(Reflections on the sign of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead found in John 11:1-44. This is part of the Seven Signs series, click here to catch up on other parts in the series.)
Turning water into wine is incredible. Remotely healing a sickly child is amazing. Healing a man paralysed for nearly forty years is remarkable. Feeding thousands with just a few pieces of fish and bread is spectacular. Walking on the water in the storm is a most stupendous feat. Then to give sight to a man born blind is unprecedented and almost unbelievable.
John selects seven signs specifically to highlight the nature of Jesus being the Son of God and worthy of placing ongoing faith to experience the everlasting life only found in Him. It’s fitting, then, that the final sign John records has to do with the kind of life that Jesus is offering. It’s certainly worth reflecting on this episode section by section.
Jesus Hints The End At The Beginning (vs 1-6)
You don’t want to know what happens at the end. That’s part of the idea of telling stories these days. No one wants to know what happens so that it’s fresh and exciting to see what will happen. Jesus clearly never got the memo.
“Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
John 11:4 (NLT)
This is not the first time that Jesus has given the heads up to those that would listen that what they think is a bad thing is a set-up for a glorious thing. The previous sign with the man born blind had Jesus give a preview for His disciples. When Jesus was going to feed thousands in such a spectacular fashion, he even hinted at knowing what He was about to do with a test for His disciples.
Jesus is not bragging on Himself. Jesus is giving those that will hear the advance notice that God is in the business of bringing glory to His name through defeating all possible threats to His offer to humanity. The biggest obstacle as people see it when it comes to living is death. This is a theme that Jesus will repeat throughout the episode. Death is not the end. Death does not win. God wins. Life overcomes death.
What is it to live with Jesus and operate on this basis? That you live in believing in the one who gives life, that this life of faith in Him can bring into occasions and opportunities where He delights in bringing glory to His name through your obedience.
That’s great to know at the end … but it is not addressing the immediate issue at hand. The good news of Jesus is great to give hope at the start … but there’s the small matter of what happens between the hope conceived and the hope realised.
Prepping the Disciples (vs 7-16)
The disciples are not slow or dim-witted. It’s good to remember that when we read the engagement they have with Jesus. Take it from their perspective. A few days ago they heard that Lazarus was sick and Jesus decides to chill out for a couple more days. Now he’s talking about getting Lazarus to wake up and as far as they’re concerned that should be something to bother Jesus, especially if it means going back to an area that has already given the signal that Jesus is Public Enemy Number One.
“There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.”
John 9:9-10 (NLT)
Just as there has been a theme about Life throughout John’s gospel presentation, so there is a recurring theme of Light. Once again in the previous sign, Jesus referred to doing the works of the One who sent them while it is day because the night is coming where no one could work. Here again, Jesus gives a clear indication of work to be done while the light of the world s still present. It’s an opportunity to bring glory to God and that happens in the light of who He is. For that earthly ministry, there was something more important than the views and opinions of the masses. There was the impulse of completing the mission for which He had been sent, which included in this case, showing up for a dead man.
All that had been said to this point was said with the purpose of preparing his disciples, so it’s fascinating to see that though they are not slow or dim-witted, they haven’t all really understood what Jesus is talking about. Just as it is fascinating seeing how you can hear what Jesus is saying while you’re following Him, but not everything makes sense at the time.
That’s not something that disappears because we have the Holy Spirit living within us as though everything becomes plain and straightforward. It’s something that should allow us to understand more why it’s important to take the time to receive what Jesus says as we go with Him.
Martha, Do You Believe This? (vs 17-27)
I have a lot of time for Martha. She’s real. As in she’s real when it comes to asking Jesus questions that you expect real friends to ask each other when they’ve been let down. The conversation the bereaved and her friend have, however, is intriguing. What does she mean when she says that God will give Jesus whatever He asks for? What kind of statement is that when her brother has been buried? Then Jesus’ response does sound like a platitude for the dead, if you don’t understand what He’s saying, that’s why Martha goes along with the sentiment. Sure, Lazarus will rise with those at the end. The response by Jesus is crucial for those who are set to believe in Him,
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
The question Jesus poses at the end is so rich and full. Full of the wonder of if Martha has really grasped what Jesus is stating and offering. Rich with a promise about what is to come not just for Martha.
The Resurrection and the Life. Do we understand this today? Do we get what Jesus is saying? This is not Jesus saying about what He will do. This is not Jesus talking about sentiments at the end of the age. This is Jesus talking in the there and then as well as the here and now. Jesus’ question to Martha is even more pertinent to us today.
With this declaration, we have one of those opportunities where a sign of who He is gives Him the chance to announce it too. The element of the sign, the declaration, the preparation and the delivery are all in this episode. He announces before He shows as part of the preparation. Hence the question. This is who I Am – do you get it? Do you believe it? Martha’s response is understandable. It’s hardly the time for her to engage in a study on what on earth is He talking about. It just sounds as though He’s carrying on with the sentiment that she agreed to earlier. It’s enough for her to at least express herself to Jesus first before she passes on the news of His arrival to her sister.
If Only You’d Been Here, Jesus (vs 28-37)
There’s always a crowd isn’t there.
If it was just Mary, it would be pressing and emotional enough. But there’s a crowd. There’s a group of people who are helping out with the mourning. They are there for the grieving Mary and they have something to say about Jesus. They have a running commentary on Him covering the range of views a crowd can have about this so-called friend. Some friend, eh. Where was He when He was needed? What kind of a time is it to show up here?
There’s something about Jesus’ engagement with Mary that intrigues me. Yeah, He weeps, but He’s clearly troubled by what’s going on. Is it empathy? Is He troubled at the sadness the death has caused? Why? Why would He feel this way knowing what He knows about the outcome from all this? What troubles Jesus? What leads Him to tears? Seeing His friends so upset? Seeing the effect that death has on those He loves? Is He troubled at the views of the crowd?
Here’s why it matters. What bothers Jesus gives us an idea as to what moves Him and what can in turn move us. Jesus is here to connect and engage as that leads Him to do what He is called to do so that it can leave an impact on those who were mourning. He does that, whatever the crowd has to say about it.
Lazarus, Come Out! (vs 38-44)
Here is what is fascinating about this epic part of the whole encounter.
Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?
John 11:40 (ESV)
Jesus does the act even though those He prepped – whether it was Martha or the disciples – were not ready for Him. Which makes His conversation with God for the public all the more important. He is not speaking for His benefit, He is speaking because He knows what has been prepared for. He knows and is ready. Now it is for those who are witnessing to have another confirmation of relationship with the Father and how that relationship can bring about the greatest command to bring life out of death and unwrap someone in darkness into marvellous light. It’s no wonder this is one of those signs that are so highly valued in the Christian community. It’s one of those that believers should celebrate because of what it says that is unique about the Saviour.
You are invited to believe Jesus – an ongoing belief at that – because in Him is a life that does not end. This is a life that defeats death. Just as it is a life that overcomes the elements. Just as it is a life based on the assured provision of God. Just as it is a life that brings sight to those who are blind. Just as it is a life that keeps the celebrations of unity going. Just as it is a life that overcomes illness and brokenness within and without. This life is found in Jesus Christ. This life is found in the one who died, was buried but rose triumphantly from the grave and invites all to turn to Him, come out of the lives in darkness, decay, disease and death. Turn from that and turn to love, light and eternal life in Him.
That’s the offer.
Questions based on Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead
- What does this episode tell you about Jesus?
- Jesus knows what He’s about to do, but His followers have no idea, is that ever infomative of the life following Jesus? If so how?
- What do you learn from Martha’s confession of belief and her words that followed that?
- Why is Jesus so upset and angry from the time He meets Mary to the time that they reach Lazarus’ grave? Why is that important?
- What does Jesus mean when He says that those who believe in Him will never die? Why does that matter?
- Why is this episode in the life of Jesus so important for believers today? How can it help both to live for Him and to share the good news about with others?
- How is Jesus revealed as the Son of God worth believing in?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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