John 11:1-44
It is about a month before Passover and time now for Jesus to travel from Perea back to Bethany. As you hopefully recall Jesus was summoned to heal His friend Lazarus, who had suddenly fallen ill. Jesus however, delayed going in order to fully demonstrate the power of God over death, meanwhile He continued teaching. Earlier He manifested His divinity to the disciples through His transfiguration and spoke to them of His own resurrection. It was important for them to grasp His power over death if they were to carry on Gods message and withstand the evil forces that would come against them in the days and years ahead. When Jesus and the disciples arrived on the scene in Bethany a funeral was in progress. His friend Lazarus died four days earlier, his body lay in a sealed tomb, and many Jewish leaders, offering comfort, surrounded the grieving family. The timing was perfect, the stage was set, a dramatic demonstration of His power was about to unfold and yet the most tender words that are written in all of scripture (in my opinion) reveal the compassionate nature of Jesus. He wept. I can't even begin to imagine what all He was thinking and feeling. I can understand though that His heart was so moved in that moment that He was overwhelmed with deep human emotion. John also records for us that Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled, undoubtedly internally talking with the Father. Then in that moment He orders the stone sealing the tomb to be taken away. Now Jesus looks toward heaven and speaks audibly to God, not for the sake of bringing Lazarus to life which could have been done without a spoken word. It was in order that everyone there would know that He wasn't there by or for Himself but rather for them to know and believe He was sent by the Father...only God could resurrect from the dead. Lazarus, come forth was the command....and he did, still wrapped in grave clothes Jesus instructed those nearby to loose him, and let him go. How astonishing it must have been in that moment to all those witnessing Lazarus coming back to life. There was no mistaking his death, he had been dead for days and yet here...now...he stood before them, alive and well! This miracle accomplished great things for it says that many of the Jews who saw what Jesus did, believed in Him. It also accomplished something dreadfully unthinkable, which we will look at tomorrow.
