JOHN
CHAPTER 11.
This chapter introduces us to one of the most remarkable
signs done by Jesus. It comes as a kind
of high water mark in the Gospel. For no
sign reveals more fully the unbelief of the Jews and their determination to
destroy him. Lazarus was not the only
one whom the Lord raised to life, but this sign has a central place in John's
Gospel.
Two well-known Johannine scholars Floyd Filson and also
J.N.Sanders have reached the conclusion that Lazarus is the beloved disciple
and the author of this Gospel. Their
judgment is interesting but not convincing.
However, these two scholars reflect the modern tendency to see an
eyewitness behind the Gospel, and that the material was forged in southern Judea.
11:1-16. Lazarus had
become sick and his two sisters sent to Jesus, "Lord the one whom you love
is sick." They had hoped that Jesus
would hasten to Bethany
and restore to health their brother.
However, Jesus was confident that this sickness would not end in death,
but that God would be glorified. God would
be glorified in resurrection. For God's
glory was to be manifested in a particular way.
For in this, the Son would be glorified and his glory was to be the
glory of God.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. He had a tender friendship for them. However, he stayed where he was, for two more
days. He did not immediately speed to
their help. He then makes known to his
disciples his intention to go to Judaea, but his disciples became alarmed and
warned him that only a short while ago the Jews had tried to stone him. It
therefore amazed them that he should think of going back there. Jesus informs them that he is fully aware of
the situation but, providing he walks in God's appointed time, all will be
safe. But he who walks in his own
self-will will stumble. Then he
explains why he must go. Their friend
Lazarus had fallen asleep and he was about to go to wake him up. The disciples did not understand that Jesus
spoke of Lazarus' death. They thought
Jesus meant natural sleep, and it is good for a man to sleep after he has
passed the crisis. Therefore the Lord
tells them plainly, "Lazarus is dead."
The Lord goes on to say that he was glad that he wasn't
there for their sake so that they might believe. The experience would mean for them a new
dimension of faith. His absence involved
a much greater sign to be accomplished when he returned to Judaea. Thomas speaks out courageously, no doubt he
was spokesman for all and expressed their eagerness to share his danger.
11:17-37. Jesus comforts
the sisters. Lazarus had then been in
the tomb for four days. It was the
custom to bury a person on the day of his death. Friends still came to comfort Martha and
Mary. For Bethany
was less than two miles from Jerusalem. However, none could bring such comfort to
them as Jesus brought that day. Martha is not without some measure of faith in
Jesus. She is willing to expect even
greater things of him, whatever he should ask of God. Martha is thoroughly versed in the orthodox
teaching of the Pharisees concerning the resurrection. But she knows little of the resurrection from
among the dead of those who had been believers.
This topic may have given Christians much concern when John
wrote. But the teaching of the
Scriptures was plain. The dead in Christ shall rise first and they who are
alive and left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air. (1.Thess.4:17).
This scripture in First Thessalonians must be carefully
compared with John 11:25. The Lord gives
Martha a new revelation of Himself. He
wants her to understand what He is even now.
Martha thinks of a far distant event, a promise to be fulfilled, but the
Lord would have her occupied with Himself.
"I am the resurrection and the life." The fulfilment of the promise is not purely
an eschatological event, but it has a present realization. The Lord declares "I am." This is one of the great `I am's' in John's
Gospel. Martha in response makes a clear
and full confession that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. She confesses him as the awaited Messiah.
Martha then calls her sister Mary aside, or secretly,
quietly, to inform her "The Teacher is here." Mary got up and quickly went to him. The swiftness of her response was noticed by
the Jews though they misunderstood her intention, however, they followed her
supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. But Mary went to meet Jesus and fell at his
feet and she too confesses if he had been there, then her brother would not
have died. Jesus saw her weeping and
those who had come along with her, and as he beheld them, he was deeply moved
and troubled. These words express his
deep feeling. They led the Lord to the
place of Lazarus' burial and he burst into tears. The Jews are compelled to remark on the Lord's
love for Lazarus.
11:38-44. Here human
love and sorrow are united with omnipotent power. The Lord moved towards the tomb and commands
that the enclosing stone to be taken away.
Martha exclaims that by this time there would be a bad odour. The Lord reminds her that he had told her
that, if she believed, she would see the glory of God. The glory of God was to be manifested in the
victory over death and the grave. Jesus
then in a loud voice called "Lazarus, come out!" Then he commands them to take off the grave
clothes and let him go. Jesus is seen as
the Prince of Life who commands the dead to come forth from the grave. And so demonstrates that He is Conqueror of
death and the grave.
11:45-57. The Plot to
Kill Jesus. This wonderful exhibition
of his power to give life and that of incorruption over corruption as well his
victory over the grave did not incite their trust and reverence in Him. On the other hand, they began to plot His
death. They pretended to be acting for
the welfare of the nation. It was true
that Jesus must die for the nation, but this was not because of the reason that
Caiaphas suggested. The high priest was
moved by political fear, but the death of Christ would make all the scattered
children of God to be one.
His death is the ground of unity for the people of God.
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