All the Son of God wants is a relationship with us

Continued from page 17 further and deeper in understanding, and amazingly reveals himself to her as the Messiah for whose coming both the Jews and Samaritans were awaiting. She is the first person to whom he reveals this information, according to John’s gospel, and this is remarkable, Jesus revealing his Messiah-ship (as it were) to a Samaritan and a woman, no less! Jesus’ disciples are astounded that he is even in conversation with a Samaritan woman, a total break of proper behaviour for a Jewish man. Who she was didn’t matter to Jesus; Jesus comes to all who are seeking the living water of faith. And we recognized, as the Samaritan woman came to realize, that within all of us is a deep thirst for faith, for a deep experiential relationship with God in Christ. Our thirst will only be really slaked in this relationship, and within that is eternal life.

The following week we heard the incredible miracle of a man born blind receiving his sight. That had never happened before, and was a very telling sign – only a man of God could give sight to one born blind, even the Pharisees who controlled the interpretation of Jewish religious laws had to agree to that. But the Pharisees couldn’t believe Jesus had done it, because the man was healed on the Sabbath, clearly forbidden by their laws, and according to their traditions, only God could heal on a Sabbath. They turned a blind eye; they refused to see Jesus for who he is. They called the once-blind man back repeatedly, questioned his parents, questioned the crowd who witnessed it, and still they wouldn’t, or couldn’t, believe.

The newly-sighted man, very bravely, stands his ground, challenging the tribunal to open their own eyes and see what has happened. And the religious officials kick the formerly-blind man out of the synagogue – as effective as excommunication.

This man has received his sight, but has lost his community; his family. Jesus hears about it and seeks the once-blind man out. Finding him, he reveals who he is, and the once-blind man sees Jesus now with spiritual eyes! Jesus understood the implications of the newly-sighted man’s standing his ground against the authorities.

This part of the story for me is so absolutely wonderful and reassuring.

And, then the biggest miracle story ever – the raising of Lazarus –after being entombed for four days. According to the prophets ,when the Messiah came, lepers would be cleansed, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, and the dead would be raised. This story is literally central to John’s theology of Jesus – it’s actually smack dab in the centre of his gospel.

Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were cherished friends of Jesus. When Jesus received word that Lazarus was deathly ill, he didn’t leave to go to Bethany right away, he deliberately waited two more days. The disciples at first thought it was because when he was last in Bethany, the people tried to stone him. But Jesus tells them no, this illness “will not be the death of Lazarus; (but) this has happened in order to bring glory to God, and it will be the means by which the Son of God will receive Glory.” (11: 45)

Now, why would Jesus have tarried until Lazarus was dead for four days? The common belief of the time was that the spirit of one deceased hung around the body until three days after death and then departed. By waiting until the fourth day, there would be no question that what Jesus was about to do would be something that only God could do.

Jesus is met along the way by first Martha, then Mary, both of whom say to him, “My brother wouldn’t have died if you’d been here, but God will give you what you ask of him”. Even in their grief, they have faith in Jesus as Son of God, the Messiah. Martha and Mary both understand who Jesus is. An interesting aside to make here as well, “…women make more and better theological statements in the Gospel of John than their male counterparts.”

And how does Jesus respond to the grief that is around him? He is deeply moved. “Greatly disturbed in spirit,” John tells us that, not once, but twice. And Jesus too cries, which tells us so much about Jesus. He knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead and that there would be great rejoicing over that, but still Jesus felt their pain, and grief and it touched him. And he shared that pain and cried with them.

Jesus orders the stone to be rolled away from the tomb, and prays aloud and orders Lazarus to come out! And Lazarus walked out of the tomb, still bound in his burial linens, restored to life! Who else but God can raise the truly dead?

Our Lenten journey through the scriptures thus far has given us an amazing picture of Jesus. Jesus is the one who understands what it is to be tested and tempted, understands our struggles to stay on the right path. Jesus is the one who seeks us out, who can slake our thirst for a living experience of a full and deep relationship with our God. Jesus is the one who challenges us to see the hand of God in our lives in different ways, and then comes to us when we’re learning to adjust and live our lives according to The Way, the ways of Jesus. Jesus is the one who understands hurt and sorrow, grief and anguish, and is with us during those times, sharing them with us, and then is able to bring healing to us through the pain.

This is the Son of God, the light of the world, who wants nothing more than for us to be in relationship with him. And this is what gives us eternal life, a life with Christ and in Christ, living in the ways and teachings of Christ. This is Jesus, the Christ who gave his life for us, and calls us to come to him, so that we may live in him and he in us.

Thanks be to God for the gift of the risen Christ. Amen.

To prepare for the Blyth history book that will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the village, a group of people is researching the businesses on Queen Street for the period of 1977 through to 2027. We would welcome any stories and memories that readers of The Citizen could share with us.

In particular, information is needed for the property, 402 Queen Street, used as a restaurant, that was owned by Frank Gong, Skip McMullen, Mr. Watson, George and Dorothy Oster, Valerie Dale, Pauline Webster and a Mr. Volland.

As well, information about former owners and operators of the site at 408 Queen Street, where Lisa Thompson’s office is now located, would be appreciated. Thank you, Pat Hunking Box # 351 Blyth, N0M 1H0 Margaret McInroy mcinroy.margandrick@gmail.com