Jesus loves him and his sisters (Mary and Martha). Mary is the woman who anointed Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. She is the one whose story is told in every place that the Gospel is preached. These three siblings are dear to Jesus. [1]
Jesus waits two days. He knows that Lazarus is already dead. He tells His disciples, “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe.” [2]
I am glad that Jesus upholds our faith in Him. Our faith in Him is our key to heaven. Jesus once told Peter, “Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” [3]
Afterwards, Jesus arrives in Bethany where Martha says to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother had not died…. But I know that even now, whatsoever You ask of God, God will give it to You.”
Jesus assures her that her brother shall rise again.
She replies, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus says to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Martha professes, “Yes, Lord: I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” [4]
Mary arrives and says to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother had not died.”
Jesus sees her and her friends weeping. He groans. He is troubled. He weeps. The people see His reaction and remark, “Behold how He loved him!” [5]
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. [6]
Praise the Lord! No matter how dead a person or circumstance appears to be… Jesus is the resurrection. He overpowers and defeats death. He is the resurrection and the life.
Back in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Pharisees call a council to solve a problem. Jesus! He is messing up their narrative. He is exposing their lies. They conclude… He must die. [7]
How crazy is that? They think they can eliminate the One who resurrects dead people. As crazy as that is, people in powerful places still think they can eliminate Jesus. Jesus told Peter...
“I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [8]
No matter what anyone says or does, Jesus and His Church shall prevail. Hallelujah! Amen!
[1] John 11:1-3, Matthew 26:13
[2] John 11:6-8, 14-15
[3] Luke 22:31-32
[4] John 11:21-27
[5] John 11:32-36
[6] John 11:39-44
[7] John 11:47-57
[8] Matthew 16:18
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