Raising Lazarus Reading: John 11:1-44 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) I have read this passage literally hundreds of times, but I have never tried to put its meaning into words. It is a difficult passage because the message is that death and faith must coexist. For this reason, upon hearing the news about Lazarus, Jesus did not head for Bethany. Instead He said, “I am glad that I wasn’t there, so that you may come to trust.” It is important to see the words “may come to trust” because the concept of death and faith is not a natural coupling. Jesus knows that death is the most difficult time to trust God because our hearts struggle with the reality of death, especially when death makes no sense. This being true, He desperately begs us to trust Him. God does not forbid mourning. He wants us to grieve, so that we may come to know that hope in eternal life is real. John 11:33 says “When Yeshua saw Miryam crying, and also the Judeans who came with her crying, he was deeply moved and also troubled.” And in 11:35, it says that Jesus wept. As a lad in Sunday school I quoted this verse every time I was charged with memorizing a verse. My teachers stopped calling on me because they knew what was coming. Now, I am not sure if I won or lost that contest. Nevertheless, it was not the death of Lazarus that moved Jesus to tears; I firmly believe it was the unbelief of the people. He was not angry or disappointed. He grieved because He knew that without faith, they had no hope. But there is hope. Jesus died and rose again. Thus we too, shall be raised to eternal life. Contrary to the saints, the New Testament never says that Jesus fell asleep in death. He “died” (apothnēskō), freely giving His life to save from eternal doom those who believe (1Pe 2.24). He rose again, and He is alive today. His resurrection is vital to the Christian life. It offers evidence that His sacrifice paid the ransom price demanded by our sin (Romans 3:26). It offers evidence that He conquered sin and death; thereby, validating our faith (1Cor 15:12-23). Praise God, right now we can “habitually live and behave in newness of life” (Rom 6:4) and our resurrection is assured (John 14:1-4). I have tried to answer a call that until now has not knocked on my door. I am sure I failed miserably. But this I know: Our heavenly Father does understand the pain of death; He is well aware of our struggle to add faith. “Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.” (1Thess 4:18)
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:45:46 +0000
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