Read John 11:1-44.

Introduction⤒🔗

Fog has followed the vacationers for days, enveloping their little rented Opal as they make their way along the narrow, winding roads of southern Germany’s Bodensee. The mist is thick and depressing, and they find it hard to muster much enthusiasm for the trip to Bavaria. They ride for several hours in a gray, monotonous fog; the only realization that they are beginning to climb into the Bavarian mountains is the whine of the engine that causes them to shift into lower gear.

As they continue to climb, they are suddenly flooded with the warm rays of the golden sun; they have emerged out of the fog and now find themselves in the crystal-clear mountaintop environment. They find themselves in an ancient hilltop village with gray cobblestone streets and white church spires that tower into the blue sky. There is not a trace of fog. They have entered into sunshine, and worship. It is Sunday, and through the streets come the worshipers: the clergy in flowing white robes, followed by the choir in purple and gold, and then come the villagers marching to the toll of the bells. The moment, and the experience, is glorious and sacred.¹

What these summer vacationers experienced in their journey to the top of the Bavarian Alps, their journey through thick, depressing fog into brilliant sunshine and worship, may well depict the Christian’s pilgrimage. We must appreciate the fact that Christ leads His people through tribulation into resurrection life.

As we enter the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John, we are met with the report of sickness and death: the sickness and death of one very dear to Jesus. As we continue in this chapter of Scripture we find the initial actions of Jesus to be confusing and contrary to all expectation. As we progress still further in the chapter, we find ourselves surrounded by grief, (Mary and the Jews wailing, Jesus Himself weeping), and despair, (vs. 21) and death. But it is in this very situation that the Lord Jesus Christ makes His greatest claim: “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” and performs His greatest miracle.

We must appreciate the fact that the Lord Jesus leads His people through tribulation into resurrection life. Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, we can trust Him to bring us safely through tribulation and into life.

Although Christ may Lead You through Tribulation, Do Not Doubt His Love←⤒🔗

Seeing the serious nature of Lazarus’ illness, seeing that his life was ebbing away, the sisters (Mary and Martha) send an urgent message to Jesus: “Lord, the one whom you love is sick” (vs. 3). Verse five informs us of Jesus’ love for this family and for each individual member of it: “Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” This word of commentary and assurance is important in the light of Christ’s unexpected response as recorded in verse six.

When Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, He remained “at that time,” that critical time, that time when Lazarus’ life hung in the balance, that time when Lazarus’ life was ebbing away; “at that time” Jesus remained in the place where He was. “At that time” Jesus stayed right where He was until the crisis had passed, and the one whom He loved had succumbed to death. Can we even begin to imagine how difficult that must have been for Jesus? He loved Lazarus; He had the power to heal him; He had enough time to get to his bedside. Indeed, He did not even need to come personally; He had only to speak the word, as He had done in the healing of the nobleman’s son (Jn. 4:49-53).

Despite the fact that our Lord does not deal with us in the way we would desire, (He does not allow us to be exempt from the variety of trials and griefs found in this world), and despite the fact that He does not immediately rush to our aid to shield us or deliver us from pain of body or soul, His Word assures us of His unfailing love and concern for us as His blood-bought children. He assures us through the prophet Jeremiah, “The LORD appeared to me in the past, [saying], ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’” (Jer. 31:3a).

Then—-after the critical hour had passed—-Jesus determined to return to Judea, (where the village of Bethany was located), despite the protests and warnings of His disciples: “Rabbi, just recently the Jews were trying to stone you; and yet you are going back there?” (vs. 8) The disciples were concerned that Jesus would be risking His life by venturing back into hostile enemy territory. Indeed, out of love for His own, Jesus would do more than risk His life, He would voluntarily lay down His life:

¹¹I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... ¹⁸No one takes it away from me, I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father. Jn. 10:11,18

Upon arriving at Bethany, Jesus is received by Martha with the words, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (vs. 21). These were words filled with regret: if only Jesus had been present, if only Jesus had acted sooner, this loss would not have occurred. These words may also have contained a mild rebuke: Lord, we were really counting on you to come. Lord, you let us down. Here is the sentiment sometimes thought but seldom spoken: If only Jesus would act, if only He would show more concern, our pain and grief could be avoided.

