Today we look at the final miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John. John the Apostle wrote about seven miracles; the final one is truly the most important and symbolic of the life to come. Remember, John chose to write about seven miracles, but John also wrote this at the end of the Gospel, John 11:24, “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”
In other words, John chose these seven miracles out of many to show that Jesus had authority and power, from the Father, over all of the earth. Show More
- Changing water into wine at Cana in John 2:1–11, Jesus has authority over science, changing water into wine.
- Healing the royal official’s son in Capernaum in John 4:46–54, Jesus has authority over sickness.
- Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1–15, Jesus has authority over paralysis in the body.
- Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5–14, Jesus has authority provision, feeding 5000.
- Jesus walking on water in John 6:16–24, Jesus has authority over the physical order of nature.
- Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1–7, Jesus has authority over blindness, both physical and spiritual.
- The raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1–45, Jesus has authority over life and death.
The Death of Lazarus, John 11:1-16
This chapter opens with Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, sending word that Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, was sick. The word love, in this case, is from the Greek Philio, which describes a dearly loved friend. Philio love is different from God’s love for us, which is Agape in Greek, which is unconditional love that does not depend on performance or worthiness. Agape love is unearned and undeserved; it is a gift of Grace! However, in this case, Jesus is getting word that his friend Lazarus is sick.
Upon hearing about Lazarus, Jesus says in John 11:4, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus always saw life as an opportunity to glorify the Father. At this point, Jesus decides to stay an additional two days. I’ve read about a Jewish tradition that the spirit of a person does not leave the body until after three days. Perhaps Jesus delayed His journey to make sure that there were no doubts that Lazarus was truly dead.
Walking in the light.
Jesus then announces to the disciples His intention of going to Lazarus in Bethany. The disciples remind Him that the religious leaders seek to “stone Him to death.” Jesus speaks to them this puzzling statement in verses 9-10, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” This statement is so important for us to understand.
Walking in the light means walking in close communication with God the Father. John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” To be a true follower of Jesus means that we are in communication with the Lord, this is the relationship that God desires for His children. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Without communication there can be no relationship. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit living in the Believer.
Walking in the darkness means walking in our own strength or emotions. So, what Jesus said is that although there are people who wish to kill Me, I will only do what the Father tells me to do. Neither the threats of the Pharisees nor the love I have for Lazarus and his sisters will move me. I can only do what the Father shows me to do. Look at what Jesus says in John 5:19, “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”
This is powerful instruction for us. Through the Holy Spirit, we are led by the Father; only what He says will He perform. Listen to what the Lord says in Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Only What God says will God perform, not what we want unless what we want lines up with His Word.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life, John 11:17-27
Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days when Jesus encounters Martha, Lazarus’ sister. Martha says to Jesus in verse 21, “… “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise
When Martha heard Jesus say, “your brother will rise again, she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Martha was thinking about the final resurrection at the end of time however, Jesus corrects her and says “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Here we have one of Jesus’ most powerful “I AM” statements, “I am the resurrection and the life.” If one believes that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He died for our sins, and is totally forgiven, he will not die. “Never die” in this sense means that we will never be separated from God! Yes, we will all experience physical death, but for a Believer, death will be a passing from an earthly life to a heavenly one.
I remember an expression, “If you are born once, you die twice; if you are born twice, you die once!” This means if you are only born physically, you will die twice. Once a physical death and then an eternal death. The Bible states in
However, if you are born twice, a physical birth and a spiritual birth (born-again), you only die once, a physical death, and then go to be with Jesus forever.
Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy, John 11:28-37
Jesus then goes to the tomb of Lazarus, where He meets Mary, the other sister of Lazarus. “32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” here we get a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus, He wept over the grief and sadness of His dear friends. Sometimes we forget that Jesus experienced all the trials, temptations, and emotions that human beings experience. It is in this humanity of Jesus that we have hope. We can never say that God does not understand what we are going through because Jesus went through it all for us.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
- Hebrews 2:18, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Some of the mourners who were present had a thought which is probably familiar to all of us; couldn’t God do something before now? “37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” this would be a natural thought to have, but this kind of thought overlooks the purpose of God; that Jesus be glorified, and thus the Father glorified in Him. We all know Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” In this verse, there are two conditions; one is to love God, and the evidence of this kind of love is obedience to the teachings of the Bible. The second condition is that we are called to His purpose. As Jesus demonstrated, time and time again, He only did what the Father showed Him to do. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and we must learn how to be led or directed by the Holy Spirit of God to bring glory to Him. It isn’t always about us and what we want or think should happen. It is about Him, our Lord and Savior.
Lazarus Raised from the Dead, John 11:38-44
Finally, Jesus stands before the tomb, a tomb like the one He would be placed in after His crucifixion. The tomb was a cave with a large boulder or stone rolled in front of it to seal it. “39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone. “Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”Martha and Mary still did not understand what Jesus meant when He said, “I Am the resurrection and the life!” They did not comprehend that Jesus had all authority and power over the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm. “40 Jesus said to Martha, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
“41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Jesus made this statement to give evidence that God the Father hears the obedient Son to all those then and now.
After saying those things, Jesus, 43… cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” What a sight that must have been, to see one who was dead for four days rise up still in graveclothes, frightening perhaps for a moment, and then joy when they removed the graveclothes and saw Lazarus standing in perfect health.
Lazarus was raised from physical death toward physical life, and although Lazarus would die again, as is the fate of all mankind, he became the focus of God’s glory. His resurrection demonstrated that even death is swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ. There is no miracle, too small or too great, that the Lord can’t perform. What God did then, God can do today, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!