes out still wrapped up like a mummy. With the smell of the grave on him. His feet bound together.

Jesus tells them to "unbind him."

What once was dead, now is alive. And yet, we still keep him bound.

What holds us bound in this life? What do we hold onto? What holds on to us?

Blessings,

Rev. Janie