Fifth Sunday in Lent
Hope overcomes despair for God’s people: this is the message of the readings for today. The hope of new life is evident in the story of “dry bones” from Ezekiel. The children of Israel declare their hope is lost. The prophet’s experience in the valley of dry bones inspires him to preach renewed hope to the people. Psalm 130 sings of hope in God and God’s word. The work of God’s Spirit gives hope of new life in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. The Gospel of John tells the hope-filled story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The gospel gives us encouraging words to sustain us through the approaching despair of Christ’s passion and brings us to the fulfillment of hope on Easter. Martha’s wistful words to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here. . . . But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him” (John 11:21-22), reflect the hope of God’s people in the face of despair, even in the face of death.
Each text encourages hearers to hope in God and God’s word. How do Christians experience unfulfilled hope? This is the challenge for those who interpret today’s texts for hearers. Israel’s woes are not at an end; other psalms tell of struggle and pain; the Christ-believers at Rome are persecuted; Jesus who raises Lazarus from the dead soon dies. And yet hope is fulfilled as Paul proclaims “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). Psalm 46 sings of God’s presence in time of trouble. A preview of the hope of the resurrection will sustain believers in these final days of Lent (John 20:17). The Christian’s confidence in the resurrection of the dead epitomizes their hope in Christ.
