The Death of Lazarus
Scripture
John 11:1-16
Commentary
Despite receiving word that Lazarus was sick,
Jesus intentionally waits another two days until He attends to
him. Jesus' statement that the illness would not end in
death confused the disciples but is nevertheless true.
While Lazarus did in fact die, that wasn't the end of the story.
As is often the case, the disciples
misunderstand Jesus and He must clarify. The disciples
thought that Lazarus was still asleep and not actually dead.
Jesus explains that He is glad for the opportunity to raise
Lazarus from the dead so that the disciples would see and
believe.
Thomas' statement, "Let us also go, that we may
die with him," can be interpreted two ways. The first way
is literal. Jesus had recently been run out of Judea as
the Jews tried to stone Him. Returning there could mean
their deaths. Or this could be a wavering of faith by
Thomas. Perhaps Jesus is not as great as he believed if He
was unable to prevent the death of His good friend Lazarus.
If that were the case, then the life they had hoped for with
Jesus was as good as dead.
|
