John 11:1-16 John 11 opens with a new figure in Jesuss ministry, one that led to one of His great miracles. The passage mentions the man, Lazarus of Bethany, immediately. This stresses the importance of this man. This man was a true friend of Jesus. He lived with two more friends of Jesus. Jesus heard that Lazarus lay ill and that it seemed to be a serious situation. In verse 4, Jesus states, 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.” Jesus knows what is to come. Of course, when he tells Mary and Martha this, they do not see what Jesus truly means, believing that Jesus has just reassured them Lazarus would be okay, that he would survive and give God the glory. Jesus stayed where He was for an extra two days. No reason is given as to why Jesus stayed but we do not need to know. God says numerous times in the Bible that man will never know all the ways of God. Jesus knew His mission and what he needed to do and that proved to be what was done. Two days later, He tells His disciples that He would go back into Judea. Well this was where Jesus preached in chapter 10. Judeans wanted nothing more than to kill Jesus at this point along with His disciples. He was a marked man. So the disciples understandably held some reservations at just walking back into enemy territory. The disciples ask Jesus, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” (v.8). They knew Lazarus was sick but Jesus was no doctor. The disciples believed this was a crazy notion by Jesus. Going back to Judea after such a controversial teaching seemed to be suicide. Jesus answers them again in another way that only He can. He stated earlier in John that He is the light of the world and that anyone who walks in the Light will not live in darkness. Again, here Jesus states something similar to His disciples. He tells them that if they walk by day, they walk by the Light of the world, which is a direct reference to Himself. The Light of the world walked with these disciples, so they had nothing to fear. Walking by the night causes man to stumble because no light is in them. Jesus was saying that f the disciples cling to Him and trust in Him, nothing the world threw at them would destroy them. He tells them that Lazarus is asleep and needs to be waken up by Christ. Later in scripture we see this reference again in speaking of Jesuss death and how He was the first fruit of those fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15). Jesus knew that Lazarus had died, but He wanted to go give Him new life. In verses 14 and 15, Jesus instructs His disciples, Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” At this point, the disciples are more confused. Jesus tells them once again to follow Him so they might further believe in Him. They could have turned away at this point, returned home and avoided death. It was the logical, practical solution. But at this time the disciples of Christ knew Jesus was different, knew He was sent by God, knew that if He said He wanted to go and wake Lazarus up, they were not going to stand in His way. At this point, they wanted to follow Jesus, even with their lives at stake. Thomas, the disciple notorious for doubting and being a little pessimist, said “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (v.16). They knew the situation and believed that if they were to die, they wanted it to be with Jesus Christ. They followed Christ, threw hesitations aside, and followed the one they now trusted with their lives. That is a passage that all Christians should look to for guidance. As followers of Christ, we know the risks and dangers. We may forsake popularity, stability, and reason as defined by the world, but we no longer live by that world because that world is filled with darkness. We live the eternal life, walking in and through the Light of the world who always moves when and where He desires.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:22:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015