“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN”

St. JOHN 11:28-44

The Raising of Lazarus

Demonstration of Christ’s Love and Power

The main or chief aim of John’s gospel message is to present Christ as Deity, the eternal Son of God, who became man and tabernacled on earth for a period of thirty-three years, with His earthly ministry lasting for three years.  As we have surveyed this grand and superb book, two rather prominent points are emphasized throughout this gospel: (1) the Divinity of our blessed Saviour and (2) His peerless human perfections.  The wonderful book of John discloses or reveals the pre-incarnate glories of Christ, manifesting that Christ subsisted in the beginning, having fellowship with God, and that He was and is God Himself (St. John 1:1).  Also, this grand gospel presents the superb union of both the Divine and human perfections of Christ united in one person.  What an awesome gospel presentation we are studying!

At the outset of this passage, you will recall that Jesus had received information that Lazarus was ill, but He did not immediately come to Bethany; in fact, upon receiving the news, He remained two days where He was.  By remaining where He was, Christ will demonstrate that His principle purpose was to manifest God’s glory (St. John 11:4).  When our Lord arrived at Bethany, His tender compassion for Lazarus’ sisters will be profoundly shown as He beheld the grieving sisters.  In verse 28, Martha informs her sister that the Master had arrived and that Jesus called for her.  In Martha’s judgment, she felt that Mary would be benefited and blessed by hearing the life-changing words of Christ (St. John 11:25-6).  In contemplating the sorrowing condition of both sisters’ hearts, it would greatly benefit us when bereavement strikes our family in knowing that Christ’s life-changing words bring comfort.

Upon hearing that Jesus had arrived in verse 29, Mary rises and goes forth to meet Jesus, the One at whose feet she loved to sit.  With steadfast composure and tenderness, our Lord awaits the arrival of Mary, for Mary valued being in His presence! (v. 30).  As Mary hastily went to meet Jesus, many of the Jews who followed her thought that she went to the grave to privately grieve (v. 31).  Like her sister, Mary expresses the sentiment of her heart as she approached Jesus by saying – “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” (v. 32).  Our Lord expresses His undue concern for this grieving situation and was deeply affected by human malady (v. 33).  Our Lord was so affected by this grieving situation that He asked – “Where have ye laid him?  They said unto Him, Lord, come and see” (v. 34).

Although verse 35 – “Jesus wept” is the shortest verse in the bible, this verse really reveals that our Lord has a profound concern for human malady.  Yes, our Lord still weeps for the sorrow and desolation that sin brought to the human experience!  To some degree, the great sympathy in which the Master expressed, was demonstrated to this grieving family in the presence of the Jews who followed Mary, for verse 36 says – “Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him!”  In verse 37, the ever-present voice of unbelief was evident, for the carping critics said – “Could not this Man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?”  Those who are spiritually blind are always trying to blame God!

Although Christ was deeply affected by the Lazarus situation, He acts in complete mastery of the situation (v. 38-39).  With Martha being obsessed with the overwhelming crisis of the scene, Jesus directed her attention to the fact of the manifestation of God’s glory, even displayed at the gravesite of Lazarus (v. 40).  Although Jesus had the power to raise Lazarus because of who He is, He was always subject and dependent on His Father (v. 41-42).  With a triumphant command, Christ called Lazarus from the grave; thus, He demonstrated that He had power over the grave! (v. 43).  At the powerful voice of Christ, the king of terror, death, must release its’ prey (v.44).  May God bless!