A Message from Pastor Kaji

I was blown away by worship last week! If you happened to miss it, I highly recommend tuning in. And if you were inspired by the book I discussed in the sermon, I highly encourage you to find it here (at this Black Woman-owned bookstore).

This week, we’re in the Gospel of John in one of my favorite stories: the raising of Lazarus. The full story from John 11 is pretty long, so you’ll only hear a piece of it. While I’ll summarize in the sermon, I do recommend that you take a look at the full chapter before you come, so that it’s fresh. As you prepare, I encourage you to consider the following: what does Jesus’ reaction to Lazarus’ illness and death mean to you?

It’s a rich text and I can’t wait to dive in with you on Sunday.

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

Scripture: John 11:17-27 (Year A, p. 314):

17 When Jesus arrived [in Bethany], he found that for four days Lazarus had already been in the tomb. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 So, many of the Judeans had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she met him, however Mary remained at the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Rabbi, if you had been here, my brother would never have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even though they die, they will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Rabbi, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who comes into the world.”