John 11:17-20 — John 11:33-44
A person typically could travel about 25 miles in a day during New Testament times. Jesus upon hearing the news Lazarus was sick tarried two more days in Bethabara John 10:40 before setting out to Bethany. Even the most direct route to Bethany would take no less than 1½ days journey up to the better part of 3 days.
There are only 5 recorded time in the New Testament people were raised from the dead. Jesus restored life to the daughter of Jairus Matthew 9:918-26, the widow from Nain’s son Luke 7:11-17, and here to his good friend Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary John 11:1-44. Peter also restored life to the wonderful lady Dorcas Acts 9:36-42. Yet one final time by Paul when he restored the life of Eutychus Acts 20:7-12.
The restoration of life is indeed remarkable and is noted as such by all the synoptic writers, except in the case of Lazarus. John is the only one who records this sign of Jesus and devotes quite a large space to recording each detail. John also tells us Lazarus raising was responsible for the subsequent arrest, trial & crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ John 11:45-53.
The sisters, Mary & Martha were apparently close but motivated by very different factors. Martha, appears to be the practical one motivated by tasks and propriety Luke 10:38f, John 11:20f. Mary’s motivation was mostly emotional as we see in Luke 10:39f and in our scripture John 11:28-33. Jesus was able to relate to both and provide properly for their needs.
It is not known what ills Lazarus suffered from only that it was sufficient for his sisters, Mary and Martha to send for Jesus. Nor do we know why Matthew, Mark & Luke fail to record this event in the life of Jesus given it describes some of our Lords finest traits. There is not much doubt Jesus knew for the beginning he was going to Bethany to restore life to his friend John 11:11f. He lingers in the place where John the Baptist had preached and then takes a couple more day before talking to Martha of the events that had transpired. Martha then informs Mary of the Lords arrival. She leaves the house and fellow mourners so quickly they follow and witness her great distress which is evident to Jesus. Christ then comes to the grave, commands it to be opened and Lazarus to come out. Lazarus appears from the cave still in his burial cloth and apparently the mourners remove them for him.
This will not be the last Sign recorded by John before the arrest of Jesus John 18:10. There in the midst of the garden Malchus, Caiaphas the
high priest servant, ear is restored. Yes Jesus shows his compassion on even those misguided souls who would take him to die on the cross. Every follower of Jesus Christ has experienced the great compassion of our Lord. Each has received forgiveness of our sins and continue to do so through out our life. Our sins and the sins of every soul in the world lay upon the head of Jesus. We remember each first day of the week and every minute of every day our whole life through.
Questions for Discussion:
- How many times in the New Testament did Jesus & the apostles raise people from the dead?
- In what town near Jerusalem did Mary, Martha & Lazarus live?
- When Jesus learned Lazarus was sick, where was he? How long after did he wait before going to Bethany?
- Who came to comfort Mary and Martha, and where were they from?
- Which sister saw Jesus first and which one said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”?
- Beyond John 11:35 “Jesus Wept” being the shortest verse in the bible, what else might this tell us about Jesus?
- Why did Jesus lift His face to heaven and pray before he called Lazarus to come out of the tomb? What does his prayer tells us about the purpose of the Signs?
- What part did the raising of Lazarus play in the trial, and death of Jesus?
- What is the significance of the miracles from Christians who want to understand and imitate the life of Jesus?
