John 11:17-46
Q.1. What do we learn from the different responses of Martha and Mary to their brother’s passing? – (Jn.11:17-32)
Many people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. Their response to grief could not have been further apart – Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house (Jn.11:20). This is symptomatic of how people respond to bereavement. However, in conversation with Jesus, they revealed that they were grappling with the same question. Martha commented – Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died (Jn.11:21). However, once again, there was humble submission in Mary – … when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn.11:32). The sisters were very different indeed.
Q.2. What are we to make of the way in which Jesus responded to the sisters? What hope did He give them? – (Jn.11:21-35)
Martha, ever the pragmatist, had every confidence that Jesus could still raise her brother – Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You (Jn.11:22). When told that Lazarus would rise again, she accepted it without hesitation – … I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day (Jn.11:24). Jesus responded with complete authority – I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die (Jn.11:25-26). Martha’s testimony to Jesus was epic – Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world (Jn.11:27). She did not interpret this to mean that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus. However, realizing her sister was overcome with grief, Martha found Mary and told her that Jesus had come. Mary got up quickly and came to Jesus. On seeing Mary consumed by grief – … He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled … and Jesus wept (Jn.11:33 & 35). He totally identified with human grief and would give more than hope to the sisters by raising Lazarus. However, it was not until Jesus came to the tomb, that He explained further to His disciples (Jn.11:4) and Martha (Jn.11:25-26) what His words to them had meant (Jn.11:40).
Q.3. How do we know that Lazarus had really died? Why did Jesus raise him? What made people respond so differently to the death and resurrection of Lazarus? – (Jn.11:36-46)
The down-to-earth reaction of Martha expressed what everyone knew, when Jesus commanded – … Remove the stone (Jn11:39). Martha, ever the practical woman said – Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days (Jn.11:39). As Martha observed, the resurrection of the dead will not happen until ‘the last day’ (Jn.11:24 c.f. Jn.5:24-29). However, Jesus was no ordinary man, and this was no ordinary day – 41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me” (Jn.11:41-42). This miracle was designed to prove that Jesus was indeed the God appointed Saviour. Amazingly, some Jews still reserved their judgment, and acted against Him – 45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done (Jn.11:45-46). For many people, even miracles are not enough.