The Raising of Lazarus

John 11 (Read all)

General Context

• Jesus did many miracles, only about 40 are recorded – John 21.25

• These 7 are carefully chosen by the Holy Spirit through John to produce faith in Jesus – 20.30-31

• Having presented Jesus as God – John 1.1-3, 14

• He turns to these seven signs that form backbone of John’s gospel; this is the last

General Context

• This miracle and two others are linked with one of the 7 “I Am” statements Jesus used to describe Himself.– Feeding 5000 – “I am the Bread of life”– Healing blind man – “I am the light…”– Raising Lazarus – “I am the resurrection…”

• These also form a framework of John’s gospel

Immediate Context

• Jesus and disciples beyond Jordan after furor over healing blind man

• About a day’s walk from Bethany and Jerusalem

• Mary, Martha, Lazarus live in Bethany– a village now called al-Eizariya, place of

Lazarus, is claimed by the Palestinians as the site of Bethany, and they even have a tomb marked as the place of this resurrection scene – all of which may or may not be true

Immediate Context

• Why the Lord chose to stay two days after hearing of Lazarus’ illness…

– Purpose of Lazarus’ illness and death– Higher purpose was served by Jesus’

seeming lack of concern– Great lesson for us all when troubles

come

Immediate Context

• The Lord’s description of death – sleep

– For the saint of God it is a restful time– Should we depart this life in the Lord, we will

be “asleep in Jesus” – 1 Thess. 4.14– Not so for those who are not found in Him –

“…being in torments in Hades, the rich man lifted up his eyes…” (Luke 16.23)

Immediate Context

• The conversation with Martha about resurrection –

–Martha knew of a coming resurrection on “the last day”

– Jesus IS the Resurrection and the Life– Read again John 11.23-27

Immediate Context

• The reaction of the Lord when Mary comes to Him

– Groaned in Himself– Troubled in spirit–Wept

The Miracle

• Not a new thing for the Lord…

– Had already raised Jairus’ daughter – Mk 5; Lk 8 (only parents and disciples allowed to see)

– Only son of a widow at Nain – Luke 7 (disciples, crowd with Him and with widow)

– None had reached 4 days in the tomb!

The Miracle

• Very public

– Prayed aloud– Loud voice– Defiance of death– “I have overcome the world!”• “abolished death and brought life and

immorality to light” 2 Tim. 1.10• “the last enemy…destroyed…” 1 Cor. 15.26

The Meaning

• Jesus will one day shout from heaven and all will come forth from the graves.

– John 5.24-19

The Meaning(John 5:24-29 NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. {25} "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. {26} "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, {27} "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. {28} "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice {29} "and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

The Demand

• This is evidence that demands a verdict

–Many believed – John 11.45– Others went and told His enemies• Who wanted to kill Him• And Lazarus because He was walking proof

The Question

• What is your verdict?

• Those who reject it reject Him Who is the Resurrection and the Life

• Those who believe and obey have a living hope…

The Victory

(1 Cor 15:51-55 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." {55} "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"