The Lord Jesus holds the keys of life and death. John 11:1-44 Not often do we find a home, other than our own, where we feel completely "at home." Although those who show kindness and grace in their hospitality often say, "Make yourself at home," there are boundaries we do not cross to avoid invading privacy. It seems that the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha was especially meaningful to Jesus when He was in Judea. Notably, Bethany was known as "the town of Mary." She must have been recognized for her piety, grace, and meekness, along with other visible qualities. Mary’s preferred place appeared to be at His feet, while Lazarus would sit beside Him. It seems that Mary, perhaps more than others, embraced the truth of His words by sitting and listening to Christ.
Martha was a welcoming woman who appeared very practical in her living. Each of us has a reputation of one kind or another. Martha was eager to serve her Lord by providing His food and ensuring He had what she thought He Needed, while being ready to help wherever she could. She worked for Christ and was sincerely concerned as a faithful friend, but she overlooked what was truly important. Each of us is unique, and God can use those differences in fellowship with each other to bring blessings to many and comfort to the Lord.
When Lazarus was sick, it would have been natural for them to call for their Lord to come quickly. They longed for Christ to heal Lazarus, and their disappointment was understandably great when Lazarus died before the Lord arrived at their home. An obscure village can gain significance when some of God's people live there. Some of the world’s great cities are far less important than a small town or even a rural area where biblical testimony has been established.
It's common for onlookers to see people gathering in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and asking, "What is the attraction in that little place?" The key point is the gathering to the Person in the middle. Other gatherings may draw thousands because of their size, the music, or the speaker's oratorical skills. When our only attraction is the Lord Jesus Christ, it creates a unique place. God Himself is present among His people.
At Bethany, in that house, there were acts of thanks to the Lord Jesus; Mary was there, the one who had anointed His feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair. That was not a show of affectation but of true love for her Lord. Martha had busily prepared food for the Savior as part of her service of hospitality, and there was fellowship and interest in God's things when they sat together and shared meals. The Lord Jesus had a special interest in those who lived in that house. He loved and valued them, and they loved and valued Him. It wasn’t just comfort or small talk they shared; their friendship had deeper meaning. Love was expressed and enjoyed by everyone when they sat together in that house. They were loved by Christ, and He was loved by them.
The trait of hospitality and friendship offers a special comfort to the Lord's people as we travel through life. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." This spirit of hospitality often reaches beyond our friends and family to include those who cannot return the favor, holding a special place in the hearts of anyone who visits, whether they are believers or unbelievers. Even in blessed places and homes like the one in Bethany, times of grief and sorrow will inevitably come. Sometimes, these are expected, while other times, they happen unexpectedly.
How can we understand things that are impossible to describe? Do we truly need to know the “whys” that emerge within us? What can make the grip of unbelief disappear? How can “the sin which doth so easily beset us” give up its persistent hold on my mind? What observation of my eyes and intellect can unite these two into life-changing faith? How can glory, from which seraphim hide, be experienced by weak, mortal humans? How can excellence in perfect purity be allowed in the moral darkness of men?
When we don't fully understand the reason for an unexpected event, we wonder why God allowed it to happen. In such moments, our faith in Christ becomes even more vital for us to find peace. Unexpected events, like an unknown illness, can scare us. We never imagined it would happen to us. Then, when we turn to the Lord our God for answers and immediate help, and He doesn't provide it right away, those delays can truly worry us. "The trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth..." The words sound comforting, but the opposition that may come with the trial can intimidate us. Moreover, the darkness that descends on our spirits can overwhelm us if we don’t remember to cast our burdens upon the Lord and trust Him to support us. When death comes, we feel deep sorrow, especially if it is sudden or if a young person is taken.
There are many lessons we can learn when the contrast between life and death is sharply before us. God's delays, even if we don't realize it at the time, are opportunities from Him. A quick answer, like we expect, would be nothing more than a quick fix, and the lessons would need to be learned again. God's timing of events is perfectly in harmony with His will. Some results come from allowing an event to run its full course, and later they show themselves as perfectly suited to the solution needed. God's will and guidance work together to bring about what He intends. When the alternatives to a problem are down to one, no more questions are left. However, sometimes there is more than one alternative.
Then we must take time to observe and truly understand which option better aligns with God's will and offers the greatest benefit to everyone involved. God's power is unlimited, but the waiting periods can be just as important as the solutions when it comes to honoring God. The events surrounding Lazarus's death have much to teach us, especially those of us who tend to be pushy or impatient. We need to learn to wait for God to act according to His sovereign will.
Four days after Lazarus's death, Jesus arrived in Bethany despite the disciples' fears that the Jews wanted to kill Him. Martha met Jesus, expressing her grief over her brother's passing in an understandably reproachful way. She was a woman of faith, but her understanding was limited to what she had seen happen before. Jesus used that moment to teach her the truth of who He is and why it is so important to believe in Him. Mary used the same words, but not in the same way.
