Lazarus: The Resurrection And The Life

In the passage surrounding the raising of Lazarus, we can learn a lot of different things. But undergirding it all is the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, that He is God, and this story proves it.

John sought to prove that Jesus was who He said He was by writing this gospel. Throughout this book, he shows much evidence that proves Jesus is the God-Man.

As we wrap up this series on Lazarus, I want to hone in on the central element to this story: Jesus as Messiah, and briefly what that means for us.

Why do I say that the primary concern of this story is to prove that Jesus is more than a mere man?

"But when Jesus heard this, He said, '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.'" - John 11:4

In verse 42, Jesus in His prayer to the Father notes that He is praying for the benefit of those around Him, that they would believe that the Father sent Him.

It's very clear that for all the good and blessing that raising Lazarus from the dead brought, the main purpose of it was to help solidify Jesus' claims and mission.

In John's gospel, he shares several different aspects of Jesus, and one of the most powerful are the "I am" statements.

Hearkening back to Exodus when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, the name I Am would certainly remind the Jews of said encounter.

One of Jesus' clearest claims to deity is found in John 8:58, and the response of the Jews was unmistakable. The knew precisely what He claimed.

In John 11, we come upon another "I am" statement in verse 25. Martha had come to know Jesus, and she understood that Jesus was no mere man. She knew He had a special relationship with God the Father, and she knew that though her brother had died, one day God would raise him up again. In response, Jesus gives us this wonderful claim:

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" - John 11:25-26, italics added for emphasis.

Think about it, what a bold claim, isn't it? Can a mere man, even a great prophet, make such a statement and be considered sane or honest? Of course not.

However, while we ought to camp out on that very idea, I want us to look at what He is saying here. It's a promise of salvation. Those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, who have bowed the knee to this Savior, will never die.

Oh they may experience death in this world, just as Lazarus would again, but not the eternal separation from God that the lost are bound for; the destination all of us were bound for, apart from the saving grace of God.

These events would ultimately lead to Jesus' crucifixion. In response to this amazing set of circumstances, the Jewish leaders, instead of coming to Christ, hated Him all the more (vss. 47-53). They sought to kill Him; they wanted the Son of God to die.

But you can't kill the one who is the resurrection and the life, and He proved that three days after the cross. He was proved to be who He said He was (Romans 1:4).

And this Man, this Messiah who came to seek and save, has set before us this day the offer of salvation. If we repent of our sins, turn to the perfect Son of God alone for salvation, then we will never die.

Do you believe this?