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4th Sunday in Lent

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Palm & Passion Sunday

Readings
 

Quotes & Notes on:     John 11:26    John Wesley's Notes:  (No comment on this verse).   Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: * whosoever. Joh 3:15-18; 4:14; 5:24; 6:50,54-58; 8:52; 10:28; Ro 8:13; 1Jo 5:10-12 * Believest. Joh 9:35; 14:10; Mt 9:28; 26:53; Mr 9:23   Adam Clarke's Commentary:  Shall never die.] Or, Shall not die for ever. Though he die a temporal death. he shall not continue under its power for ever; but shall have a resurrection to life eternal. Believest thou this?] God has determined to work in the behalf of men only in proportion to their faith in him: it was necessary, therefore, that these persons should be well instructed concerning his nature, that they might find no obstacles to their faith. These sisters had considered him only as a prophet hitherto; and it was necessary that they should now be farther instructed, that, as God was to exert himself, they might believe that God was there.   Family Bible Notes:   Liveth; yet enjoys natural life. Shall never die; the death of the soul. In this and the preceding verse Jesus designedly overlooks the death of the body, as if it were only a sleep in the grave for a season; his design being to direct the thoughts of Martha to himself, as the giver of a higher life than that which he is about to bestow upon her brother.   1599 Geneva Bible Notes:  (No comment on this verse).   People's New Testament Commentary:     Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Those dead, who believed in him, shall be raised and live, and those living who believe, shall never perish. Death will only be a change to a better existence.   Robertson's Word Pictures:    Shall never die (ou mê apothanêi eis ton aiôna). Strong double negative ou mê with second aorist active subjunctive of apothnêskô again (but spiritual death, this time), "shall not die for ever" (eternal death). Believest thou this? (pisteueis touto;) Sudden test of Martha's insight and faith with all the subtle turns of thought involved.   Albert Barnes' Commentary:  Whosoever liveth. He had just spoken of the prospects of the pious dead. He now says that the same prospects are before the living who have like faith. Greek, "Every one living and believing on me." Shall never die. As the dead, though dead, shall yet live, so the living shall have the same kind of life. They shall never come into eternal death. See Joh 6:50,51,54,58. Greek, "shall by no means die forever." Believest thou this? This question was doubtless asked because it implied that he was then able to raise up Lazarus, and because it was a proper time for her to test her own faith. The time of affliction is a favourable period to try ourselves to ascertain whether we have faith. If we still have confidence in God, if we look to him for comfort in such seasons, it is good evidence that we are his friends. He that loves God when he takes away his comforts, has the best evidence possible of true attachment to him. {q} "whosoever" Joh 3:15; 4:14   Jamieson-Faussett Brown:  (No comment on this verse).   Spurgeon Commentary:  (No comment on this verse).   William Burkitt's Notes:  (No comment on this verse).   Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:  (No comment on this verse).   The Fourfold Gospel:  (No comment on this verse).   Related Quotes:   He wrought the miracle with an air of absolute sovereignty, as the Lord of life and death. - Wesley, John, Notes Upon the New Testament, Vol. 1, on John 11:41 Resurrection is the reunion of a conscious soul to a body by it vitalized... Yet life, as often used, especially in John's Gospel, designates something over and above this... He is author not only of that mere life resulting from union of soul and body, but of the celestial life by which man is a glorified being.  We then paraphrase the words thus:  I am not only the physical resurrection, but I am the life celestial;  he that believeth in me, though he (like Lazarus) should die, yet the life celestial survives;  and he that (unlike Lazarus) is still alive, and is a bliever in me, shall never experience any death of that celestial life. - D.D. Whedon, Commentary on the Gospels, Vol.II:  Luke-John, p. 336 It was a popular belief that soul and body were finally separated after 3 days -- with no hope of resuscitation.  Lazarus' resurrection thus points to Jesus' resurrection.  The event forces decision on belief or disbelief in Jesus;  his enemies understand that the die is cast.  It is this decisiveness for faith, in a miracle that surpasses any possibility of rational explanation, that gives the incident its primary dramatic tension. - Massey H. Shepherd, Jr., Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary: John, p. 720 [This conversation] reveals Jesus' own approach to His mission.  He identifies Himself with the climax of His work, as if the resurrection had already taken place.  The greatest possible source of comfort in the hour of bereavement is the risen Lord.  It should be noted that resurrection comes before life, because for mortal men new life is the product of resurrection.  The availability of this life is by means of faith, which leads Jesus to the direct challenge, Do you believe this? - Donald Guthrie, New Bible Commentary, Revised (1970):  John, p. 954 Resurrection was not merely a distant prospect, but a present, life-giving power incarnate in Jesus. - A.J. Macleod, New Bible Commentary (1954):  John, p. 887 The resurrection of life in the believer through the indwelling Spirit [is] a present reality, however, that does not exclude but anticipates the final resurrection of the whole person at the final consummation. - Reginald H. Fuller, Preaching the Lectionary, p. 51 When we have read or heard the word of Christ, about the great things of the other world, we should put it to ourselves, Do we believe this truth? The crosses and comforts of this present time would not make such a deep impression upon us as they do, if we believed the things of eternity as we ought. - Matthew Henry, Concise Commentary, John 11:17-32 God has determined to work in the behalf of men only in proportion to their faith in him: it was necessary, therefore, that these persons should be well instructed concerning his nature, that they might find no obstacles to their faith. - Clarke, Adam, Adam Clarke's Commentary, John 11:26 He that loves God when he takes away his comforts, has the best evidence possible of true attachment to him. - Barnes, Albert, New Testament Commentary, John 11:26 Death will only be a change to a better existence. - People's New Testament Commentary,  John 11:26 Christ tells her that he had that power lodged in his own hand, that the dead were to hear his voice Joh 5:25, whence it was easy to infer, He that could raise a world of men that had been dead many ages could doubtless raise one man that had been dead but four days. Note, It is an unspeakable comfort to all good Christians that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and will be so to them. Resurrection is a return to life; Christ is the author of that return, and of that life to which it is a return. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, and Christ is both; the author and principle of both, and the ground of our hope of both. - Matthew Henry, Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 1051 Could she not see the glory of God without believing?  No.  Can you see the stars without the telescope?  What can you see with the naked eye?  You have invented lenses that can search a leaf, a grass-blade, or a water-drop, and that can search the infinite spaces of the heavens, -- here is a lens called Faith by which we see the glory of God.  If men will not use the telescope, do you proclaim the universe a blank, saying, "Even the street lamps have been put out, and death reigns in all the arch of the sky?"  You say to such people, "You ought to use the means."  But when the theologian or the Christian or the apostle says, "You ought to use the means," he is called a fanatic.  People who distrust the naked eye in everything want the naked reason to discover the metaphysics of the universe.  This cannot be done... So say those who teach the inner and upper mysteries of the kingdom eternal:  Brother, get the focus right;  see that the glass suits your eye;  see that you are on the line of vision;  see that no hindrance is in the way intercepting the revelation.  "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" - Joseph Parker, People's Bible, Vol. 22, p.242-243

