LAZARUS

Lazarus Has Died

John 11:1–16 ESV

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “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.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “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.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Lazarus, Mary, & Martha

Lazarus, Mary, & Martha were siblings, who lived in a village called Bethany.

Jesus spent a significant amount of time in Bethany and got to know this family.

“He whom you love is ill.”

Lazarus was ill.

Mary & Martha send word to Jesus that His friend is ill.

“This illness does not lead to death.”

Jesus’ response is reassuring.

Lazarus is ill, but he won’t die.

In fact, he is sick to the glory of God.

This incident ought to make us reconsider every bad thing that has ever happened to us.

Lazarus was sick to the glory of God!

Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

This may seem like a given because we know that Jesus loves everyone, but this was a different kind of love than when we typically talk about Jesus’ love for people.

Jesus was living a human life – even while He was fully God and fully man.

This was the sort of relationship that any human being might have.

He had probably stayed with them for a significant amount of time.

He had developed a human friendship and affection for them.

And yet, when He heard the new that Lazarus was ill, He stayed where he was for two whole days.

“Let’s go to Judea again”

After two days had elapsed, Jesus suggests that they return to Bethany in Judea.

Bethany was just outside of Jerusalem.

The disciples don’t like this idea.

1. The Jews had increased their efforts to kill Jesus.

2. The disciples are afraid that in their fury, the Pharisees & Scribes might stone Jesus in the street.

f. Lazarus has fallen asleep.

i. Jesus tells the disciples that he wants to go there because Lazarus has fallen asleep.

ii. Jesus is using a euphemism for Lazarus’ death.

1. The disciples don’t understand this.

2. They make the very logical observation that those who are ill should sleep – it is crucial for recovery.

iii. Jesus makes it plain by stating bluntly that Lazarus has died.

1. But He also knows that this will allow the disciples to witness a miracle.

iv. Thomas is not optimistic.

1. He states that they might as well go and die alongside him.

2. The danger of Jesus going so near to Jerusalem is very real.