Holistic Healing from Jesus –Raising a Dead man in Bethany'
Lent Study 6
John 11:1-45
- Introduction
Before looking at “Raising Lazarus in Bethany” we can ask ourselves,” During Jesus’ earthly ministry, how many people did He raise from the dead or bring back to life?”
The passages from the Synoptic Gospels below which are related with Jesus was raising people from dead.
- Jesus raised the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17),
- Jairus' daughter: Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 ; Luke 8:40-42; 49-56.
- Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
Discussion:
What are the emphasises given by particular Gospel writers (Mathew, Mark & Luke) in this story, about Jesus & the people around Him?
- Understanding the context of the story of Lazarus from John’s Gospel. We can divide the passage from John 11:1-45 into 3 divisions (1-16; 17-37; 38-45)
John 11:1-16 and 11:17-37 are related with the accounts of this incident and how Jesus demonstrated this miraculous healing to glorify His name.
Place: Jesus stayed for further 2 more days in Bethabara ( John 1: 28; John 10: 40; ) where John the Baptist had been baptizing in the early days…. Then he encouraged his disciples to come with Him to Bethany which is near to Jerusalem where Lazarus home was.
People: He prepared His disciples (John11:1-16: He 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.” “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” ), Then He comforted Martha, and Mary (11:17-37-Your brother will rise again. I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”) and indirectly he prepared the Jews who gathered in the house to comfort Martha and Mary to understand Him who He was and to see this miraculous story to believe Him ) . (Jesus wept; some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? )
- Exploring the sign, story and surprise in this miraculous sign mentioned in John’s Gospel -Jesus raised Lazarus
Sign:
- Tomb: A cave; A stone
- Dead man: 4 days
- Looked up, Jesus cried; A loud voice, called the dead man’s name
- Dead man: his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth
- the crowd standing here
For John’s emphasis is : Jesus is the son of God and He is the word; He is the new life and He is the light
Story:
Jesus has compassion on those who lost their loved ones
- But Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha during Lazarus' sickness he deliberately delayed his visit to be with Lazarus and the family whom he loved. Why? It is due to bring God’s glory and glorify Himself as Son of God among the followers.
- Almost in all the resurrected stories, Jesus used the term “Fallen asleep or asleep” to express His mighty power to resurrect the dead, like waking them up from sleep.
- In Mathew 9: 24…He said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at Him)
- In Mark 5:39,40…He went in and said to them,” why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at Him)
- In Luke 8: 52 ….all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at Him)
- In John 11:11…He went on to tell them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going to wake him up.”
- He prepares His disciples to understand that He is light, He has come into the world for a purpose so He doesn’t need to stumble to face any challenges in His life
- He prepares Martha and Mary to see His miraculous action by having spiritual conversation with Martha and being with them in their emotions to comfort them as well. Jesus wept
- He prepares the Jews to see His glorious action by asking Lazarus sisters to show Lazarus' tomb. He prayed in front of the crowd, He cried and called Lazarus by name. They were all able to see the dead man resurrected from the tomb with all the clothes which perhaps were given by them during the time of burial.
Surprise:
- Some believed in Him but some still propagated what He has done
“Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.” John 11:45&46 - Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in Him will live, even though they die - Jesus is the light of the world
Reflections on :
- Our spiritual and physical healing is the most important and we need to be blessed with New life from Jesus
- Christ has died for all of our sins
- His grace is still available to each one of us and to whom we pray