Arriving at the gravesite of His beloved friend, Lazarus, Jesus broke into tears, “Jesus wept.” This display of emotion and love was so tender and gripping that it caused those who observed it to exclaim, “See how [much] he loved him!” (vs. 36)

Although Christ may lead us through tribulation and trial, let us not doubt His love. Let us remember, too, the words of Lamentations 3:33, “[the LORD] does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” That is to say, the LORD does not take delight in the trials He brings into the lives of His children; He only does what is necessary to accomplish His good purposes. As the Apostle Peter explains to Christians who found themselves in the midst of severe trial: “now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials” (1 Pet. 1:6).

Although Christ may Lead You through Tribulation, Do Not Doubt His Ability←⤒🔗

When we read the words of verse six, (having received word that Lazarus was gravely ill, Jesus stayed where He was for two days), we may be tempted to question Jesus’ compassion. When the disciples are informed of Jesus’ decision to return to Judea (vs. 7), they question Jesus’ wisdom (vs. 8). They probably reasoned that it was wise and prudent of Jesus to restrain Himself when He received word of His dear friend’s illness. But now, getting caught up and carried away with emotion, it is foolish for Jesus to venture back into enemy territory when the Jewish leaders would be waiting for the opportunity to put Him to death. When Jesus informs His disciples that Lazarus has “fallen asleep” and that He must now go to awaken him out of sleep (vs. 11), the disciples are even more confused: “The disciples replied, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get better” (vs. 12).

Jesus’ words and actions tend to confuse us and even tempt us to question His ability and His wisdom; they may tempt us to question His competence. But note that in the passage before us, Jesus’ present actions only become intelligible when they are viewed from the perspective of His climactic act: the resurrection of Lazarus.

Why did Jesus allow His dear friend to die? He did so in order that He could raise him again from the grave. Why did Jesus desire to resurrect Lazarus? His purpose was that His disciples might have their faith strengthened and increased; the Lord Jesus says to them: “for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe; but [now] let us go to him” (vs. 15). Why was it important for the disciples to have their faith strengthened at this particular time? It was important in order that they might be prepared for the events that lay ahead: Jesus is about to allow Himself to be taken into custody by the Jewish leaders and be put to death. But the event that is about to take place in Bethany, (i.e. the resurrection of Lazarus), is meant to provide the disciples with the assurance that despite Jesus’ crucifixion, He, indeed, is the Resurrection and the Life.

Jesus’ present actions with regard to our lives or with regard to the church may tend to confuse us and tempt us to doubt His wisdom and ability, His competence. On those occasions, let us remember that at times our Lord’s present course of action, (or inaction), only becomes intelligible when viewed from the perspective of His great climactic act, (that ultimate climactic act being the Great Resurrection of His people on the Last Day).

We may request Him to show us how His present course of action is intended to be used in our lives, (or for the sake of His church). Maybe His intention is to prune and purge us for greater fruitfulness: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener...he prunes every [branch] that bears fruit, so that it may bear more fruit” (Jn. 15:1-2). Maybe His intention is to prepare us for some severe event that lies ahead, so that we may possess (and administer) confidence and assurance to other believers and be a witness to the world for Christ. The Apostle Paul testifies, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; ⁴who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Maybe His intention is to draw us closer to Himself and cause us to rely upon Him more completely, as was the case with the trial the Apostle Paul experienced:

⁸We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. ⁹Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened so that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. 2 Cor. 1:8-10

We must realize that His very identity: “I AM the Resurrection,” implies, not a deliverance from death, but a total deliverance after death and out of death and over death. We should not expect to necessarily be delivered from trials, but we may certainly be confident that He will totally deliver us out of trial and beyond trial:

...after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will personally restore you, support you, strengthen you, and establish you. ¹¹To him belongs the dominion forever. Amen. 1 Pet. 5:10-11

When the Jews beheld Jesus weeping at the tomb, they raised the same question that had been asked twice before (cf. vs. 21 and 32): “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have prevented the death of this man? (vs. 37) If Jesus had been here earlier, could He not have prevented this man from dying? The implication is that now that Lazarus is dead all hope is gone, it is now too late; now Jesus can do nothing more than join the mourners in weeping over the loss of their loved one.

