What is the story of Lazarus in John 11?

The story of Lazarus in John 11 is one of the most profound and theologically rich narratives in the New Testament. It vividly demonstrates Jesus' divine power over life and death, his compassion, and the foreshadowing of his own resurrection. This account, found exclusively in the Gospel of John, serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, illustrating his identity as the Son of God and the source of eternal life.

John 11 begins with the introduction of Lazarus, a man from Bethany, who is described as being ill. Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha, two women who are also central figures in the narrative. The text notes that Mary is the same woman who anointed Jesus with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, establishing a close and personal relationship between Jesus and this family (John 11:1-2).

When Lazarus falls ill, Mary and Martha send a message to Jesus, saying, "Lord, the one you love is sick" (John 11:3, NIV). This message underscores the intimacy and affection that Jesus has for Lazarus. However, upon receiving the news, Jesus responds in a seemingly unexpected manner. He says, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it" (John 11:4, NIV). Jesus' response indicates that the situation will serve a greater purpose, revealing God's glory and affirming Jesus' divine mission.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Jesus deliberately delays his journey to Bethany by two days. This delay is perplexing but purposeful. Jesus explains to his disciples that Lazarus has "fallen asleep," a euphemism for death, and that he is going to "wake him up" (John 11:11, NIV). The disciples misunderstand Jesus' statement, thinking that Lazarus is merely resting and will recover. Jesus then clarifies 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).

When Jesus finally arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. This detail is significant because, in Jewish belief, the soul was thought to linger near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, decomposition would have set in, making resuscitation impossible. Martha, upon hearing that Jesus is coming, goes out to meet him and expresses her grief and faith simultaneously: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (John 11:21-22, NIV).

Jesus responds to Martha with a profound declaration: "Your brother will rise again" (John 11:23, NIV). Martha, adhering to the common Jewish belief in the resurrection at the last day, affirms this hope. However, Jesus reveals a deeper truth about his identity and mission: "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?" (John 11:25-26, NIV). Martha's response is a powerful confession of faith: "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world" (John 11:27, NIV).

Mary then comes to Jesus, echoing Martha's earlier lament: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:32, NIV). Jesus is deeply moved by her weeping and the mourning of the Jews who accompanied her. The text describes Jesus as being "deeply moved in spirit and troubled" (John 11:33, NIV), and he asks to be taken to Lazarus' tomb. At the tomb, Jesus weeps, demonstrating his profound empathy and compassion (John 11:35, NIV). This moment, often cited as the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," reveals the depth of Jesus' human emotions and his solidarity with human suffering.

As they arrive at the tomb, Jesus instructs them to remove the stone covering the entrance. Martha, ever practical, cautions Jesus about the odor, as Lazarus has been dead for four days. Jesus reassures her, reminding her of his earlier promise: "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40, NIV). After the stone is removed, Jesus prays aloud, thanking the Father for hearing him and expressing his desire for the crowd to believe that he was sent by God (John 11:41-42, NIV).

With a loud voice, Jesus then commands, "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43, NIV). Miraculously, Lazarus emerges from the tomb, still wrapped in his grave clothes. Jesus instructs those present to "take off the grave clothes and let him go" (John 11:44, NIV). This moment is not just a restoration of physical life but a powerful sign pointing to Jesus' authority over death and his role as the giver of eternal life.

The raising of Lazarus has profound implications. Many of the Jews who witnessed this miracle believed in Jesus, recognizing him as the Messiah. However, it also intensified the opposition from the religious leaders, who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and the stability of the nation. The Sanhedrin convenes and decides that Jesus must be put to death to prevent further unrest (John 11:47-53, NIV). Thus, the raising of Lazarus sets in motion the events that will lead to Jesus' own crucifixion and resurrection.

Theologically, the story of Lazarus serves several key purposes. It underscores Jesus' identity as the resurrection and the life, offering hope and assurance of eternal life to all who believe in him. It also demonstrates Jesus' deep compassion and empathy, as he shares in the grief and suffering of those he loves. Moreover, it foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, highlighting the victory over death that he will achieve.

In Christian literature, this narrative has been extensively explored and interpreted. Augustine of Hippo, in his "Tractates on the Gospel of John," reflects on the spiritual significance of Lazarus' resurrection, viewing it as a symbol of the soul's awakening from the death of sin through faith in Christ. Similarly, contemporary theologians like N.T. Wright have emphasized the eschatological implications of the story, seeing it as a foretaste of the new creation and the ultimate restoration of all things.

In summary, the story of Lazarus in John 11 is a rich and multifaceted narrative that reveals the glory of God through Jesus Christ. It invites believers to trust in Jesus as the source of life and resurrection, offering a profound hope that transcends the boundaries of death. Through this miraculous event, the Gospel of John powerfully communicates the central message of the Christian faith: that in Jesus, we find the promise of eternal life and the assurance of God's unfailing love.