John 11:1, 3, 6–7, 20–27, 38–40, 43–44

Bible Studies for Life
Director, Extension Division, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Jesus Restores Our Lives
John 11:1, 3, 6–7, 20–27, 38–40, 43–44
In the previous chapter, Jesus explained that He was the Good Shepherd who would do anything — even die — for His sheep. The Pharisees refused to believe His teaching and that He was the Son of God and prepared to stone Him. But before they could do so, He left Jerusalem and went across the Jordan to the place where John the Baptist had ministered. While He was there, Scripture says, many came to believe in Jesus.

A Desperate Situation (1, 3, 6–7)
Once again, we are introduced to the family from Bethany — Lazarus, Mary and Martha — but under less than ideal circumstances. The sisters send a message to Jesus that Lazarus is sick and they need Him to come. They have a special relationship with Jesus and believe that He could and would help. Instead of immediately rushing to the side of His friend, however, Christ waits two days before departing for Bethany.

Shouda … Coulda … Woulda (20–27)
At great risk to Himself, Jesus crosses the Jordan and re-enters Judea. Bethany is only two miles from Jerusalem. He knows that there are still those who wish to stone Him, but ministering to Lazarus, Mary and Martha is what matters to Him. As Jesus arrives, Martha meets Him but instead of an enthusiastic welcome, she only wants to know what took Him so long. If Jesus had only gotten there sooner, she thinks, Lazarus could have been healed. She’s anguished, hurting, distressed and disappointed. Martha wrongly believes that Jesus is supposed to come when He’s called to fix things she wants fixed in the way that she wants them fixed. But one thing here is clear: Martha believes in Jesus and believes in His power.

Life and Hope Restored (38–40, 43–44)
Jesus then expresses a desire to see Mary. Martha brings her to Jesus, and they travel to the tomb where Lazarus is buried. Mary, weeping and in great pain, falls at Jesus’ feet and expresses dismay — very much like that of Martha — at His timing. “If you had been here,” she tells Jesus, “my brother wouldn’t have died.” Even in her frustration, she exhibits incredible faith — a belief that Jesus can repair what no one else can. Scripture tells us that He was “moved” — that He even “wept.” Jesus instructs that the tomb be opened and, to glorify God, calls Lazarus from the grave. He emerges, still wrapped in the burial clothes, in front of many onlookers who had to acknowledge the possibility that Jesus must be the Son of God.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. They listened to, learned from, obeyed and served Him. And what happens? Lazarus gets sick; they call for Jesus because they know He can make things right, but He doesn’t come and sickness becomes death. And all they want to know is why did it happen this way?

Ever felt that way? We do everything we’re supposed to do. We walk with Christ, study our Bible and “do unto others” and something happens. We need Jesus and call on Him, but things don’t work out the way we wanted. And then all we want to ask Jesus is “Why didn’t you hear me? Why didn’t you come? Why didn’t you fix things?” We ask Him specifically to deliver, but it doesn’t appear that He responds or even cares.

Jesus raised Lazarus, though not for Mary and Martha. He did it to glorify God. He did it that the onlookers might know that He was sent by God. Sometimes God responds to our prayers with the answer that we seek. At other times, we feel completely abandoned. But this passage shows us that Jesus does hear His sheep when they call and He cares and He hurts with us. Jesus does come and He does answer. But when the answer is not what we requested, we get upset. We can be certain that He does care. And He doesn’t want us to feel like we’ve been abandoned because we haven’t been. Jesus came, died and dwells in the lives of those who are His so that we will feel His love and know that we are not alone.