Scriptural text: John 11:20-27, 38-44
Lesson in Perspective:
This lesson is about a person named Lazarus who seemingly had reached the ultimate point of no return: death. Death is the last stop for all our hopes and dreams in this world, the final and unavoidable end to every plan and purpose. Death is sure to come to all of us. We all have an appointment with death.
Faith at a Funeral (John 11:17-27).
Lazarus had already been in the grave for four days because Jesus knew the Jewish superstition of that day that said a soul stayed near the grave for three days, hoping to return to the body. Therefore, it was accepted that after four days there was absolutely no hope of resuscitation.
Many of the Jews had joined the women around Mary and Martha:
This was a large crowd, still present four days after Lazarus was buried. It was considered an important obligation to join with those who mourned the death of a close relative.
Frustration (vv. 20-22).
Then Martha, as soon as she had heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house.“
“It is likely by this circumstance the evangelist intended to convey the idea of her sorrow and distress; because anciently afflicted persons were accustomed to put themselves in this posture, as expressive of their distress; their grief having rendered them as it were immovable.” (Tenney)
Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died: Martha honestly stated her disappointment in Jesus’ late arrival. She believed that Jesus was able to heal her brother while he was sick and yet alive. It’s possible that she didn’t even consider that Jesus was still able to raise Lazarus from the dead now.
But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Martha was not confident that Jesus would raise her brother. Instead, she said that she would still trust Jesus despite this disappointment. This was a remarkable demonstration of faith, one that should be taken as an example.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life (v. 25a).
Earlier Jesus had affirmed himself to be the one who raises the dead (John 5:25). But Jesus not only had the ability to perform resurrection; He is the resurrection.
Belief (v. 27).
Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is come unto the world: Martha answered correctly. Jesus was indeed and is indeed the Messiah (the Christ). Jesus was and is God in human form among us (the Son of God).
Freed from the Grave (John 11:38-44).
He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth! Jesus spoke to a dead body as if Lazarus were alive because He is God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17).
And He who had died came out: Jesus fought death at Lazarus’ tomb, and plundered the grave. Jesus told death that He would conquer it completely. Lazarus was not resurrected, but resuscitated. He arose bound in grave-clothes, for he would need them again; Jesus left His grave-clothes behind in His tomb, never again having need of them.
References: Enduring Word Bible Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary