Day 11 of 49
Seventh Sign: Jesus Raised Lazarus
In the first six signs, we saw the power of God revealed through the Messiah over creation, weather, illness, and food supply. We saw his loving concern, not only for those who were sick, but also for the reputation of a family hosting a wedding.
The miracles of Christ served to build the faith of the disciples and others who followed Jesus, and yet, they needed more.
The final sign revealed his power over the greatest hurdle known to humanity…death.
Before this sign, in Jesus’ last year of ministry, he taught at Jerusalem. The Jews said, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,” (John 10:24-25).
In the parable found in Luke 16:19-31, the poor man Lazarus, dies and goes to Abraham’s side, while the rich man dies and goes into torment. The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to the man’s brothers.
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’
30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
Lk 16:29–31.
Jesus knew that the raising of Lazarus would not convince some people, but others would be fully convinced that he was the Messiah.
John 11:1-16: Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus about Lazarus’ illness. They requested he come quickly.
“Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (Jn 11:5). Jesus spent time in their home. Very likely it was a common stopover on his way to Jerusalem, and may have been a place to sleep (Mt 21:17). We know the narrative of Mary and Martha because of the conflict when Mary had made the better choice to sit at Jesus’ feet (Lk 10).
No doubt about Jesus’ love for them, but he chose to remain two more days. When he suggested returning to Judea, the disciples protested, knowing the Jewish leadership wanted him dead.
Jesus explained his purpose, to waken Lazarus. The disciples knew Lazarus had been sick, if he was sleeping, then he was on the mend.
Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Jn 11:14–15.
Thomas, contrary to what we usually think of him, said, “Let’s go die with him.”
John 11:17-27: Lazarus lay four days in the tomb before Jesus got to Bethany. Many from Israel came to comfort Mary and Martha, and probably included some professional mourners.
Martha met him and said, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
This is an interesting statement of faith. She doesn’t believe that Lazarus will come back to life, she knows she’ll see him again at the final resurrection. She’s saying that even though Jesus did not do what she wanted by healing her brother, she had no doubt that God will continue to answer his prayers.
I think most of us have no doubt about the ability of God to do anything…we struggle with the question, “will he in this circumstance?”.
But at this point, I don’t think she knows he has the power over death.
Jesus said to her, “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?” Jn 11:25–26.
On this side of the resurrection, this statement is not always easy to understand. Before the resurrection? I’m sure Martha’s head was spinning trying to follow the reasoning. She gave another statement of faith, she believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the one that was promised to come.
John 11:28-37: Mary came to speak to Jesus.
Again, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” We have all faced disappointment when we feel that our prayers were not answered. Usually they are just not answered in the way we wanted. It’s okay to tell God we are upset with him…he already knows, we might as well say it.
Jesus knew her pain and cried with her…as he cries with us in our sorrow and disappointment.
The people there to comfort Mary and Martha wondered why Jesus did not heal Lazarus.
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Jn 11:38–44.
What went through the mind of Martha when Jesus requested to remove the stone. Did she think that Jesus did not understand how long Lazarus had been dead? Did she think he wanted to see Lazarus one last time? Did hope rise within her…just a little?
She obeyed Jesus and received her brother back. Jesus revealed his power, not only over the living, but over the dead…those unreachable by any living creation.
Many believed because of this miracle…but then, you have those who would not believe even if someone came back from the dead. Now not only would the council try to kill Jesus, Lazarus was on their hit list too.
What do you believe about God the Father and God the Son? Do you know that he loves you, even when you see no evidence on a day to day basis? Do you know that he desires the best for you, even when you struggle with illness or problems?
Do you know that he not only is able to act on your behalf, but he will always do what is best for you?
Lord, help us to see your hand in every circumstance of our lives, both the good and the bad. Thank you that we can continually come to you with anything.
1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!
In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
Ps 142:1–7.
TRICIA LATHROP 