The Raising of Lazarus

The Raising of Lazarus Icon (image credit: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/04/04/19-the-raising-of-lazarus-lazarus-saturday)

Six days after my Chrismation into the Orthodox Christian faith, I attended Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday. The Gospel reading was from the Gospel according to St. John, chapter 11, verses 1-44.

In this reading, I heard something I’ve heard many times over the years: Jesus says, “I am the ressurection and the life” (verse 25).

But I didn’t understand the context until this morning.

In the story, Jesus is comforting Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha says that if only Jesus had been there, her brother would not have died.

Jesus answers that her brother will rise again.

Martha responds and says she knows that Lazarus will rise “in the resurrection at the last day.”

And here is where Jesus replies, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

As in - “No, Martha, you mustn’t wait until then. I am the resurrection, and I am here right now. Believe in me.”

I felt goosebumps and a swelling of emotion when I heard that this morning.

I pray you also find encouragement, experience joy, and strengthen your faith through the Gospel stories as we approach Pascha!