John 11:1-16
Q.1. Did Jesus love Martha, Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany? Why then did Jesus delay His visit? What did Jesus reveal about sickness? – (Jn.11:1-6)
When serious health issues and tragedy strike believers, we may be tempted to ask if the Lord cares (Jn.9:3-5). John recorded that Jesus truly loved this family – Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (Jn.11:5 c.f. Lk.10:38-42). Scholars have wondered at Christ’s response to Martha in Lk.10:40-41. Here she was named, and Mary was only mentioned as Martha’s sister. By this, John confirmed that the relationship between Jesus and Mary was unquestionably pure. Notwithstanding, Mary’s devotion was recorded by John – It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick (Jn.11:2). Jesus purposely delayed a visit to Bethany because He knew the miracle He needed to perform. This miracle would confirm His Messiahship. Jesus explained – … “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” (Jn.11:4). All sickness and death are a result of the Fall, yet have the potential to bring glory to God, regardless of the outcome. The Lord Jesus does not usually intervene miraculously, as He did with Lazarus. If such intervention were normal, the raising of Lazarus would have proved nothing about the origin and Sonship of Jesus.
Q.2. Why were Jesus’ disciples reluctant to travel to Judea? How did He view His life’s journey and future? – (Jn.11:6-10)
Jesus and His disciples had recently retreated to beyond Jordan, in order to prevent His arrest and stoning. Jesus responded – 9 … Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him (Jn.11:9-10). By this Jesus indicated that He was walking entirely in the light of the Father’s will, and that there was absolute safety from stumbling, as long as we walk in the light. He totally trusted in His Father’s sovereign plan, which for Jesus included dying on the Cross for the sins of the world … and which for sinners may include ageing, sickness, and death for all. He could see beyond the immediate circumstances to future glory (c.f. Heb.12:1-3).
Q.3. Why was Jesus glad that He had been absent when Lazarus died? What do you think about the response of Thomas to the news? – (Jn.11:11-16)
Jesus informed His disciples that He was now ready to journey to Bethany, in order to waken Lazarus from sleep. This puzzled the disciples, until Jesus spelled it out plainly – 14 … Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him (Jn.11:14-15). Had Jesus simply healed Lazarus before he died, the people may have concluded that he would have recovered anyway (as the disciples suggested). However, this notable miracle of resurrection from the dead would prove Christ’s power over man’s great enemy – death (Jn.12:9-11 c.f. Heb.2:14-15). We learn many lessons from Thomas (Jn.20:24-29). His response to the news that Jesus was going to Bethany was interesting – Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, so that we may die with Him’ (Jn.11:16). It was a courageous response that underscored the real danger they faced back in Judea. However, it also revealed that the news that Lazarus had died had not sunk in. There is a range of ways that people respond to bereavement. These can compound the grieving process.