Tag: John 11

The Resurrection and The Life

John 11

Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (New York)

Jesus was a master teacher but also a compassionate friend, deeply moved by the struggles and sorrows of those he loved. In John 11, we encounter one of the most powerful stories in the Gospels where we see Jesus’ emotion. This record invites us to consider how Jesus meets us in our grief, reveals the glory of God, and calls us to trust in God’s power—even when all hope seems lost.

The narrative opens with a startling circumstance—Lazarus, the beloved brother of Mary and Martha, is gravely ill. And so, the sisters send word to Jesus, confident in his love and his ability to heal. Yet, in a surprising twist, Jesus delays his journey. The text says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. But when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he didn’t depart immediate but stayed two days longer in the place where he was (John 11:5-6). This delay, however, does not show Jesus as being indifferent. Given the timing and distance for the message to travel, it is very likely that Lazarus died soon after the messenger was sent by Mary and Martha, and perhaps Jesus already knew this by revelation when the message arrived. Furthermore, Jesus knew that through this situation, though, God’s glory will be revealed in a way that will deepen the faith of his followers.

Reflect: When have you experienced a delay in answered prayer? How might God be using that time to deepen your trust or reveal His purpose?

Walking in the Light

When Jesus finally prepares to go to Judea, his disciples are concerned for his safety. Jesus responds, “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” (John 11:9). Jesus uses this physical reality to make a spiritual point: as long as we walk in the light of God’s revelation, we can move forward with confidence, even in dangerous or uncertain circumstances. Jesus models courageous trust in God, reminding us that our times are in God’s hands.

Reflect: What does it look like for you to “walk in the light” in your daily life? Where do you need courage to trust God’s guidance, even when the path is uncertain?

Jesus—the Resurrection and the Life

As Jesus approaches Bethany, Martha meets him with a mixture of faith and sorrow. She believes Jesus could have prevented her brother’s death, yet she holds onto hope that somehow Jesus might still do something. Jesus boldly declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25). This is not just a promise for the distant future; it is a present reality. Jesus reveals that through him, God’s life-giving power is available now, even in the face of death. Lazarus’ resurrection serves as a glimpse and foreshadowing of the future resurrection of all God’s people to new life.

Reflect: How does Jesus’ promise of resurrection shape your perspective on loss and the comfort of the hope? In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God’s power can bring new life?

The Glory of God Revealed

When Jesus sees Mary and the others weeping over Lazarus, he is deeply moved—so much so that he himself begins to weep (John 11:35). Jesus had a special attachment to Lazarus, and his tears show his genuine empathy and sorrow. Jesus’ grief is mingled with righteous anger at the pain and brokenness that death brings. He stands at the tomb, not as a rabbi or religious figure, but as a friend who was there with Mary and Martha in their pain.

Jesus intentionally prays out loud so that all those who were present at the tomb would believe that God sent him (John 11:42). Then, with a loud voice, Jesus called to Lazarus for him to come out of the tomb. As everyone stood there watching, Lazarus emerges from the tomb still wrapped in grave clothes. This miracle is a powerful display of God’s glory—His power in action. Lazarus’ resurrection is not the final victory over death, but a sign pointing to the greater hope that all who trust in Christ will one day be raised to everlasting life in the age to come.

Reflect: How does knowing that Jesus was moved by compassion encourage you in your own struggles? Who around you might need the comfort of your presence and solidarity today?

Encouragement

This record reminds us that Jesus meets us in our deepest pain and invites us to trust in God’s power and timing. Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and through him, we have hope that transcends even the death and the grave. May you find comfort in knowing that the same Jesus who wept at Lazarus’ tomb walks with you today, offering life, hope, and the promise of resurrection. Trust in God’s love, timing, and power in every circumstance in your life.

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The Dead Don’t Speak, and Their Silence is Deafening

THEME WEEK: Death & the Kingdom – John 11
Old Testament: 1 Kings 13 & 14
Poetry: Psalm 122

“Heaven tourism” is a great money maker. 

Perhaps you’ve never heard the term, but I know you’ve seen the book. Or books.

