Believing in Jesus

John 11:1–45

Fifth Sunday of Lent

The resurrection of Lazarus is astonishing. Jesus is rarely presented as being so human, fragile and endearing.

When Jesus saw Mary (Lazarus’ sister) and the others weeping, He was deeply moved. When He asked where they had laid Lazarus, they replied, “Come and see,” and Jesus began to weep. In the midst of this moving scene, Jesus reveals, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” He gave thanks to His Father for this opportunity to manifest His glory so that they might believe in Him. Upon hearing Jesus’ voice, Lazarus emerged from the tomb alive, and many believed in Him.

From the beginning of his gospel, St. John presents Jesus’ mission in two expressions: the first takes place at the wedding in Cana. In response to His mother’s observation that they have no wine, Jesus says, “My hour has not yet come.” The second took place in the Jerusalem temple, where Jesus expelled the merchants. In response to the Pharisees’ request for a miraculous sign of His authority to expel these profaners, Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and I will rebuild it in three days” (Jesus was speaking of the other temple, His body).

Later in this Gospel, Jesus defines His mission as follows: “I came so that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). He later explains His determination to fulfill His Father’s saving will: “I lay down my life because I choose to; no one takes it from me” (Jn 10:18). This is an act of discernment and acceptance of the divine will that goes so far as to give one’s life.

When Jesus enters Jerusalem for the Passover feast, many Jews come out to meet Him because they know Him, having heard about the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. Among them are some Greeks who want to see Jesus. When Philip and Andrew told Jesus this, he replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces a great harvest.” He adds: “Whoever loves his life destroys it, and whoever despises his life in this world preserves it for eternal life” (Jn 12:24-25).

After inviting His disciples to follow Him, Jesus said: “Whoever wants to serve me must follow me. Where I am, there will be my servant.” At the same time, He opens His heart to us and reveals His inner struggle. “I am troubled now. Shall I say, Father, deliver me from this hour? But no, for this is precisely why I have come to this hour, to face this anguish.

Then He prays, “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” A little later, Jesus said, “When I am lifted from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (Jn 12). As He died, Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30).

Lent and Holy Week remind us to reflect on our own journey as we follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, who intercedes for us.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me, so that they may see my glory, because you loved me before the creation of the world” (Jn 17:24).

Jesus continues to challenge us: “Do you believe this?”