Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 3

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. But who was Lazarus? He was a beloved friend of Jesus who lived in Bethany, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha.

Click here to read Part 1.

Introduction

This will be the third blog post in which we’ve delved into John 11 and the story of Lazarus, the beloved friend whom Jesus raised from the dead.

In the first post, we learned that we can trust God even when things look bleak. He is always up to something good.

In the second post, we learned that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, that “whoever believes in [Jesus], though he die, yet shall he live.”

Trusting In God

In the first part of John 11, we learn that we can trust God even when things look bleak. He is always up to something good.

We also learn that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, that 

whoever believes in [Jesus], though he die, yet shall he live 

(v. 25 ESV).

After Martha declared, 

Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world

(v. 27 ESV)

she went to get her sister.

Today let’s read verses 28-37.

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’(ESV)

No matter how familiar I am with a specific Bible passage, it never ceases to amaze me just how much richness there is to be found in it.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead

Whether it’s a verse or even a couple of words that jump off the page, there is always more to be learned. Plus, we must be willing to slow the frantic pace of 21^st Century life and really soak in what God has to say. That is one reason I have devoted so much time to discussing the story of Lazarus.

While we have learned that Jesus is the Son of God, in this passage His humanity becomes very evident. This passage tells us 

when Jesus saw [Mary] weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

And when they showed Him Lazarus’s tomb, He wept.

Jesus Shared In His Friend’s Sorrow

These are all very natural reactions—for a human being who does not know what wondrous miracle is about to happen, but Jesus was very present in that moment. He cared for these people very deeply and He was touched by their sorrow.

He was well aware of their murmurings and what they were saying behind His back. He even knew what the not-too-distant future held, His sacrificial death on their behalf—and ours, but that didn’t stop Him from sharing this moment of intense sorrow with them.

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:15 to 

rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (ESV).

And Jesus set an incredible example as He stood outside His friend’s tomb.

What Can We Learn From Jesus And Lazarus?

Sometimes we don’t take the time to slow down enough to truly empathize with another. Sometimes we know that their sorrow is only temporary. So we convince ourselves it isn’t all that important.

And sometimes, such as it was in this case, the situation looks so bleak we accept as inevitable that the individuals involved will take a long time to heal emotionally and we simply don’t have the time to come alongside them for a prolonged period of time. After all, unlike Jesus, we don’t know what lies ahead.

But no matter what tomorrow brings, we must be willing to share the sorrow and joy of those around us as Romans 12:15 instructs. Let’s learn from the Lord’s example and reach out with His love and compassion.

Does love in action come easily to you? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.