Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

John 11:1-45

  • Christians often struggle with what is required for new life: that we accept that death has a part to play. We’d rather think the point is to live forever.

  • In the raising of Lazarus, Jesus defies the expectations of him and opens the people to see the situation in a completely new way.

  • Unbind Them

    The focus of Lazarus’s resurrection story is witnessing the glory of God. The heart, then, is found in how Mary responds.

  • Dealing with the death and resurrection of Lazarus gives us several beautiful arcs and themes for deep conversation.

  • In the story of Mary seeking Jesus to heal Lazarus, we have a familiar image of grief. That we aren’t always rational.

  • The raising of Lazarus gives us the perfect window to see beyond the present crisis, to see how God’s grace and freedom persists.