READ: Jn. 11:1–45: … 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? …
Hatred toward the Lord Jesus has grown so strong among the Jews that they want to stone Him (10:31,39). Jesus now enters the last phase of His life on earth.
Then follows the history of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. It is important to see that Jesus wants the sick Lazarus to die in order to make the miracle of his resurrection possible. He wants to make clear again that only through faith in Him is true, eternal life given as deliverance from eternal death (vv.11,15,42).
The disciples still need to learn this. From their remarks (vv.7–10,16), it is clear that they still do not understand that the Christ must suffer (Matt. 16:21,22). How necessary it is that they truly see His work of redemption!
For Jesus, the death of the believing Lazarus is more like sleep in comparison with eternal death. He knows that His Father allows it so that, through Lazarus’s resurrection, He will be glorified in His Son (vv.4,40,41). Everyone who believes in Him will receive eternal life through His crucifixion and resurrection.
For the disciples and friends of Jesus it is crucial that they believe in Him in this way, and not see Him only as a miracle worker. Martha is directly questioned about this faith, and she gives a wonderful answer (vv.23–27).
Yet later Jesus weeps at the grave when He sees the deep sorrow of Mary and Martha over the death of their beloved brother, whom He also loved greatly (vv.33,35,38). His tears are a sincere expression of compassion as a friend, but especially as High Priest for all who love Him (Heb. 4:15). But the greatest grief for Jesus is that so many of His people do not believe in Him and therefore will be lost.
Then Jesus proceeds to His glorious work: He raises Lazarus as a sign that He is the true Redeemer. The family, disciples, and all the witnesses hear His command and see the dead man come out. Many “believe” in Him—yet not all.
Do we realize that Jesus shares in our sorrow?
Sing: Ps. 16:4,5