Preached by Rev. Erik Kindem.
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45
Summary
An odd collection of ne’er-do-wells and misfits calls a man called Ove from the edge of the grave and into community, calling his dried up bones back to life.
Jesus raises Lazarus, and gives his community the responsibility of completing his liberation by unbinding him and letting him go.
The film "13th" documents the deep and pervasive historical and cultural layers and precedents that have woven an impenetrable web of injustice designed to keep Lazarus (i.e. the Black man) bound in his tomb.
But as Jesus called Lazarus’ community of friends to the work of unraveling the layer upon layer upon layer of cloth that marked Lazarus as death’s prisoner so are we called to unravel those whom society is determined to keep bound, and to let them go.