Lazarus Saturday.
Hebrews 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45.
Read Hebrews 12:28-13:8
On the eve of Holy Week, we come to the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus’ close friend who has tragically died, in order to be strengthened in our hope. Throughout Holy Week we will come face-to-face with the consequences of Jesus speaking truth to power and the removal of the prince of this world and the winning of our salvation. From the outside looking in, we see failure: a Jewish revolutionary identified, tried and executed by Rome. But for those who have eyes to see, we recognize in all these actions the ushering in of a New Kingdom and the King of Glory reclaiming His Kingdom and His people. Lazarus being raised even before the Passion strengthens us in our hope and points us towards an eternal Kingdom. When things are difficult and we get lost in the pain or confusion of the moment, bring this healing to mind. Our Lord, who is “the same yesterday, today and forever,” is the Lord of life and death and of this present moment as well.
St. Cyril of Alexandria writes:
The Son of God, assuming our likeness and becoming human, not taking up what he was but taking on what he was [i.e., the divine condition] affects our salvation. For he remains, as Paul put it, the same yesterday and today and forever, without undergoing any change in his divinity by reason of his incarnation, but remaining what he was and will always be. (Easter Homily 1.6)