John 11: 1 – 45
This is a long passage which cannot easily be broken up, but discretion needs to taken when picking verses to preach from. After our read through we first thought about the question of whether Lazarus is dead or not! Some Christians believe that Lazarus does not die but is merely in a coma; while others believe that he did die and Jesus brings him back to life. We thought that Lazarus has to die so that Jesus can show the power of God. We discussed our own beliefs and how we would talk about this to our congregations. Some thought they would attack the issue head on while others thought they would preach only what they believed and not tackle this issue.
We had discussed part of this passage in an earlier meeting, but starting from the beginning of the chapter gave us a different perspective and our thoughts and discussions took a different tack this time. We were struck by the chronology of events here. In verse 2 Mary is described as the Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet, although this event does not happen until chapter 12! We felt that the gospel was written this way for people who already knew the story, and to explain which Mary was being talked about.
As we talked we were aware that this passage connects to the last passage we read from chapter 9 in many ways. There the man is blind to reveal God’s glory; here Lazarus is ill to reveal God’s glory. Jesus once again talks about working while there is daylight. This event is the last and greatest of the signs pointing to who Jesus is. John’s signs get more important from the first “water into wine “ to this the last “raising the dead”.
Apparently Jews believe that the soul stays by the body for three days after death so by the fourth day all hope should have gone to bring Lazarus back! This belief about the soul and death is common to Moslems as well although the time allotted in this case is 40 days.
The name Lazarus is the same as Eliazar which means God helps. Is this significant?
Those who know the earlier Martha/Mary story will notice how here their roles are swapped. The sisters’ words at Verses 21 and 32 are similar, but their reactions are different. At verse 27 Martha reveals a belief that is very similar to that of Peter’s statement of belief at Caesarea Philippi; while Mary makes no such statement. Peter’s expression of belief is often mentioned and talked about but how often is this statement from Martha talked about in the same way? We noticed that, shortly after calling Jesus “Messiah”, Martha goes home and calls Mary to greet the teacher! We thought that she reverts to this title so that Mary will know what she is talking about as Mary has yet to recognise Jesus as Messiah.
We talked about why John uses Martha in this way? Is it because John’s gospel is not so traditionally Jewish as say Matthew’s? However the Jerusalem Bible breaks John’s gospel into sections around the Jewish festivals which makes it appear very Jewish.
There are three strands of information in this passage and they all pivot around verse 25 (Jesus last “I am” saying);
1. The basic series of events
2. Discussions with people
3. The mission to fulfil, that is to raise Lazarus
All of these events contain sub-currents and issues within them.
We felt that the inclusion of verse 45 into what is a very long passage was deliberate. The whole passage could be said to be about belief, and this final verse shows how Jesus’ actions brought some of the Jews to believe in Jesus. Is John asking readers to make a choice about what they believe? This raising of Lazarus is one of the key events which induce the Pharisees and chief priests to get rid of Jesus; so it is a significant occasion.
Verse 34 is a reciprocal “come and see”. This time it is the people who ask Jesus to “come and see,” and not the other way round.
Are the Jews of verse37 the same as those of verse 45?
One of the key
verses is verse 35 where Jesus weeps. The word used for Jesus’ weeping is not
the same as that used in verse 33. There the word indicates loud wailing, but in
verse 35 the word used is restrained weeping. Jesus weeps for his friends
because they are suffering. Is Jesus sorry that he could not go sooner to
Lazarus? Does his divinity in this instance conflict with his humanity? The
tears show that Jesus lives with human pain; which reminded some present of the
words of the Covenant Service where God’s service will not always be what we
would naturally have chosen to do. We know from previous healings that Jesus
was quite capable of healing from a distance, but in this case he did not; he
delayed so that God’s glory could be shown through Lazarus. This led us to a
question that many people ask about God – “Why does God let certain things
happen?” Is it enough to answer that God like Jesus here weeps with those who
suffer? Are Jesus’ tears here similar to His tears in
In the synoptic gospels God’s glory is revealed at the transfiguration, but in John’s gospel it is revealed in layers by means of signs. John’s gospel is primarily concerned with belief and was written to aid belief that Jesus is the Son of God. This passage uses different stages of belief. Lazarus is used as a vehicle for engendering belief (verse 15). Thomas doesn’t know what he believes at this point, but he follows Jesus none-the-less even to a possible death (verse 16). Martha believes before Lazarus is raised (verse 27), while Mary does not. Some of the Jews are brought to belief through Lazarus being raised (verse 45). What brings people to belief today?
What would we preach on?
Verse 25
Why does God let certain things happen?
The lectionary passages for this Sunday all complement each other well, so we could use them all. This passage shows Jesus’ victory over death.