A sermon based on John 11:1-45, Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, Sr Pastor Emeritus, Our Savior Lutheran Church
Every Fifth Sunday in Lent has the uniquely interesting name of “Little Easter.” It’s a day on which we get to anticipate the upcoming celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave to which his death on the cross consigned him.
“Little Easter” is much like the Third Sunday in Advent, when we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath as a sign of the “joy” to come in celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It serves to remind us that the pathway through Holy Week, which begins next week on Palm Sunday, does not end with the somberness of Jesus’ death on Good Friday. On the contrary, it leads to the joyful celebration of his Easter victory over death as well as sin and the devil.
The Gospel lesson in John 11:1-45 for this “Little Easter” recounts the story of “The Raising of Lazarus.” I have entitled the sermon “Bell of Hope” because this very dramatic text provides a resounding note of hope as we not only face the day when we all must die, but experience various forms of lesser deaths in this life.
My intention is to ring this same “bell of hope” in our worship today.
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