5th Sunday in Lent

This past Sunday, Pastor Amanda reflected on Jesus’ delayed arrival at Lazarus’ death to show that, even in resurrection hope, Jesus fully enters human grief, giving us permission to weep while still living into the promise of abundant, resurrected life.

You can read the manuscript by clicking on the link above.

Reflection Questions:

1. Martha and Mary express anger and disappointment toward Jesus for not arriving sooner. Where do you see yourself relating to their response in times of grief or loss?

2. The sermon emphasizes how important it is to note that “Jesus began to weep”—why do you think Jesus’ grief matters so deeply in this story?

3. How does Jesus’ willingness to weep challenge common religious or cultural expectations about faith, strength, and suffering? 

4. Pastor suggested we often explain death by blaming God; how have you seen this play out in your own experience or in your community? 

5. What does it mean to you to “live into this resurrected life” now, rather than viewing resurrection as only something that happens after death? 

6. How can we hold space for both honest grief and resurrection hope without rushing people out of sorrow?

Prayer: 

God of life, you meet us in our grief and do not turn away from our tears; as Jesus wept with those he loved, teach us to trust that you are present in sorrow as well as in hope.
Free us from the need to explain our pain away, and instead give us the courage to name our loss, receive your grace, and live now as people of the resurrection, serving our neighbors with compassion until all things are made new in Christ, the resurrection and the life. Amen.