Steve Sylvester - February 22, 2026
Restored to New Life
“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus promises Martha, grieving the death of Lazarus. But as Martha, her sister, Mary, and all those gathered are about to discover, Jesus isn’t referring to the resurrection on the last day. He’s talking about resurrection in the present moment. The good news for us is that like Lazarus, we don’t have to wait for some time in the future to know the power of resurrection; Jesus’s invitation to be restored to new life is for each and every one of us, here and now.
From Series: "You're Invited to See the Power Struggle"
Pilate asks Jesus, “Do you not know that I have the power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Indeed, power has the capacity to bring about immense good but also immense suffering. Scripture reminds us that God’s justice does not operate by the sword of empire but by God’s deep and abiding love for all creation. Governments are accountable to God’s standards of justice and mercy, and when leaders abuse their power they are not serving God’s purposes but resisting them. As we continue in John’s gospel during our Lenten journey, we’ll see that Jesus calls out injustices, refuses to let Peter fight with the sword, and willingly bears the violence of the world in his own body. His kingdom does not advance by coercion or force but by the power of his self-giving love for all - including those who will nail him to the cross.