Joplin Community of Christ

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Scripture: John 11:1–45

Exploring the Scriptures

The raising of Lazarus is one of the more dramatic accounts of Jesus’ ministry in the four Gospels and is recorded only in the Gospel of John. This miracle occurs just before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It signals what is to come not only for Jesus but for those who choose to follow him. The other Gospel accounts also contain a resurrection story (i.e., the raising of Jairus’ daughter), making the miracle of resurrection common in all the Gospel accounts.

This story makes reference to Mary who “anointed the Lord” early in the text as if to make a clear link between Jesus’ death and resurrection and the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus assures Mary and Martha that Lazarus’ illness will not lead to death but be an occasion for God’s glory to be revealed through the Son of God. His peculiar delay in coming to Bethany shifts the focus from the serious illness to that which is about to be revealed by God through him. The characteristics of trust and faith become central in Mary, Martha, and the disciples’ response to this unfolding story.

His disciples did not want him to go back to Judea—the Jews had just tried to stone him. Similar to his decision to enter Jerusalem, his return to Judea and the raising of Lazarus will inflame the religious establishment against him. Jesus goes because he knows this miracle will help his disciples who still struggle to understand and believe in him.

The scene when Jesus arrives is filled with sorrow. If only he would have come sooner. It had been four days, and, according to Jewish belief, the soul had already left the body. There was no doubt that Lazarus was dead and the finality of death was heavy in the air. Martha is the one who has an unwavering faith that God will grant Jesus’ request. Jesus reassures her that Lazarus will rise again, but Martha misunderstands and assumes he is speaking of the resurrection on the last day.

Jesus then uses this occasion to teach and testify that he is the resurrection and the life. Jesus is the embodiment of life itself in the present and for eternity. Whoever is willing to trust in him will live fully now and forevermore. Jesus then asks Martha if she believes. This question is decisively answered with a testimony similar to Peter’s: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus then moves to the tomb and asks that the stone be rolled away. Martha, still struggling to understand the significance of her earlier conversation with Jesus, reminds him it has been four days. Again Jesus calls her to faith and trust in him. The rock is rolled away from the tomb, and Jesus calls Lazarus to come out. Lazarus emerges, many believe, and the religious leaders become more determined than ever to destroy Jesus.

In the raising of Lazarus, Jesus announces that he is the fulfillment of all their hopes for an alternative future. The promise of resurrection and abundant life is not a far-off dream but available in the present in him. It is evidence that even in the most difficult circumstances, God’s future will emerge. In this story, Jesus invites Mary, Martha, the disciples, and each one of us to have faith in him. This faith is more than a statement of belief. It is a willingness to follow him into the ways of the peaceable kingdom.

Central Ideas

Jesus is the embodiment, the full realization of God’s love and plan for all creation.
In the midst of the darkest circumstances, God’s future will emerge in time. This is the hope we have in the resurrection of Lazarus and more importantly the hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus calls us to have faith in him and journey with him. When we accept the invitation to truly follow him, we experience a fullness of life that has no end.

© 2011, Joplin Community of Christ. All rights reserved.

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