By James R. Strange, Ph.D.
Professor of Biblical and Religious studies, Samford University
THE SIGN OF HIS POWER OVER DEATH
John 11:25–27; 38–44
In our seventh lesson on the signs in John’s gospel, we read about the raising of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. As with the earlier signs, this one reveals Jesus’ identity, the main topic of this Gospel. Unlike previous stories, Jesus discusses who He is before performing the sign rather than afterward.
Jesus remained in Jerusalem after going there to celebrate the Festival of Booths. Following an attempt to arrest Him, Jesus has traveled east of the Jordan River to the place where John the Baptist used to perform his ministry. This is where He is when He receives news that Lazarus is ill.
Jesus is the Resurrection and Life. (25–27)
We do not know the name of the “disciple Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20–22). Based on verses 3 and 5, some have speculated that it was Lazarus.
Lazarus’ family must have known that he was near death because to find Jesus, they sent someone on a journey that took days by foot (11:1–3). When Jesus hears about Lazarus, His response in verse 4 seems odd, for Lazarus does indeed die. Jesus, of course, means that Lazarus will not stay dead and that his return to life will glorify God’s Son.
The disciples must have interpreted Jesus’ extended stay as an attempt to avoid those who wanted to stone Him, so they are surprised when He tells them He’s returning to Judea (v. 8).
Jesus suggests that the disciples don’t fully understand who He is (v. 10). Jesus is predicting their reaction to His plain statement that Lazarus is dead. Instead of anticipating the sign that Jesus will perform, Thomas, their spokesperson, thinks that they are going to die along with Jesus (v. 16).
To see God at work, we must obey Him, even when it doesn’t make sense. (38–40)
John’s description of the tomb matches what we know of Jewish burial practices at this time.
It is striking that Jesus, who knows what is about to happen, is greatly disturbed at Lazarus’ death. Lazarus has suffered during his illness and probably has feared his own death.
Even though Martha believes in Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world” (v. 27), she cannot anticipate what Jesus will do.
The work of Jesus draws us to put our faith in Him. (41–44)
Jesus’ prayer in verse 42 suggests that Lazarus is already alive. All that remains is for him to emerge from the tomb. Jesus pauses to pray for the sake of the faith of those who are listening, including us as readers.
John gives us one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible: Jesus’ command of authority and Lazarus’ emergence through the low opening.
Earlier when Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would live again, Martha thought He was talking about the general resurrection of the dead. But Jesus wasn’t talking about resurrection of any kind, not even that of Lazarus.
Rather, like the other signs, this one is intended to bring people to believe that Jesus is the Son sent by the Father. Jesus offers a kind of life in Him that begins right now. This is why Jesus can say that He is “the Resurrection and the Life” and that those who believe in Him “will never die” (vv. 25–26).
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