I engage with the Lazarus story as one who has lost both parents as well as a daughter.
In 1992 my father died in March, after a life time of alcohol-related suffering.
In September the same year my 18 month old daughter died after being hit by a car outside the house where we lived. I arrived on the scene after attending an interdenominational ministers meeting at which the Assemblies of God pastor was sharing about people being raised from the dead on a mission trip in India. Believe me, I did call on God to intervene on the spot. But it wasn’t to be. Kristen Joy had died instantly and there was nothing that could bring her back.
My mother died in 2001 after a long period affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
I have become very familiar with the ‘tasks of grief’ outlined by J. William Worden:
1. Face the loss
2. Face the pain
3. Face the emptiness
4. Face the future
I believe these are tasks faced not only by individuals but also by families, communities and nations as they transition from the past, through the present into the future. The good news in the Lazarus story is deep. Jesus gives an assurance of resurrection, life beyond the limitations we now experience. But at the same time he’s deeply moved by our experience of grief – indeed he grieves alongside us.
Hi Duncan, and family,
I greatly enjoyed visiting virutally with you all. I am an Episcopal pastor in New Jersey, live in midtown Manhattan and also am a “virtual pastor” with the Anglican Diocese of Oxford at i-church.com
My maternal grandmom was a McClellan, so I identify with your Macleod a bit. Hope they were friendly! My mother passed Feb. 1 at age 87 in good mind but in poor body for the last 6 weeks. To claim resurrection is good; to claim resusitation is probably not for the elderly, but OK if possible for the younger. I resusitated my brother in 1957, he was 10, after he was struck by a truck while riding his bicycle; he had two broken femurs and hip and a concussion, but God be praised is now a very successful dentist. The Lazarus story brings us full front with the power of Christ, which the world would not tolerate. We have the task of bringing a world back to life as pastors, but of course it is not we who do it but the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. May that Spirit continue to enliven you in your venture with our Lord.
By the way, I was a few days in Wellington when a protege of mine was ordained there about 10 years ago in the Anglican Cathedral. My wife and I loved our brief tour of NZ and Oz, as you call it; did my first scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef. Awsome!
Peace and blessings,
Joe Parrish