Most all of us have had to face the death of someone who was near and dear to us. One thing you know for sure as you look at the coffin, is that person is not going to get up and start living again. In our sorrow and grief, that truth is a painful one. Once those hospital monitors show a flat line, that is it. There is nothing more that the doctors, despite all of their expertise, can do. We are told that death is final. That is, until the Lord Jesus Christ steps in. He is the One that conquered death by His resurrection from the dead, and who gives us a hope that goes beyond the grave. In our rather lengthy Scripture passage today from the Gospel of John we see Jesus’ power and victory over death and the grave, and read of the hope that He gives us that goes beyond the grave.
The events recorded in our Scripture happened about one to two weeks before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Jesus and His disciples had crossed to the farther side of the Jordan River for their safety, as the religious authorities were hostile and threatening to Him following His messages about being the Good Shepherd. While there He received a message from His very good friends Martha and Mary that their brother Lazarus was extremely ill, and would He please come to them (vs. 1-5). Everyone thought that Jesus would leave immediately, since these were very dear friends of His. However, Jesus delayed for two days (vs. 6). Why? Was it because He really didn’t care?
When there seems to be no answer to our prayers is that the reason? Is it because God doesn’t care? God’s timing often feels slow, but His delays are never mistakes. Silence from heaven has a purpose. Silence grabs our attention and teaches us to trust. God’s love is not measured by immediate deliverance. Jesus had a purpose in His delay. Jesus knew that though Lazarus died, what would follow would be for the glory of God. When we pray, we can rest in His love even when the answer tarries.
After delaying for two days Jesus left to go to His friends in Bethany, which was right outside of Jerusalem. Despite the recent threats, His disciples went with Him (vs. 7-16). Jesus’ obedience to the Father is fearless and unwavering. Spiritual light is found in walking according to God’s will. It may involve risk, but obedience is the safest place spiritually.
When Jesus arrived at Bethany Lazarus had been dead for four days. He was beyond any natural hope. Of the two sisters, Martha was the first to go outside the village, near to where Lazarus was buried, to greet Jesus. Though she had faith, she was filled with grief. She told Him that if He had only been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus would have healed him (vs. 17-22). Jesus proceeded to give one of His greatest declarations, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (vs. 23-27). Jesus is not merely the giver of resurrection He is resurrection. Martha then confessed her faith that Jesus was the promised Messiah (vs. 27). Faith can co-exist with sorrow. Jesus meets us in both. Our hope in death is not abstract, it is anchored in the living Christ.
The other sister, Mary, then proceeded to go out and talk to Jesus. Her profound, overwhelming grief touched Jesus, and He also began to cry (vs. 32-37). God is not unmoved by human suffering. Jesus enters into our grief without diminishing His deity. Jesus’ weeping rose from a grief, not only for His friend, but also for all humanity stuck in death’s grip.
With Mary, Martha, their friends, and His disciples around Him, all gathered by the tomb, Jesus told them to remove the large stone before the entrance to the tomb. Martha objected because of the smell of the decaying body (vs. 38-40). However Jesus was not operating by His human senses. He was operating by faith. If He had listened to His senses He would have left, with no miracle. He saw the stone in front of the grave. He could smell the decayed body. He could hear the mourners. He could taste His own tears. But Jesus operated in faith. Don’t trust your feelings, because we are to walk by faith, not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).
The stone was removed, and Jesus cried out with divine authority, “Lazarus, come forth!” Lazarus emerged, still bound in graveclothes. Only God can command the dead to rise, and Jesus, as the Second Person of the Trinity, has absolute authority over death. This miracle foreshadowed His own resurrection about two weeks later. This is also a picture of dead sinners made alive. Not only does Jesus bring physical life, He also brings spiritual life to dead sinners. Salvation is entirely His work. Lazarus contributed nothing. He was dead until Jesus called his name.
What is the final answer to all of the trials we face? It is the hope of the bodily resurrection. How can we know for sure that it will occur? We can by the fact of Jesus’ resurrection. Because He has been raised, we too shall rise!
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