The Way - Day 192 (John 11)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
JOHN 11:1-57
John’s writing has two main purposes in mind: proving that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and belief in Jesus Christ results in eternal life. To carry out his purposes, John provides his readers with seven miracles throughout his writing to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: turning water to wine (2:1-10), healing a nobleman's son (4:46-54), healing a paralytic (5:1-9), feeding the 5,000 (6:1-14), walking on water (6:15-21), and healing the blind man (9:1-41). However, Jesus' raising of a man from the dead (11:1-57) is the most significant and dramatic miracle performed throughout His ministry.

This particular miracle was demonstrated only a few days before Jesus would be put to death on the cross. John begins this story by introducing the reader to all the characters involved: Lazarus (Jesus' sick friend), Mary (Lazarus' sister who anointed Jesus with oil), and Martha (Lazarus' sister). Lazarus was sick and his sisters sent for Jesus, who was a whole day's journey from them (11:1-3). "When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it'" (11:4). Obviously, Jesus knew Lazarus would die, but He was not concerned since He also knew that He would raise Him up for the glory of God. Jesus stayed two more days at His current location (11:6), but when He decided to return to Judea, His disciples were concerned for His safety. "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" (11:8). Jesus assured them of God's protection and told them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up" (11:11). His disciples did not understand that Jesus was referring to sleep as death, not rest (11:12-13). Since they could not comprehend His saying, Jesus spoke to them saying, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him" (11:14-15). Jesus knew that Lazarus' resurrection from the dead was necessary to strengthen the disciples’ faith.

Four days after Lazarus had died, Jesus and His disciples arrived to find him already in the tomb (11:17). When Martha heard that Jesus had arrived in town, she expressed her faith in Him.

"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You" (11:20-22).

In response to Martha's expression of faith Jesus said, "Your brother will rise again" (11:23). Based on John 11:39, Martha's statement here is not implying that she believed Jesus would resurrect Lazarus at that moment, but at a future time (11:24). John then documents Jesus' fifth I AM statement, which he has used to show that Jesus is the Son of God.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (11:25-26).
These words imply two things - Jesus has the power over life and death and those who believe in Him will be given eternal life. Jesus confronted Martha with a personal question, "Do you believe this?" Her answer is evidence of her faith in Jesus as the Son of God and must be the confession of everyone who believes, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world" (11:27).

Martha immediately goes to get her sister, Mary, who is being comforted by the Jews. They follow her thinking she is going to the tomb to weep (11:28-31). When Mary arrived to the place where Jesus was, she fell down at his feet saying, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (11:32). Upon seeing Mary and the Jews weeping over the loss of her brother, Jesus "groaned in the spirit and was troubled" (11:33). His actions were not out of mourning for the loss of Lazarus, but for the people who could not understand that death was temporary for those who believed in Him.

The people pointed Jesus to where Lazarus was buried and He wept. His weeping was not a sign of grief, but out of sorrow for those who did not believe in Him (11:34-35). Jesus commands that the stone be rolled away, but Martha questions Jesus' instructions saying, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days" (11:38-39). In response to Martha's objection, Jesus reminds her that "if you would believe you would see the glory of God." The people roll away the stone from Lazarus' tomb and Jesus prays.
"Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me (11:40-42).

After He prays, Jesus cries with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" (11:43). John describes what happens next.

"And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Loose him, and let him go'" (11:44).

This supernatural work of God was incomparable to anything the disciples or the people had ever witnessed. The miracle should have caused them to believe in Jesus as the Son of God; however, some believed (11:45) while others did not (11:46).

Those who did not believe in Jesus' awesome display of power over life and death informed the Pharisees about what had transpired and from that day forward "they plotted to put Him to death" (11:47-53). Because they were seeking the life of Jesus, He "no longer walked openly among the Jews" (11:54). The Jews even gave a command "that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him" (11:55-57). Even though Jesus Christ had displayed supernatural power in the rarest form, people still hardened their hearts and rejected Him as the Messiah. What would it take for them to believe?

Dear God, You have already displayed Your supernatural power through Your Son, Jesus. Help many to believe in the witness of the Scriptures that they might also believe in Jesus as the One sent to bring forgiveness of sin.