This fourth gospel records seven great miracles, of which the raising of Lazarus is the culmination, showing the power testimony of Jesus in every realm. (John 2:1-11; 4:46-54; 5:1-9; 6:5-59; 6:15-21; 9:1-7; John 11 ).

John 11:1 "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."

Bethany was a small village on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives, two miles from Jerusalem. To the home of this brother and two sisters Jesus came as guest from time to time, finding there happy hospitality. We know only of Lazarus, that he was sick and raised to life by Jesus. The sisters' reaction shows they loved and esteemed him, and they claimed he was loved by Jesus (John 11:3 ). So he must have been devoted, friendly, loving, hospitable in the sense of making guests feel wanted and at home. When the head of a home is like that it is sure to be a happy God-honouring home. Devotion to Jesus on Mary's part gives her the privilege of being mentioned before her sister Martha.

John 11:2 "(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, ..."

(Matthew 26:7,13 ). She is marked out as having true faith, and real, affectionate devotion to her Lord (Luke 10:40 ). Practical Martha was probably the eldest of the family, having responsibility for the house. She appears to have a resourceful, ordered mind. Christ in the home, submitted to by every individual member, brings harmony and happiness.

John 11:3 "Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, 'Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.'"

In sickness they knew who to turn to - they made no forceful demands - they appealed to His love, and were confident He would act in love. What the Lord speaks into a matter happens, and brings Him glory.

John 11:4 "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

Having said that, death could not through that sickness, hold Lazarus, and both Father and Son would be glorified.

John 11:6 "... He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

Great affection can cause the return to great danger, therefore should be controlled by God's Word and timing.

John 11:7,8 "... 'Let us go to Judea again.' ⁸ The disciples said to Him, 'Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?'"

Jesus states it was quite safe as long as He was walking in the light of His Father's will (John 11:9-10 ).

Misunderstandings can bring forth explanations that call forth the courage of faith and love. Jesus called death sleep, for so it is to the body, till raised from the dead (John 11:11 ). The disciples thought that to sleep was good and Lazarus was getting well - so they need not go to the place of danger (John 11:12-13 ). Jesus explains that Lazarus is dead. (John 11:14 ). Jesus rejoiced in the belief of His disciples (John 11:15 ). Thomas takes into full account the risk, and is committed to follow his Master even unto death (John 11:16 ).

Bereavement is a time that makes demands upon all the resources to counsel and comfort. Already four days of mourning had taken place (John 11:17 ). The family was so respected that many Jews came from Jerusalem. The coming miracle was to have many witnesses (John 11:18-19 ). They had come to comfort. Even if we feel inadequate, we must not withhold our presence from the bereaved - just being there contributes to their comfort.

Martha was first to hear of the arrival of Jesus (John 11:20 ). She demonstrated faith in what could have been.

John 11:21 "... 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."

She believed God the Father would not refuse Him anything (John 11:22 ). To the promise of Jesus, that Lazarus would rise again (John 11:23 ), she confessed faith in the future resurrection.

John 11:24 "... I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Jesus had her see the need to believe in His power in the present.

John 11:25,26 "... 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"

The one who believes in Jesus as the life-giver may know physical death, but cannot know spiritual death. The continuity of the Christian life cannot be broken by death. Martha was brought to a confession of faith in His power in the present - as the Christ, the Son of God (John 11:27 ). He is all I need right now.

Interestingly it was Jesus who invited Mary to come to Him (John 11:28 ). Mary responded positively. So should we in our need. Mary characteristically fell at His feet (John 11:32 ). There can be no better place in time of need. She expressed the same thought as her sister,

John 11:32 "... 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.'"

The Master treats Mary in a different way to Martha. There is no discussion - her weeping and that of those with her is responded to with,

John 11:33 "... he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, "

Could it be that Jesus was touched with disappointment that even Mary's faith did not rise to embrace what He could do in the present? Asking where Lazarus was entombed they say, "... Lord, come and see." (John 11:34 KJV). In response to that the dam of His emotion overflowed.

John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

It is strange that knowing He was going to raise Lazarus, He stands there weeping. This could point to His emotion arising out of the absence of belief in His power as the Son of God to raise the dead, especially Mary's failure to positively respond, and before the sneering Jews (John 11:37 ). May we ever in faith acknowledge Him as Lord of our now, not limiting or grieving Him. The struggle with emotion goes on as He comes to the tomb and tells them to take the stone away (John 11:38-39 ).

Martha's practical words also indicate lack of faith (John 11:39 ). The answer of Jesus is a renewed call for faith (John 11:40 ). His words to the Father were for the benefit of those standing by (John 11:42 ). The reason for this great sign was that they might believe that He was sent. The loud voice expressed the authoritative divine will (John 11:43 ).He indeed, as the resurrection and the life specifically named Lazarus. This was to be an individual resurrection to temporary life - not a general raising of the dead. So great was the power of His voice that even the grave clothes could not stop Lazarus bounding forth from the grave (John 11:44 ). Then the Lord commanded, "Loose him and let him go." (John 11:44 KJV). New life must be freed from all restriction.

John 11:45,46 "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. "

When truth has been overwhelmingly and miraculously proven, opposition has its roots in enmity and self-interest. The signs were not disputed and Lazarus was living proof that Christ had risen the dead (John 11:47; Luke 16:31 ). Their motives were not spiritual, but political (John 11:48 ), and their power position. The unconscious prophecy of the carnal high priest was to receive greater fulfilment than he could ever conceive (John 11:49-52 ). Jesus was to die "for" in the stead of others - and not only for "that nation" (John 11:51 ), but that there be a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9 ).

Jesus left Bethany after raising Lazarus - the leaders were unable to trace His movements (John 11:54-57 ). There was anxiety on the part of the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus and end the threat to their careers (John 11:57 ). It is wonderful to see how God overruled the hatred of the devil and the self-seeking aims of the leaders, to fulfill His own pre-determined counsel (Acts 2:22-23 ). In the face of attack and seeming enemy triumph, do not fear for the fulfilment of God's purposes.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Who of the Bethany family challenges you the most? (John 11:1-2 ).
2. What main lesson is there for you personally in this account of the raising of Lazarus? (John 11:43-45 ).