Resurrection of Lazarus and the timing of Jesus resurrection.

Léon Bonnat [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Most are familiar with the story of Lazarus. John 11 gives us the account of how word was sent to Jesus about his death. Jesus often does things different than we think he should.

John 11:4 “When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

The disciples thought it strange. First, Jesus waits two more days before deciding to go. Then He says “Let’s go back to Judea.”

The disciples remind him the religious leaders in Judea want to stone you!

John 11:8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Yep! Lazarus our friend is sleeping so I am going to wake him up. Disciples: “Lord is he sleeps, he will get better.” Sounds logical. Right? Nope, like us they made assumptions without understanding. So Jesus plainly tells them, No, He is dead and I am glad I was not there (WHAT?) Why, I ask? Jesus tells them “so that you may believe.” Then there is our special friend, Thomas, the doubting one, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Again, No misunderstood!

Listening is my theme this year. I have a tendency to listen through my own frame of references. Anyone else do that? I do not want to be the only one.

I’m working on it. Some lessons are profoundly hard and exhausting!

Now they go back to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus comforts them. Reminds them, John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Lazarus is resurrected and everyone’s happy and many believe.

Now the second story: Jesus during last week before His death. This is the week of His Passion or Suffering. Most have read the story and maybe even studied it. The connection between the two stories is only a matter of a few weeks. Jesus leaves and returns to Bethany before going to Jerusalem the last time. Mary anoints Him with perfume, Judas is enraged and Jesus reminds Judas, “I am going to suffer and die.”

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Meanwhile, (don’t you just love the meanwhile). Crowds are gathering to see Jesus not only Jesus but Lazarus also. The chief priest made plans to kill Lazarus as well! This I have missed somehow in past readings. It threatened the religious leader’s power and position to let a man raised from the dead walk around since many were turning to believe in Jesus.

Jesus never does anything without purpose; it is always to bring glory to the Father. The connection I see in the two stories is the resurrection. Have you ever had something happen in your life that prepared you for the next event God’s is preparing. I believe the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the Father wants to prepare us for things that happen in our lives. Mary, Martha, the disciples, the people, the chief priests needed a visual example of resurrection after three days in the grave. Jesus had raised others from the dead. But this was fresh in their minds. It would have been close to the time He would experience death and resurrection. Even then they could not see it. But God through His Holy Spirit brings all things to our remembrance. Our triune God sees what is ahead and goes with us preparing us. We must walk close and listen for the signs. Remember He speaks through many ways: His word, people, desires, circumstances and dreams. Why did Jesus wait to raise Lazarus?  I believe He wanted to leave a visual image of the resurrection for them.  Jesus is our hope and he brings hope to His children. Our hope is in the resurrection.  I Thessalonians 4:13-18  “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died^[a] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. ¹⁴ For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”

As we journey through the next week, I hope we are mindful that Jesus continually works things together for our good. One day we will understand fully now “we see as though through a glass dimly.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Four Days Late

Watching and waiting,

Freda Reynolds