The Death of Lazarus

20 Days Considering Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

​The Death of Lazarus
Read John 11:1-17John 11:1-17 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 7 Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8 "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." 12 His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.  
 
John 11:4 “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus; this has happened in order to bring glory to God, and it will be the means by which the Son of God will receive glory.”

AS we perhaps more purposefully consider Jesus’ death and resurrection this time of year, we begin with a resurrection story second only to that of Jesus’ own resurrection. Consider this: Jesus words, “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus” is a topic sentence, a purpose statement of the entire Bible! When we begin to read this story of Lazarus, knowing the final result, we have hope and joy in our heart. We are able to withstand Jesus’ waiting to go to his friend’s aid because we have a full understanding of the life power he is about to unveil to mankind.
    God’s people need that hope. Hope is what drives God’s message forward from Genesis.
    The Bible’s beginning can cause us to despair. The first two chapters are wonderful! They tell of God’s glorious creation. We see “and it was good” expressing God’s benediction to each day’s creation. But we know what happens next, don’t we? Does grief lurk in your soul as you await the “not good” to intrude into Eden? “Good” lasts only until Genesis 3. Disobedience, sin – death – enters into perfection. The rest of the Bible is a story of struggle against our Creator. But then after much despair and darkness Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, reveals it is the time to restore God’s “good” benediction to his creation.
    To believe in Jesus’ resurrection means you embrace the “resurrected” life. In God’s grace you are no longer controlled by the disobedient, sinful nature. Your life begins to form and grow into a complete trust in Jesus’ good power. His resurrection transfers to your soul to empower you to a life in the Spirit’s power: 2 Timothy 1:9 This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.  
    In Jesus’ resurrection, life has come to light. We can get up in the morning to confidently confront the “not-good” of each day. We can be glad for challenges. We can squarely face adversity and have the strength of life in Christ to overcome it.
    A resurrected life opens the doors wide, so you can step into each moment with confidence, love, hope and promise.
    Do you perhaps fear you’re asleep in the grave of hopelessness, discouragement or disappointment? Turn to Jesus. Focus on his life-giving power. Read the gospels. Receive the Spirit’s good grace to know Christ has resurrected you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus’ resurrection is for you to be alive in him.