John 11 - The Death of Lazarus

John 11 - The Death of Lazarus

John chapter 11 is the story of Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus. 

“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”- ‭‭John‬ ‭11:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is so much in this story that just makes me wonder and ask a lot of questions. Today, I am just going to write about some of the odd things that jump out to me. Right out of the gate, listen to these words of Jesus.

“When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭11:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What?!? Jesus dear friend is dying; he responds that Lazarus won't die, God will be glorified, and God’s Son will be as well. That’s a bizarre response. It’s also really strange that Jesus stayed two extra days. I suppose if you fast forward to the end of the story, this response makes a bit more sense, but at the moment, this had to seem off...and odd. I guess that is what it would have been like hanging out with the Messiah.

Leaning more into this, we see a bit more about this decision here:

“So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭11:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This odd response from Jesus is starting to come into light a little bit. Jesus is basically saying that He let Lazarus die, so he could bring him back to life so that others may believe. This makes me think of a quote from Levi Lusko, “Sometimes God chooses to deliver us from hardships, and sometimes he delivers us through them.” I have to believe and that it is safe to assume that this continues to be a way that Jesus handles situations today. He has the ability to deliver us from hardships...but sometimes, or even often, He chooses to use the hardships and delivers us through them. 

So much strange stuff in this story...here are two more things that stood out to me. 

“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭11:32-35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Ok, I find it odd that Jesus knows the end of the story, Jesus knows He is going to raise Lazarus, that was his entire purpose of the trip...and yet he wept with Mary. Jesus met Mary in her state, in her emotion and empathized and brought compassion. This does highlight the character of God, His love for us, and grace for us. It still seems odd to me, but I am moved by the love and compassion of Jesus. 

Finally, a much deeper theological question. One that has many sides of debate and questioning. Where was Lazarus’ soul for four days? Lazarus dies, is wrapped, prepped for burial, and then put in a tomb. He was dead long enough that Martha was concerned that when they rolled the stone away from the tomb that there would be a horrible odor. Where did Lazarus go? We can read these stories and just move right past little details like these that kind of matter, or maybe they don’t. 

Did Lazarus die and go to Heaven? If so, can you imagine what a horrible shock it would be to come back to life on this earth? If he was really in paradise, in Heaven, what a shock to the system. I would think that it would have been such a shock that Lazarus would have mentioned a detail or two from Heaven. Maybe not. 

Another option is mentioned many places in the Bible, and Martha said it in this story;

“Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is so much written on this topic of Sheol and Hades, the resurrection at the last day, and much more. My mind often wanders into this place, really trying to understand the in’s and out’s of Heaven and Hell and how it all works. Honestly, when I dive in and read the Bible, I just find my self in a bit of a loop and have come to find comfort in not having a definite answer. My faith rests solidly in Jesus, but when it comes to some of these details, I am comfortable with a lot of unknowns. 

Here is the greatest news of all, Jesus saves!

“...Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”” - ‭‭John‬ ‭11:43-44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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