343. JESUS GIVES LIFE TO THE DEAD
"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God"
Following an attempt made on his life, Jesus left Jerusalem and crossed the River Jordan to the place where John at first baptised (Jn. 10:39-40). Three years had passed since John baptised him, and his public work began. Jesus knew the end of His ministry was drawing near. Before his own death and resurrection, the greatest miracle of all was yet again to be performed. Jesus had given life to the widow's son at Nain and to Jairus' daughter (Lk. 7:14; 8:55). Now Lazarus, whose name means "El will help", would receive life from the dead, through the power vested in God's anointed Son.
The aim of this lesson is to show that Jesus has power over man's greatest enemy, death, and that for those who die in Christ, death is but a sleep.
John 11
JESUS HEARS OF LAZARUS' ILLNESS (Jn. 11:1-5).
Tragedy came to a little family living in the village of Bethany, some three kilometres from Jerusalem. Lazarus, who was a friend of Jesus and brother of Mary and Martha, became very ill. Looking at him as he lay on his bed, his sisters saw that death was near. Their thoughts went to Jesus. Remembering his miracles and confident that Jesus could help, they frantically sought his aid.
Thus a message reached Jesus on the eastern side of Jordan: "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick". Jesus gave the messenger a re ply to take back: "This sickness is not unto death but for (i.e. for the promotion of) the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (v.4).
It seemed strange that Jesus did not respond as expected to the call for help. His words seemed to imply that the ill health of Lazarus was not serious.
JESUS DELAYS HIS JOURNEY TO BETHANY (Jn. 11:6-16).
For two days Jesus delayed his journey to Bethany. Martha and Mary knew that if only Jesus would come this sorrow would cease. He then acquainted his disciples of his intention to return to Judea. Knowing of his recent escape from death there, they were amazed (v.8), but he reassured them. He then told them the reason for the departure: "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (v.11). There was a confusion of terms. They thought he meant normal healthy sleep. In fact, he meant death. Jesus spoke plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe" (vv. 14-15).
The miracle of resurrection was to be as much for their learning and comfort as for the family in Bethany. Jesus was thinking of others all the time, and trying to arrange matters for their benefit.
MARTHA'S CONVERSATION WITH JESUS (Jn. 11:17-27).
At Bethany, the burial of Lazarus was over and the tomb sealed. Many of the mourning friends of Mary and Martha remained at their house to comfort them. Meanwhile Jesus came near to Bethany. Hear ing that Jesus was coming, Martha left the house and hurried out to meet him. "Lord", cried the elder sister, "If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (v.21). To this Jesus replied, "Thy brother will rise again" (v.23). Martha understood that he would rise at the last day, but did not take into account that he might be restored to life im mediately. "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day", she replied. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (vv.25-26). His statement taught several things:
- He is the life-giver to "whosoever . . .". Jesus is the life of the world, both to the Jew and Gentile.
- A living faith is necessary. We must put our beliefs into practice. Christ must live in us and we must build into our lives the divine qualities seen in His Son (Gal. 2:20). Those who do that will not merely live, but will live eternally.
Jesus looked into her face, "Believest thou this?" Again the sure response came, "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world" (v.27).
MARY COMES TO JESUS (Jn. 11:28-37).
On returning to the house, Martha drew Mary aside to tell her of the Lord's arrival. Mary hurried to the Master. She made the same faithful assertion as her sister, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (v.32).
Jesus was deeply affected at the grief of Martha and Mary and all their mourning friends. As they led him to the sepulchre, Jesus wept with compassion (cp. Lk. 7:13): he entered into the remorse of the people (Heb. 4:15). Those present, seeing his tears and knowing his reputation, wondered that he had not come earlier to heal the sick man.
Jesus was also weeping because he could see in this death the sorrow of all humanity, the sorrow brought by sin. In a short time, he too would be placed in a tomb, and the manner of his death would reveal "how he loved" not merely Lazarus, but all who would come to him and live (Jn. 15:13; 1 Jn. 3:16).
THE MIRACLE OF RESURRECTION (Jn. 11:38-46).
The group moved on to the site of the tomb. Four days had passed since Lazarus had died and had been buried. Jesus asked to have the stone removed. Martha was horrified: "Lord, by this time he stinketh" (v.39). This was to be no obscure miracle.