Don Piper claimed to spend 90 Minutes in Heaven (6 million copies), while Bill Wiese had the greater misfortune of spending 23 Minutes in Hell. (Unfortunately only 1 million copies sold)

Heaven is for Real sold more than 10 million copies by 2014, and it’s movie earned $101 at the box office that same year. 

However, not every book can be a winner. After his story being told by his father in The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven, Alex Malarkey denied that he ever went to heaven, that he had any memory of it. He claimed he said those things because it gave him attention. 

For a while in Christian writing, everyone seemed to be claiming that they had had near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and visited heaven and hell.

I’d like to tell about one of these stories from the Bible. 

I’d like to, but I can’t.

In John 11, Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, a person who believes (like his sisters Mary and Martha) that Jesus is the Messiah, dies. Jesus goes to Bethany, having already told his disciples that Lazarus was dead and that he was going to bring him back to life. He speaks to the sisters of Lazarus. He weeps over the death of his friend. Then he goes to the tomb. Though Mary protested that they should not remove the stone (“Lord he stinketh” John 11:39 KJV), Jesus told her that if she would believe she would see the glory of God. After declaring the glory of God in prayer, Jesus said “Lazarus, come forth.” And out of the grave came the dead man. They unbind the man so that he can move freely. 

Then Lazarus writes long scrolls called “Four Days in Sheol”, signs a theater deal, and makes hundreds of talents on the royalties. Because if anyone walks through the pearly gates, it’s a personal friend and follower of the Messiah. 

… OR … 

The only other time Lazarus gets mentioned again is in chapter 12 when “the Jews” decide to try and kill Lazarus along with Jesus because Lazarus was a walking, talking, breathing, LIVING reminder of the power of God on display in Jesus Christ. 

Please don’t miss that this is the point of the story! Jesus is not simply a healer, not simply a bringer of resurrection. Jesus is the resurrection himself. 

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Christ promises those who believe in him that they will live, even though they die. But this resurrection is not taking place now, as if there is some sort of eternally present resurrection. Jesus’ statement that he is the resurrection is made in response to Martha. She had just said to him, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 

What we need to see is that Martha is not wrong. She knew about the timing of the resurrection of every believer; she just didn’t realize the blessing that was about to happen to her. 

If it is true that the dead cannot praise God (Isaiah 38:18), if it is true that there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave (Ecclesiastes 9:10), then maybe we should take to heart the deafening silence of Lazarus. He didn’t tell us anything because their isn’t anything that we need to know beyond what Jesus has said about himself in this chapter. We shouldn’t be waiting to fly away to glory when this life is over, but instead, we will be raised by the Resurrection and the Life Himself when this age comes to an end. Christ will open the book of life, and if we put our trust and hope in him, he will read our names. 

Now that’s a book worth reading. The Resurrection is For Real. 

-Jake Ballard

Reflection Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you that Jesus IS the resurrection and the life?
  2. Do you have a hope in the resurrection on the last day (of this age) like Martha did? If not, is there more study you can do about this hope – not in heaven tourism books but in God’s book.
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Stake Your Life on This

John 11

John 11 25

In John 11, Jesus received word that his dear friend was very sick, and yet Jesus stayed where he was for two more days before heading to Bethany, where Lazarus was.  When he finally got there, Lazarus had been dead for four days.

Martha, Lazarus’ sister came out to meet with Jesus, and we have a record of their incredible conversation.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

I love these incredible statements of faith:  If Jesus had only been there, he could have healed Lazarus.  Even now, God would give Jesus anything Jesus asked.  “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

No wonder Jesus loved this family.  They were devout followers of Christ with amazing faith.

You know the rest of the story.  Jesus told them to roll away the stone.  Martha said basically, “he’s going to stink, he’s been dead four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Then Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”  And the dead man came out!

Many people believed in Jesus because of this miracle.  But not everyone believed. The Pharisees’ response was, “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him…” and they plotted to kill him.

How is it possible to have such diametrically opposed reactions?  Unfortunately, we see a similar range of reactions to Jesus today, from faithful devotion to hostility.

I don’t know about you, but I want to have the same reaction Martha demonstrated.  And I’m staking my life on verses 25 and 26.  I want to encourage you – do the same.  And I’ll look forward to seeing you at the last day.

-Steve Mattison