Pastor’s Corner – I (We) Believe
“I am the resurrection and the Life… Do you believe this?” During the church season of Lent, as part of the build up to Easter, we explored the account of Lazarus. In this account, Jesus’ friend Lazarus dies and his two sisters await Jesu’s arrival. Upon His arrival, Jesus reminds the women in their grief that He Himself is the resurrection and the Life. And then that all important question; “Do you believe this?”
Much discussion has been had over the centuries about what Jesus meant by this. Without vocal tone or facial expression we are left to interpret this through the immediate context and the context of scripture. Ultimately Jesus is asking them if their heart and mind are responding to the situation in the truth of faith or the perceptions of the flesh.
In this season after Easter, we will be exploring what Christians actually believe about God and His relationship with the world. As part of this we will be inviting one another to look at how we are responding to God’s truth. Are our actions, emotions and thoughts dictated by the perceptions and realities of this world, or are we able to rise above them by the power of God at work within us?
The perceptions of the flesh are not lies, they are real. In fact, they are so real that our perceptions often control our actions. For example, the heartache of Lazarus’ death was causing much stress and grief for his sisters and tension in their relationship conversations with Jesus. Jesus’ loving but firm reminder that Lazarus would rise again acts as a mirror to the sisters. Grief is real, stress is real, worry is real, sin is real. So real that we cannot and could not solve it ourselves. God became flesh to overcome and give us the victory.
Christ is risen and His resurrection is our resurrection. His victory is our victory. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave is given to each of us to battle and overcome our daily challenges. Do you believe this?
Just as Jesus’ question served to challenge the sisters, we too will be challenged by God’s truth. Just as Jesus comforted and strengthened them by His presence, He too will comfort and strengthen us. And just as Lazarus was transformed from death to life before their very eyes, we too are transformed daily by the grace of God in us. This We believe! I pray that this belief and faith will grow and lead us during these next few weeks as we celebrate Easter and our faith in the promises of God fulfilled.
“The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
His servant and yours,
Pastor Erik Gauss
Scripture Readings for Sunday, April 23, 2023
Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 24:13–35
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