The Gospel of John: John 11.38-48

Read and meditate on John 11.38-48.
The raising of Lazarus is a watershed moment in John’s gospel. Everything that has happened prior to this incident has prepared the way for it, and everything that follows from it is but the logical consequence of this astonishing event.

                                                            ³⁸Therefore, He
was groaning in Himself, and came unto
the tomb, which was a cave, a stone laid to
the entrance. ³⁹Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”
But Martha, she who was the dead man’s own
dear sister, said to Him. “Lord, it has been
four days; and surely there will be a stench.”
⁴⁰He said to her, “Did not I say to you
that if you would believe in Me, then you
would see the glory of the Lord?” ⁴¹So then
they took away the stone from where the man
was lying, dead. Then Jesus, with His eyes
turned upward, as if looking to the skies,
began to pray: “I thank You, Father. You
have heard Me, ⁴²as You, Father, always do.
But I have said this for the sake of all
the people standing here, that they may call
on You, and all believe that You have sent
Me.” ⁴³Now when Jesus all these things had said,
He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come
forth!” ⁴⁴And the man who died, and had for some
four days been buried, came forth, bound both hand
and feet with grave clothes, and a linen band
around his face. And Jesus said, “Unloose
him; let him go.” ⁴⁵And many of the Jews
who came to comfort Mary, and had seen
the many things that Jesus did, believed
in Him. ⁴⁶But some went to the Pharisees
and told them. ⁴⁷Then the Pharisees and priests
convened a council, saying, “What then shall
we do? This Man works many signs, ⁴⁸and all
the people will believe in Him if we
leave Him alone like this. Then you will see,
the Romans will bring shame upon our face,
and take from us our nation and our place.”

- John 11.38-48

Reflect
1. Review the works Jesus has done prior to the raising of Lazarus (chapters 2, 4, 5, 6, and 9). By taking all these works together, can you see that Jesus would have the power to raise a man from the dead? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, You created, You healed from afar and by a touch, You fed the thousands, You raised a dead man. For me, You can certainly…

2.  We can say the same about Jesus’ claims and teaching. Review His primary teaching moments to this point (chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10). What did Jesus teach that suggests He should have been able to raise Lazarus from the dead? Your Word is filled with precious and very great promises, Lord, which all find their fulfillment in You. Today, help me to lay hold on those promises, so that…

3.  The raising of Lazarus also heightens John’s focus on the different ways people responded to Jesus. Explain. Not everyone will believe my witness to You, Lord, but…

4.  John had previously described Jesus as the Word of God, Who has power to create everything that exists, and to bring light and life to the world (Jn. 1.1-12). How does this event confirm that Jesus of Nazareth is that Word? Speak, Lord, and take away my fears, and strengthen my soul, and I…

5.  Jesus had said this situation would bring glory to God, glorify the Son of God, and strengthen the faith of His disciples. Was He right? Explain. How should the raising of Lazarus affect us, who are followers of Jesus today? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“He who trusts in Jesus comes forth wearing bonds worthy of death from his former sins and still bound around his face, so that he can neither see nor walk nor do anything because of the bonds of death until Jesus commands those who are able to loose him and let him go.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

We are all Lazarus. We all need to be loosed from our death garments and clothed with Jesus by His Word (Eph. 4.17-24). Give thanks to God the Father, that He has given us a Savior Who can speak new life into our soul day by day.

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORDi s good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.