Can These Bones Live? (Mar. 26, 2023) Ezekiel 37.1-14; John 11.17-44

Today we have a couple of very familiar, very interesting texts to match very interesting times. Both speak of the power of God to bring life into areas where death reigns and all hope seems to be gone. In Ezekiel we find a passage where there are dry bones filling a valley. In John we hear the very familiar story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Each of these stories brings comfort to those reading them as they are promises that death is not final when God is involved, but also that new life is given by God.

In Ezekiel we find the prophet being taken by God to a valley full of dry bones. Bones that are “fresh” still have some moisture in them. The marrow and the water are still there from when there was life. On the other hand, dry bones are bones that lay in the sun for a long, long time. They usually are bleached and there is no chance that there is any life left in them. And so it is with the bones in the valley where Ezekiel was taken.

When asked by God if these bones could live, the prophet’s reply is cautious and guarded. He says, “God you know”, an answer that is a non-answer. Basically, he puts the ball back in God’s court. He knows what happens to dry bones and he knows that there is no life in them. So, he is puzzled by God’s question. God tells Ezekiel to prophecy, to say the words that he is told and when he does the bones begin to clatter, to come together and be covered with sinews, flesh, and skin, to become human once more. But there is no breath, no spirit, no life, no ruah in Hebrew in those who are now in the valley. And then God says that the spirit is to be called upon to breathe on those in the valley so that they may live once more. Then the spirit of God comes on those in the valley, breathing life that only God can give into those who were slain, giving life where there was none.

Ezekiel is told that the bones are the nation of Judah and the people of Israel who were taken into exile by the Babylonians. The nation and the people were as good as dead, as lifeless as the dry bones in the valley. Yet, when God has the spirit breathe on them, they will come back to life and they will have a new life in the land from which they were taken. They will know that God did this and that when God spoke and acted, life was always there.

Fast forward. We find Jesus and his disciples on the east side of the Jordan river where John baptized those who came to him. Jesus and company were running from those who wished to kill them when Jesus had stated that “before Abraham was, I AM.” And now they are resting and trying to figure out the next move, well, at least the disciples are.

While they are waiting, they receive news that their friend Lazarus is ill. We are never told what the illness was, nor was there a request that Jesus come quickly, though that was most likely implied. But Jesus takes his time. He waits for two days before heading out and when he does, he tells the disciples that Lazarus is asleep. The disciples believe that he will be alright because they know, that when one is sick, rest is best. But Jesus looks at them and tells them bluntly, "Lazarus is dead.” But he also says that this is so that they may believe.

When they arrive at the village, Martha, the sister of Lazarus, runs to meet Jesus while Mary, Lazarus’ other sister, stays with the rest of the mourners. Martha’s words to Jesus are full of grief, resignation, some complaint, and hope when she says, “"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." As we know, Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again. Martha, like everyone else in the Gospel of John, misses the emphasis of Jesus as she falls back to the teachings that she knows, that there will be a resurrection at the last day. But what good is that to them in the now? Lazarus is dead and what is Jesus going to do about it? But when Jesus next speaks, he speaks the most important words of the entire passage. He says, “"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Joh 11:25-26 NRS) Martha proclaims that she believes that Jesus is the Messiah and goes to get Mary, who says the same thing when she meets Jesus.

And then an interesting thing occurs. The NRSV says Jesus was deeply moved. But the Greek says that he became angry or indignant. With what was Jesus angry? Was it death and sin that caused the grief of his friends? Was it the unbelief of those who were there for the family? We do not know. But what we do know is that Jesus tells them to move the stone from the grave. At this Martha, wide eyed and hand covering her mouth in horror I’m sure, states the obvious: There will be a stench from the decaying body that has been there for four days. Jesus is undeterred, telling her that he told her if she believed, then the glory of God would be revealed. After a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father, Lazarus is called from the tomb. And with everyone holding their breath, all eyes are on the opening. They hear a shuffling of…. something. And then, there he is, Lazarus, still wrapped up as he was on the day he was buried. Jesus tells those around to go and help the man get out of those grave clothes and many believe because of what they have seen and heard, though there are those who will soon after make the determination that, for the good of the nation, Jesus must die. The cross is coming closer and closer.

The Ezekiel text is known to most people, if only in the song Dem Bones. The John text is very well known. In both there is death and life. And in both it is God who brings about new life.

The dry bones are called to live by the words of God spoken by Ezekiel who, though he may have had his doubts, believes that God will do what has been spoken. When he speaks the words, the bones come together but there is no life. Then the Spirit of God comes upon them, giving them life. It is a new life that God has given to the people who have lost all hope and believe that their lives would never be the same.

In John, there is grief over the loss of a beloved friend and brother. And we know the passage because it is a common text used for funerals. But what if it is more than that? What if it is a text that speaks about life in Christ as well as the resurrection? Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This is the last I AM statement that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John, a statement that proclaims his divinity to those who are listening. But there is something else going on here. I have read and heard this passage so many times that I missed a crucial point. I have often said that if a word is repeated in a passage, pay attention. There is something of significance in both texts from today. In John 11:15-45 the word “believe” occurs 8 times. This is not the noun, belief, but the verb, believe. It is active and moving. Jesus does not say that he wants those to have belief, but that he wants them to believe. To be active in the belief that they have in him. He wants them to realize that he is not only capable of conquering death and bringing back a man who is dead, but that he can and will give new life to those who are living. In Ezekiel the word spirit, wind, or breath is prevalent. Why is this important? Because they all come from the same Hebrew word, ruah. And in the text this word is used 9 times. Ruah is something that comes from God. It is the ruah of God who give Adam life in Genesis 2. And it is the ruah of God at work in this passage of scripture.

We are in the same place as many were in the passage. Our church is graying or is grayed. We see smaller and smaller attendance. We feel, like Ezekiel, that we are looking at a valley of dry bones in which there is no life. We say, like Martha, that we believe, but when told to move the stone we make a comment about what we know is behind there. We seldom believe that there is new life that comes from God. But God is still in control. God calls us to, like Ezekiel, prophesy, not tell the future, but to proclaim the Word of the LORD. We are called to go and tell those in the world about what we have that they too can have it. When we do so, there will be new life given. Sinews, flesh, and skin will return and the life-giving Spirit will be given. It may be scary, but when it is the work of God there is nothing to fear. Jesus asks us to believe and in believing, to help those who were dead and brought back to life to take off their graveclothes and to let them go to the new life in Jesus Christ. Lent gives us a time to reflect on death that is the ultimate equalizer of all. But in reflecting on the death, we are reminded that God will bring new life as we look toward Easter. Jesus says to us, “Like the vision in Ezekiel, these bones that you see of your life, of your church, will live. Do you believe this?” Amen.