Explore the Bible: February 26

I Am the Resurrection • John 11:32-46

By Rick Henson

Lazarus was dead, and Jesus told His disciples that He was glad that Lazarus had died. The disciples were accustomed to Jesus being different from everyone else, but I’m sure they were floored by His telling them that.

The Book of John 11:15 reads, “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him” (KJV). Jesus knew that God would be glorified through Himself through this death.An unknown author wrote:

My Life is but a weaving between my Lord and me;

I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, And I, in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper, And I the underside.

Not til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver’s skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned.

Only seeing the underside of God’s plan, His disciples questioned His decision to go to Bethany, which was a short distance from Jerusalem, for they knew the religious leaders sought to kill Jesus. When they arrived, many recognized Jesus and announced His coming to Lazarus’ sisters while He and the disciples were still on the outskirts of town.

First, Martha greeted Jesus with an expression of faith. “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee” (John 11:21-22 KJV).

Later, her sister Mary said almost the same words to Jesus in the Book of John 11:32. Both expressed a generalized faith but not the specific faith Jesus desired. Their “one day, some day” faith failed to express the daily reality of the living Savior who is the one true God.

Jesus tried to lead Martha to a deeper faith, more than an “if” faith. Someone once said that “If” is the biggest word in the English language. Jesus wanted Martha and Mary to experience more than a someday faith and for both to believe more than that someday Lazarus would be in the resurrection.

Jesus knew Lazarus would live again. From this we learn faith that believes in eternity in heaven is not all that Jesus desires for us. God wants us to trust Him for today as well as someday.

Jesus called forth Lazarus from the grave, to the amazement of all there but himself. We picture a man staggering out of a cave, but it more likely was that he hopped out. He had been wrapped in grave clothes, as was the custom of the day.

He could not freely walk nor could he see, for a burial napkin would be over his face. Lazarus was still dressed for death, though suddenly he was alive again.

The Book of John 11:44 reads, “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” (KJV).

Jesus demanded that those nearby free Lazarus from the stinking death costume that he no longer needed. Jesus wants the church to do the same for new Believers who still carry the stench of the world on them when they are newly saved.

We are to teach them how to walk with Jesus as newly born from the grave. What a great discipleship goal: unbind them from sin and let them be free in Jesus. May we trust Him for today as well as someday and teach new believers the same. 

Henson is minister of outreach and evangelism at Bethel Church, Brandon.