Faithful Friends

Dear Friends,

 

I am writing this short letter from a place of frustration and weakness. (You might recognise those two experiences in your own life at the moment!). I have been out of action with coronavirus symptoms for the past two weeks, and although I don’t feel as unwell as I have done, I am unable to do a number of things that I’d like to do.

This virus has affected us all in direct and indirect ways, some much more seriously than others, and my own frustrations are to do with not being able to take part in leading worship or preaching over this Easter season. I am grateful to Sarah and the team for carrying this forward.

I’m sure that you have your own feelings of frustration, and your own unanswered questions about where life is going and what securities there are in these present, uncertain times.

In my bible reading this morning at the beginning of Holy Week, I was pointed to Jesus who chose to spend time in Bethany with people who were closest to him (see John 12:1-11) – not the disciples, but his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

 In choosing to be with Lazarus, Jesus is spending time leading up to his own death in the presence of one whom he had raised from death to life.

One commentator writes: ‘His friend Lazarus was a promise, a portent; a profound reassurance that death is not the end.’ You can begin to imagine the reassurance that the presence of Lazarus at the table was for Jesus as he was anointed for his own coming death. 

Lazarus was living proof of the truth of Jesus’ convictions of his own identity, spoken to Martha as her brother lay in the tomb: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’

If you find yourself in difficult circumstances this week – perhaps not where you would like to be, separated from people you would love to be with, or unable to do what you long to be able to do – then allow yourself to carry these mini-crosses in the presence of the One who has carried the ultimate Cross and defeated our greatest enemy, death.

Lazarus lived to one day die again, but Jesus has defeated that greatest enemy for all who look to him for life. He is with us by his Spirit as we travel through these frustrating and uncertain times, and assures us of his resurrection power to overcome, and of his good purposes for us.

Jesus chose to spend time in the presence of those who sustained and encouraged him as he faced the cross – Mary, Martha and Lazarus – as well as with those who needed him most.

How is that balance working out for you? It might not be possible to be with all the people you long to be with – whether that is family, or fellow members of Holy Trinity during this Easter season (and it feels so strange that we can’t be together) – but you CAN choose to bring them to mind and allow their stories to encourage you. 

Our verse for the year (see below) is preceded by a reminder of that ‘great cloud of witnesses’ that cheers us on from the sidelines. They may not be with us physically, but they can still cheer us onwards and upwards as we remember their example.

Lazarus may not be across the table from us, but who will we choose to bring to mind to sustain us? Could you drop them a line to thank them for the part that their faith has played in sustaining and encouraging your own?

As we travel through this week with Jesus, with our bibles open and our hearts ready to respond to him, let’s remember our verse for the year, and focus not so much on our present circumstances or fear of what is to come, but on the Lord – his example and his victory:

‘…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’

With prayers that God will sustain and refresh you in faith, hope and love through this Easter season.

Your friend and Vicar,

Mick