The stone was removed. Jesus lifted his eyes and prayed to his Father. Then his voice of authority spanned the space between himself and the grave, "Lazarus come forth" (v.43). To the amazement of the hushed assembly, Lazarus, bound in grave clothes, shuffled out of the tomb. The people were stunned as Lazarus stood helpless before his Saviour. "Loose him", said Jesus, "and let him go" (v.44).
The miracle had revealed the glory of God (vv.4, 40). It taught that Jesus is the "resurrection and the life". In this city of sorrow, for Bethany means "the house of the poor or afflicted one", Lazarus had died to lead others to God. He typified the Lord in his sacrificial death and resurrection and this parallel was not lost upon the Lord; nor should we miss the application of this meaning to his death. The Lord's death must in normal circumstances have been the end of natural life, but God strengthened him, raising him from the dead. The result € GLORY TO GOD in a much more permanent sense than was the case with Lazarus.
All of the incidents surrounding this miracle serve to remind us of Yahweh's declaration to Moses: "As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with MY GLORY" (Num. 14:21). God lives, and because He lives, His purpose and glory are to be made manifest in living things also. His is the power of life, which power He has given to His Son (Jn. 5:26).
It is appropriate that this was the seventh of the eight signs recorded by John. Seven is the covenant number and is representative of the Covenant that provides the key that will unlock death and the grave (Rev. 1:18). The death and resurrection of the Lord provided the con firmation of the new covenant (Rom. 15:8), and the guarantee that all those truly in Him should likewise be raised to life eternal (Rom. 6:5). Jesus will abolish death for those whom He hath chosen (read Heb. 2:14; 1 Cor. 15:15-25; 2 Tim. 1:10).
THE SANHEDRIN MEETS (Jn. 11:47-57).
Many of the Jews who saw the resurrection of Lazarus believed in Jesus straightaway. Others went quickly and told the Pharisees what had happened. This provoked an immediate crisis. The chief priests and Pharisees assembled the Sanhedrin. The destruction of Jesus now became official council policy (v.53). Jesus, knowing their plans, went and hid himself, realising that he had come another step closer to his crucifixion.
LESSONS FOR US:
- Martha and Mary were moved by the influence of Christ's example and teaching. We too must manifest a similar living faith. All that we do should be to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
- "Life is the time to serve the Lord". In death there can be no remembrance, no work, no hope at all. (Psa. 88:3,12; Ecc. 9:10).
- When we see "the light of the world" we will not stumble, but "have the light of life" (Jn. 8:12; 9:4-5; 10:10). For us, then, death becomes merely a sleep, while we await the resurrection day (1 Thess. 4:14-16).
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 10, Pages 130-141
"A Life of Jesus" (M. Purkis) € Book 6, Chapter 8
"The Gospel of John" (J. Carter) € Chapter 11
"Nazareth Revisited" (R. Roberts) € Chapter 42
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. Explain Jesus' statement: "I am the resurrection and the life".
- In what way was the raising of Lazarus a highly significant event?
- What was the reaction of the people to the raising of Lazarus?
- Why did Jesus delay coming to Lazarus when he heard he was sick?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
- Briefly tell the story of the raising of Lazarus, and discuss its bear ing upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- What personal exhortations emerge from the story of the raising of Lazarus? What fundamental doctrines do we learn from this miracle?
Section 4
TO JERUSALEM FOR TRIAL CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION
The final phase of the ministry of the Lord had been reached. The days were approaching when he was to be "numbered with the trans gressors", and, "by wicked hands, be crucified and slain € .
At the beginning of his ministry John the Baptist had pointed him out as € the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world € . Now as his final Passover drew near, € the Lamb € who was to be slain came to Jerusalem. Examined by his antagonists, he was found to be faultless and thus he could € bare our sins in his own body on the tree € (1 Pet. 2:21-24).
In his last days and even in his last hours, Jesus' concern was for his disciples. He instructed them through parable and prophecy to be wise and faithful to hold fast even though he himself wouId suffer many things and be taken away from them. But they seemed not to hear; so when the time of his greatest trial came, they all forsook him and fled. Alone he stood before Pilate, yet not alone for God was with him (Jn. 16:32).
On that day of tragedy he was condemned by Jew and Gentile until finally he was led forth and crucified. Thus the love of our heaven Father was shown in providing His beloved Son for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16).
A life of promise seemed to have ended in disaster, and all appeared lost. But three days later, he rose again, triumphant over death Then having further instructed his disciples for 40 days, he ascended into heaven, and € sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Heb 10:12, 13).