Being aware of Jesus's presence comforts us, even when we struggle to understand delays caused by unexplained circumstances. During our trials, His presence provides a moment for Him to guide us, despite our weak faith and uncertainty about what comes next. His presence encourages us to believe that what is impossible for humans is possible for God. In life's most challenging moments, Jesus's presence opens our eyes to the reality of God's kingdom, which surrounds us and to which we belong.
Lazarus was dead. What caused his death? The Lord planned to bring Lazarus back to life so that people could witness the glory of God. Sometimes, darkness must be allowed to ensure that people see the light. The night of grief and loss is necessary for eyes to perceive clearly. Tears can cleanse worldly-focused eyes so much that we learn to turn away from sin. The Son of God stood and wept, crying out with love and sorrow intertwined in a loud voice. Life from its Source flowed into Lazarus’ mortal body, and many others “believed!”
During this difficult time, Martha testified to her personal faith in Christ. At this challenging moment, Jesus issued a sixth verbal testimony to His deity when He said, "I AM the resurrection and the life..." He then challenged her faith with a direct question, and her response to Him was a beautiful expression of genuine faith in Him.
The Lord's compassion for the living is what led Him to weep. He knew what He was about to do, and He was aware that each of those individuals would face either heaven or hell. People often misunderstand and misjudge God's ways and words because of the limits of their own experiences. The Lord's emotions and sympathy were real. His care and understanding of the human experience testify to His humanity. His power over death, man's final enemy, affirms His divinity. In an act showing His concern for humanity, He involved others in this greatest of His miracles. They were able to move the stone. They did what He knew they could do.
Even at the graveside, Jesus used that event as a teaching moment so that people would believe in Him. His loud voice in prayer was meant for everyone present to understand who He was and who His Father was. By allowing all to hear the words of His prayer, they recognized that this act of power was for their benefit. There was no mistaking His authority when He spoke directly to Lazarus's soul and commanded his spirit to return to his body.
When He arrived and saw where Lazarus lay in the grave, with a stone rolled away, He wept tears of love, concern, and compassion. Then His power became evident, and words of spiritual light through Christ were spoken clearly. Those words, “Take away the stone,” would have been totally unexpected and difficult to obey. It was then that they saw and learned that life in Christ is a reality, even though it is beyond human understanding. God can give life; He alone is its Source, so when the Lord called out loudly and clearly for Lazarus to “come forth” and for his bonds to be loosed, the man was given life then and there.
He was given a new life to live again for the Lord, just as we have in our time. A life lived for the Lord brings freedom to us. Liberty through Christ transforms our lives to be lived for God’s glory. Although He is omniscient and knows everything, it comforts me to know that He, who is Lord of both heaven and earth, is still willing to bear my griefs and sorrows. His omnipotent power, which creates all that exists with His word and can sustain all things, is directed toward humanity, who are part of His plan and allow us to be involved in His work.
Our limitations in serving God prevent us from boasting, but He grants us the privilege of participating as we are able. The Lord does what no man can do—He gives life. That power is His alone. Is it true, as He said, “Though he were dead; yet shall he live?” Is life not over at death? How can I know? What assurance can exist that gives meaning to the passing years? I AM has spoken; His words are truth and life. On a day beyond the last goodbye, He who is Resurrection and Life will work His power, and believing saints will be joined to their long-dead bodies—and they will live forever!
Two entities, life and death, meet at death’s dark door, quickly closed by sin’s demanding claim. As they converse openly, the One who holds the keys to both asserts His power, and a sleeping body stirs at His spoken name. Watchers’ eyes and mouths open wide in silent wonder as body and soul reunite. Every honest person there knows deep inside that God is present in the flesh—“O wondrous sight!”—and I believe!
Whenever I wonder if He cares about what is happening to me, I find comfort in knowing that this omnipresent Lord is present, and faith in Him is the key to assurance. The Son of God, demonstrating His authority before everyone, showed all who gathered there His supreme power. The “last enemy” yielded to Jesus’ moral glory, and people saw “the glory of God!” The Lord did not frequently raise dead people to life because He knew they would have to experience death again. In this case, it was for the glory of God, so people would recognize Him as the God with power over death. Even after Lazarus came out of the tomb, the Lord had others participate when they removed the grave clothes from him so he could walk. Everyone who watched this scene could testify to the reality of the miracle and the sign of His deity.
The glory of God, for many, is limited to His visible creation, but a greater glory is revealed through an evident resurrection. I have seen evidence of new life given to those who finally pay attention to what God says. The light of understanding shines in a person's eyes, and the changes in life show that they have been raised from the dead. Faith must be built up; it involves much more than just spoken words. Those who observe and see new life realize that this is of the Lord. A new creation in Christ Jesus is certainly hard to hide—the fullness of new life is not just outward; it truly comes from within.
Despite Lazarus's resurrection from the dead, some refused to believe in Jesus. They were so hardened against His holiness, power, and Person that they orchestrated and participated in plotting His death. They would rather reject the Savior and what was evident than admit they were wrong. Pride leads to incredible sin. Still, many there did believe in Him.