Lazarus Dies

Lesson #176

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill” (John 11:1 – 2 ESV).  We spend most of the last lesson trying to determine if this Mary also anointed the head of Jesus. Scripture doesn’t name that person, but tradition identifies this Mary with that woman. After considering a number of things we also assumed the probably that it was this Mary. Let us continue in our study.

“So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3 ESV). Lazarus was apparently sick enough to cause concern, so the sisters sent someone to inform Jesus that Lazarus was sick. John makes it very clear by the wording of this request that Jesus had a special place in his heart for this family. “But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it”” (John 11:4 ESV). Looking ahead, we know that Lazarus does die, but if we look ahead even further, we know that he lives again physically. Death is not the real issue, but the glory of God is. Jesus healed illness and raised others to increase the faith of those witnessing the events, demonstrating his ability to do the works of God. In restoring physical life to Lazarus, Jesus will use this as an illustration in teaching those there, that he has the power to also restore spiritual life. In chapter 9, Jesus used a man born blind and demonstrated the works of God by restoring his sight. What Jesus has in mind here is to demonstrate that he has the power to give spiritual life to a person born spiritually dead.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5 ESV). Again, John emphasizes the love Jesus has for this family because he knows that Jesus is going to do something that on the surface doesn’t show much love on his part for this family. “So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was” (John 11:6 ESV). Jesus knew that if he stayed those two extra days, it would mean certain death for Lazarus. Jesus chose to wait to be sure Lazarus would be dead when he filled the request to come to be with Lazarus and his sisters. At the end of waiting these two days, Jesus tells his disciples his plans to go visit. We will look at their response in our next lesson.

Prayer

Father, how often you do things that at first glance seem not to make sense or demonstrate your love for me, but time has a way to revealing that your ways and thoughts are not necessarily my ways and thoughts. You are all knowing and you see things and have plans I don’t know about. Scripture is clear and you demonstrate to me so often that you deeply love me and want the best for me. Father, help me fully trust all of my life into your loving hands. Conform me into the image of your beloved Son.