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Observations, ideas & reflections
about the lectionary readings & topics

• Each of the Gospel teachings/miracles during our Lenten journey seem to be foreshadowing the Kingdom of God. While this miracle is amazing, Lazarus eventually died again. The real miracle foreshadowed here is the new and unending life we will have in the Kingdom of Heaven.
  -  Twitchell, Jonathan,  Pastor Jon's Lectionary Journal , Cape Elizabeth, Maine

• Welcome to the new Blog! Please add your thoughts about the lectionary readings and topics! Thanks!
  -  Bill Lawson,  www.Briensburg-MtCarmel.org , Briensburg & Mt. Carmel Parish, UMC, Benton KY

Hymns
 
 

Ezekiel  37:1-14

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of
     the valley which was full of bones,
2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were
     very dry.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and
     ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones
     came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was
     no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
     Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an
     exceeding great army.
11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried,
     and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and
     cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of
     your graves,
14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the
     LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

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Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the
     morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

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Romans 8:6-11

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the
     Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
     quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

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John 11:1-45

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was
     sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be
     glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth
     the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out
     of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and
     calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and
     went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou
     hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and
     was troubled.
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should
     not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he
     stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father,
     I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that
     thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a
     napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

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• Common Readings Derived from Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright 1992 Consultation on Common Texts

 

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