When Jesus’ course of action with regard to our lives, (or with regard to the church, or with regard to His cause in the world), tends to confuse us and tempts us to doubt His ability, (i.e. His power, His competence), remember the work He performed that day at the tomb just outside of the village of Bethany:

³⁹Jesus said, Remove the stone...[Jesus] cried out in a loud voice, ⁴³Lazarus, come out. ⁴⁴The one who was dead came out, wrapped hand and foot in grave clothes; and there was a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, Unwrap him, and let him go. Jn. 11:39,43-44

Let us remember that Jesus will employ His divine power in accordance with His wisdom, not necessarily in response to our request or desire. Let us rest assured that He will finally exercise that divine power to rescue us, body and soul, so that we may reign with Him in His Father’s kingdom:

And this is the will of him who sent me, [namely], that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰My Father’s will is that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn. 6:39-40

Although Christ may lead us through tribulation, let us not doubt His ability.

Although Christ may Lead You through Tribulation, Be Assured that It will Result in Life—to the Glory of God←⤒🔗

Upon receiving word of Lazarus’ illness, Jesus informs His disciples, “this sickness is...for the sake of the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it” (vs. 4). God will use this adversity, this “tragedy,” in the life of His child, Lazarus, as an occasion to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ.

He who did not spare His own Son, does not spare His own children either, but for His own glory He subjects us to trials, and even to the death. Consider the testimony of the Psalmist:

For you, O God, have tested us; you have refined us like silver. ¹¹You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. ¹²You caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.Psl. 66:10-12

Then, upon the accomplishment of the purpose for which the divinely-ordained trial was intended, in His great faithfulness, the LORD will bestow upon us His own divine blessing:

...now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials. ⁷[This has happened] so that the genuineness of your faith, [being of] greater value than gold that perishes, having been tested by fire, may be verified, [resulting] in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:6-7

Our purified Christian faith, (which is the objective of subjecting us to necessary trials), will finally result in “praise and glory” to God, for creating a being who is voluntarily true to Him no matter what God sees fit to bring into his life. Our purified Christian faith will finally result in “honor” for us, as the reward for being true to God no matter what He has ordained for us to experience in this present earthly life.

In the words of the hymn writer, Katharina von Schlegel:

Be still, my soul; the LORD is on thy
ide; Bear patiently the cross of grief
or pain. Leave to thy God to order
and provide; In every change He
faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul;
Thy best, thy heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul:
Thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness
All He takes away.

We must be cognizant of the fact, and humbly accept the fact, that all things center on God, focus on God, and contribute to His glory. With regard to this trial, (the death of Lazarus and the grief it brought to those who loved him), and it final outcome, the Lord Jesus declares, “This sickness is not for death, but for the sake of the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it” (vs. 4).

It is only when we acknowledge and accept this truth that we are delivered from bitterness and resentment, and come to experience the blessing of God that He bestows upon those who glorify and honor Him by submitting to His will, even when it is difficult or hard to understand.

Martha is requested, indeed, required, to trust Christ. It was a trustful commitment that meant enduring the pain of opening the tomb of her deceased brother who had been dead for four days. When He arrives at the gravesite, the Lord Jesus issues the command, “Remove the stone!” What an unusual request! Does He want to pay His last respects to the deceased? Does He not realize the traumatic effect of such a request on the bereaved? Has He no respect for the dead? How insensitive the LORD appears to be!

Martha, as the sister of the deceased, must step forward to remind Jesus that by this time the corpse stinks, for he has been dead for four days! Jesus now instructs Martha to trust Him, even though what He asks her to go through is extremely painful, and He assures her that in so doing she shall see the glory of God.

Earlier, Martha had expressed he faith in the Lord: ”She said to him, Yes, Lord; I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into the world” (vs. 27) Now, she is called upon to affirm her faith by her actions, and she does so by giving her consent for the stone to be removed from the entrance to the tomb. True to Jesus’ word, she sees the glory of God displayed in the resurrection of her beloved brother:

So they removed the stone. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me; but I said it for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me. ⁴³After having said this, [Jesus] cried out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. ⁴⁴The one who was dead came out, wrapped hand and foot in grave clothes; and there was a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, Unwrap him, and let him go. Jn. 11:41-44

