Death and Jesus, the Resurrection and Life

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 11:1-27

 

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

(NKJV)

This is the first of two postings covering the account in John’s gospel of Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave. John’s gospel is the only one recording this miracle, but it does not diminish its importance in scripture. In this passage, Jesus declares He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), something He will demonstrate when he calls Lazarus from the grave (John 11:43-44). Jesus Himself would soon resurrect from the grave, with belief in His resurrection foundational to one having salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

 

Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is sick and close to death, so his sisters sent messengers to Jesus, asking Him to come and heal their brother (John 11:1-3). Upon hearing the news, Jesus says the sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God so the Son of God may be glorified through it (John 11:4). Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but upon hearing Lazarus was sick, remained where He was for two more days (John 11:5-6). Jesus then tells His disciples He wants to go to Judea again (John 11:7).

 

Out of concern, the disciples remind Jesus that the last time He was in Judea, they wanted to stone Him (John 10:31-42, 11:8). Jesus replies by telling the disciples there are twelve hours in the day where one can walk and not stumble for he sees the light of this world (John 11:9). However, one walking in the night without the light stumbles because the light is not in him. Jesus is not going to Judea to His death yet, for it is not the time, but instead Jesus is going to awaken Lazarus from death (John 11:10-11). The disciples mistakenly believed Jesus was speaking of physical sleep for Lazarus, which would lead to his healing, but Jesus speaks of his physical death (John 11:12-13). Jesus then plainly told them Lazarus was dead and that He was glad He was not there to heal him so that they may believe (John 11:14-15). Thomas believed they were all going to die with Jesus because of the threats against Him in Judea (John 11:16).

 

Upon His arrival in Bethany, Jesus and the disciples discover Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days (John 11:17). Jesus’ disciples were correct in their concern for Jesus because Jerusalem is only two miles away from Jerusalem (John 11:18). Perhaps adding to this concern is the fact that many Jews joined the women around Mary and Martha who were giving them comfort (John 11:19).

 

When Martha heard Jesus had arrived, she went to Him complaining that if Jesus had come when summoned, her brother would not have died, but adds that she knew that God would give Jesus whatever he asked (John 11:20-22). Jesus then assures Martha that her brother would rise again (John 11:23). Martha tells Jesus she believes her brother will rise in the resurrection at the last day (John 11:24). Jesus’ response to Martha tells her that He is the resurrection and the life with anyone believing in Him having eternal life (John 3:16, 11:25-26). Jesus then asks Martha if she believes this, with Martha confessing her belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world (John 11:27).

 

Lazarus is sick unto death, with Jesus approached by his sisters, Mary and Martha, seeking for Him to come and heal him. Instead of immediately going to him, Jesus delays and does not arrive until after Lazarus has been in the grave for four days. Unfortunately, Martha does not understand this with her first words to Jesus telling Him that if He had come sooner, her brother would not have died (John 11:21). Even when Jesus told her that her brother would live again, she believed Jesus was referring to the resurrection in the last day perhaps a reference to Jesus discourse with the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23-32). While Lazarus will resurrect from the dead at the rapture when the dead in Christ will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16), Jesus is speaking of His intention to raise Lazarus from the grave. Jesus is not showing a lack of concern for his friend Lazarus, but has a greater miracle in mind so that the disciples might believe He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:15, 25).

 

We know the past, but since we do not live there, we can do nothing about it. We also do not know the future and only have today, so we must trust God for Tomorrow (Matthew 6:31-34). However, the pressures of our pressing needs and concerns can make us impatient when God delays in answering our prayers. This causes us to react like Martha instead of waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). As we will see in the next posting from the Gospel of John, Lazarus does come out of the grave with news of his resurrection causing quite a stir in the community especially the religious leaders (John 11:38-48).

 

Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and if you believe in your heart that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the grave, but have not made a public confession of this belief, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and following through with baptism. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.