John 11:1-57 is about the power of Jesus over death, his deep love for his friends, the importance of having faith in the face of sorrow, and the belief in the resurrection of the dead.
1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
4 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.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,
15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.
16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off,
19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
29 When she heard this, she rose quickly and went to him.
30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him.
31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.
34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept.
36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.
43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,
46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.
50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.
56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?”
57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
Setting the Scene for John 11:1-57
The scene in John chapter 11 opens with Jesus receiving word that his dear friend Lazarus is very ill. Jesus is in the town of Bethany, and Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, live there as well. The news of Lazarus’ illness prompts Jesus to declare that this sickness will not end in death but will be used to reveal God’s glory. Despite this, Jesus remains where he is for two more days before deciding to go to Bethany.
Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus finds that Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days. The scene is filled with mourning and grief as friends and family members have gathered to comfort Mary and Martha. Martha, in her distress, goes out to meet Jesus and expresses her faith in him, believing that if he had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus is deeply moved by the sorrow around him and asks to be taken to the tomb.
As they approach the tomb, Jesus commands for the stone to be rolled away. Despite Martha’s initial hesitation due to the stench that would come from the decaying body, the stone is moved, and Jesus calls out to Lazarus to come out. In a miraculous display of power, Lazarus emerges from the tomb, still wrapped in burial cloths. The scene is one of awe and wonder as those present witness the incredible resurrection power of Jesus.
What is John 11:1-57 about?
Just imagine the scene: Jesus, with tears in His eyes, standing before the tomb of His friend Lazarus. With a loud voice, He calls Lazarus to come out, and miraculously, the dead man emerges from the tomb, still wrapped in burial cloths. This powerful moment not only displays Jesus’s divine authority over death but also symbolizes the hope and promise of resurrection for all believers. Jesus is showing in this verse that He is the source of life and that even death cannot defy His ultimate authority. He reveals His power and foreshadows His own impending resurrection by raising Lazarus from the dead, ultimately conquering death for all who believe in Him. This profound miracle serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible for God and that through faith in Jesus, we too can have the hope of eternal life beyond the grasp of death.
Understanding what John 11:1-57 really means
The narrative in John 11:1-57 unveils the poignant account of Lazarus’ death and resurrection, showcasing Jesus’ mastery over life and death. This pivotal event foreshadows Christ’s own resurrection and underscores His divine authority. From the moment Jesus learns of Lazarus’ illness to the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead, every detail underscores the profound significance of this event.
In John 11:25, Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life,” asserting His supremacy over mortality and offering the promise of eternal life through faith in Him. His command, “Lazarus, come out!” in verse 43, not only resurrects Lazarus but symbolizes spiritual awakening and renewal for all believers. The poignant verse, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), reveals Christ’s profound empathy and humanity, showcasing His solidarity with our suffering.
Related passages like John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, and Revelation 21:4 further emphasize the themes of resurrection, eternal life, and the eradication of death. These verses echo the hope and assurance Jesus brings through His power over life and death, resonating with the message of John 11.
The relevance of this narrative to contemporary audiences is profound. Just as Jesus brought hope to Mary and Martha in their despair, He offers hope to us in our darkest moments. The story underscores the power of faith in Jesus to transform seemingly hopeless situations and His unwavering empathy and compassion towards our struggles.
Consider a family grappling with a loved one’s terminal illness. Despite fervent prayers, the situation deteriorates, leading to feelings of abandonment and doubt. Yet, the story of Lazarus serves as a beacon of hope, reminding them of Jesus’ presence in their suffering and His ability to bring life and hope amidst despair. This narrative can reignite their faith, knowing that Jesus can bring light even in the darkest circumstances.
In conclusion, the account of Lazarus epitomizes Jesus’ divine authority and profound compassion. It assures us that He is the ultimate source of life and hope, capable of transforming our deepest sorrows into abounding joy. By entrusting our lives to Him, we can experience His resurrection power both in the present and the eternal life to come.
How can we trust God’s timing in our lives?
We can trust God’s timing in our lives by understanding that He has a perfect plan for each of us. Just like in the verse where Jesus waited for the right time before performing a miracle in the life of Lazarus, we can rest assured that God’s timing is always perfect. Even when it may seem like things are not going according to our own timeline, we can have faith that God is working behind the scenes for our ultimate good.
Trusting in God’s timing also involves having faith in His wisdom and sovereignty. We may not always understand why certain things happen or why we have to wait for certain blessings, but we can trust that God knows what is best for us. Like Martha and Mary in the verse who questioned Jesus about His timing, we may have doubts and uncertainties, but ultimately we can find peace in knowing that God’s plan is always for our highest good. We can experience a deeper sense of peace and contentment in our lives by surrendering our will and desires to God and putting our trust in His perfect timing. When we let go of our own need for control and instead place our faith in God’s timing, we can rest assured that He is working all things together for our good, even when we may not see it in the moment.
Application
Imagine you’re juggling the demands of work and family, feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges. In John 11:1-57, Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a reminder that no situation is too dire for Him to handle. Just as you rely on a mentor or a trusted colleague, lean on Jesus for strength and guidance. Stop doubting and start believing in His timing and power. Will you embrace this faith and let Him transform your circumstances?
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.