Although Christ may lead us through tribulation, let us be assured that it will result in life—unto the glory of God.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Jesus declares: “I AM the Resurrection and the Life.” We must appreciate what these words mean: Christ leads His people through tribulation into resurrection life. Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, we can trust Him to bring us safely through tribulation, trials, and death itself, and into the fullness of spiritual (and finally eternal) life.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How is Lazarus described (cf. Jn. 11:1), and who was his sister (cf. Jn. 11:2)? What was Jesus’ feeling toward them (cf. Jn. 11:5)? Given this information, what would you expect Jesus to do? But what, in fact, does He do? See Jn. 11:6. As a Christian, do you ever find the way Jesus works in your life to be perplexing or inexplicable? When Peter had such an experience on the occasion of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, what did Jesus assure him? See Jn. 13:7; cp. 1 Cor. 13:12,

Now a certain man [named] Lazarus was sick; he was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was the same woman who had anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent [word] to [Jesus], saying, Lord, the one whom you love is sick. Jn. 11:1-3

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. ⁶Yet, when he heard that [Lazarus] was sick, he stayed at that time in the place where he was for two more days. Jn. 11:5-6

Jesus replied, You do not now understand what I am doing; but later you will understand. Jn. 13:7

At present, we see an obscure image in a mirror, but then [we will see] face to face. At present, I know [things] partially; but then I will know fully, just as I am fully known.1 Cor. 13:12

2. What does Jesus tell His disciples about Lazarus’ sickness (cf. Jn. 11:4a); but what will He soon inform them (cf. Jn. 11:14)? Would this have been baffling to the disciples? But what else did Jesus tell His disciples? See Jn. 11:4b. By means of this trying and stressful situation, what would Jesus demonstrate? See Jn. 11:25a. What is significant about the timing of this miracle; what was Jesus about to undergo (cf. Mk. 10:33-34)? As a Christian, what wonderful assurance does it give you to know that the Lord Jesus not only claims to be, but demonstrates that He, in fact, is The Resurrection and the Life?

But when Jesus heard this, he said, This sickness is not for death... Jn. 11:4

Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus is dead. Jn. 11:14

But when Jesus heard this, he said, This sickness is not for death, but for the sake of the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it.Jn. 11:4

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life.Jn. 11:25

[He said], Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem; but the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; they shall condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles. ³⁴[The Gentiles] shall mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him; but after three days he shall rise again.Mk. 10:33-34

3. Knowing that His dear friend was gravely ill, and that He had to restrain Himself from acting until Lazarus had succumbed to death, how difficult do you think this was for the Lord Jesus? Note Jn. 11:35-36. What do the Scriptures tell us about our Lord’s compassion and empathy for His people? See Heb. 2:17a; 4:15. As Christians, what must we remember when we are subjected to grievous trials? See 1 Pet. 1:6b; Lam. 3:32-33,

He asked, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. ³⁵Jesus wept. ³⁶Then the Jews said, See how [much] he loved him! Jn. 11:34-36

...in all things he had to be made like his brethren, so that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Heb. 2:17

...we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15

...now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials. 1 Pet. 1:6

Though he causes grief, yet he will show compassion according to the multitude of his mercies; ³³for he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Lam. 3:32-33

4. When Jesus arrived at Bethany, what is the emotional atmosphere engulfing the village and its inhabitants? See Jn. 11:21, 32, and esp. vs. 37. How does Jesus react to the limited view the people have with regard to His ability? See Jn. 11:33, 38a. Do we ever grieve, or even anger, our Lord by our lack of faith in the face of trials? What does the Apostle Paul testify? See Phil. 4:13, 19,

Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn. 11:21

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jn. 11:32

...some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have prevented the death of this man? Jn. 11:37

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her [also] weeping, he groaned in his spirit and was troubled.Jn. 11:33

Jesus, again groaning within himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, with a stone laid against [the entrance]. Jn. 11:38

The Greek word translated “to groan,” also contains the connotation “to be indignant,” “to be moved with indignation.”

I am able to do all things by him who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19

5. Was Lazarus’ resurrection a “repeatable event,” if only we have enough faith to believe; or was it a unique event intended to serve a unique purpose at a unique time? What does John call the several miracles he has recorded? See Jn. 20:30. But as Christians, what sure hope do we share with Martha? See Jn. 11:24. Why is this a sure and certain hope for the Christian? See Jn. 11:25a,

Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples that are not recorded in this book. Jn. 20:30

Martha replied, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. ²⁵Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life... Jn. 11:24-25a

“Father, I can fight no more,” I prayed. “I give it all back. Forgive me. If You want me crippled or dead, it is all right. I just know I need and want You. I am too tired to go on alone.”