The Raising of Lazarus
John 11 (Read all)
General Context
• Jesus did many miracles, only about 40
are recorded – John 21.25
• These 7 are carefully chosen by the Holy
Spirit through John to produce faith in
Jesus – 20.30-31
• Having presented Jesus as God – John
1.1-3, 14
• He turns to these seven signs that form
backbone of John’s gospel; this is the last
General Context
• This miracle and two others are linked
with one of the 7 “I Am” statements
Jesus used to describe Himself.
– Feeding 5000 – “I am the Bread of life”
– Healing blind man – “I am the light…”
– Raising Lazarus – “I am the resurrection…”
• These also form a framework of John’s
gospel
Immediate Context
• Jesus and disciples beyond Jordan after
furor over healing blind man
• About a day’s walk from Bethany and
Jerusalem
• Mary, Martha, Lazarus live in Bethany
– a village now called al-Eizariya, place of
Lazarus, is claimed by the Palestinians as the
site of Bethany, and they even have a tomb
marked as the place of this resurrection
scene – all of which may or may not be true
Immediate Context
• Why the Lord chose to stay two days
after hearing of Lazarus’ illness…
– Purpose of Lazarus’ illness and death
– Higher purpose was served by Jesus’
seeming lack of concern
– Great lesson for us all when troubles come
Immediate Context
• The Lord’s description of death – sleep
– For the saint of God it is a restful time
– Should we depart this life in the Lord, we
will be “asleep in Jesus” – 1 Thess. 4.14
– Not so for those who are not found in Him
– “…being in torments in Hades, the rich
man lifted up his eyes…” (Luke 16.23)
Immediate Context
• The conversation with Martha about
resurrection –
– Martha knew of a coming resurrection on
“the last day”
– Jesus IS the Resurrection and the Life
– Read again John 11.23-27
Immediate Context
• The reaction of the Lord when Mary
comes to Him
– Groaned in Himself
– Troubled in spirit
– Wept
The Miracle
• Not a new thing for the Lord…
– Had already raised Jairus’ daughter – Mk
5; Lk 8 (only parents and disciples allowed
to see)
– Only son of a widow at Nain – Luke 7
(disciples, crowd with Him and with
widow)
– None had reached 4 days in the tomb!
The Miracle
• Very public
– Prayed aloud
– Loud voice
– Defiance of death
– “I have overcome the world!”
• “abolished death and brought life and
immorality to light” 2 Tim. 1.10
• “the last enemy…destroyed…” 1 Cor. 15.26
The Meaning
• Jesus will one day shout from heaven
and all will come forth from the graves.
– John 5.24-19
The Meaning
(John 5:24-29 NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life,
and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death
into life.
{25} "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is,
when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those
who hear will live.
{26} "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the
Son to have life in Himself,
{27} "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also,
because He is the Son of Man.
{28} "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who
are in the graves will hear His voice
{29} "and come forth; those who have done good, to the
resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the
resurrection of condemnation.
The Demand
• This is evidence that demands a
verdict
– Many believed – John 11.45
– Others went and told His enemies
• Who wanted to kill Him
• And Lazarus because He was walking proof
The Question
• What is your verdict?
• Those who reject it reject Him Who is
the Resurrection and the Life
• Those who believe and obey have a
living hope…
The Victory
(1 Cor 15:51-55 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed;
{52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the
dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. {54} So when this corruptible has put on
incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." {55} "O
Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your
victory?"