Chapter 11 reaches a high point in Christ's ministry. After this, the people are completely divided: they're either for Him or against Him. If they're against Him, they're going to plot to kill Him. He raises Lazarus here, who has been dead for 4 days. He has a special love for Lazarus, and He beats the ultimate punishment for sin – death – by raising Lazarus. Our English translation is so weak about how Jesus really felt about Lazarus. They were very close.
1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. There are 7 miracles that Jesus does in the book of John. He's come to these people who are good friends of His, and sees Lazarus is sick.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. Jesus' dear friend Lazarus is sick. They sent a message to Jesus that Lazarus is sick, and He was about 2 days' journey away at that time.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Jesus says this will be the ultimate miracle for the glory of God. This particular miracle will show how wonderful and powerful God really is.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Jesus didn't come immediately.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. This is where Jesus escaped the people who were going to stone.... |
