17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “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. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”
Message: Source and Sustainer of Life
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has now arrived in Bethany. Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus to tell him of Lazarus being sick (11:4). When Jesus arrives, Lazarus is already in the tomb having been dead for 4 days. Martha proclaims to Jesus her belief that things would have been different for Lazarus if he had been here when Lazarus was still alive. She understood that Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise again to which Martha agrees and understands this when in the future, at Christ's return, he will be resurrected. But Jesus then makes a more compelling statement that is consistent with the statements he has made in the past when He proclaimed Himself living water (4:13), the living bread (6:51), the Light of the World (8:12) and that he says, "I am" (8:58). Jesus is way different from any one else. And He is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Him will die, but then keep on living. And Martha confirms her belief in Him.
John notes in verse 17 that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. This is significant for John to mention because of the ancient Jewish belief that for 3 days following death, the soul hovers over the body and thus there is the possibility of the soul reentering the body and bringing it back to life. By mentioning four days, the soul has departed for good and the body remains in the grave until the resurrection at the end of the age. Thus, when Jesus raises Lazarus it will be proof of His supernatural power and authority.
Lazarus seems to be well known. Verse 19 mentions "Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother" giving the idea that Lazarus or Mary and Martha were significant members of the Jewish community. And then Mary later anointing Jesus with perfume in chapter 12, expensive perfume gives the possibility that this family was prominent in the community. Thus, what Jesus was preparing to do carried with it more significance because of the possibility wealth and raising a well known person.
By Jesus mentioning He is the "resurrection and the life" he is stating that he is the source and sustainer of life. There is no life apart for Him. Unless we are with Him we cannot achieve eternal life with God in heaven and will suffer the wrath of God. John is mentioning about Jesus once again that believing in Him results in eternal life. This continues to be the consistent theme of the book of John. Again, Jesus has already mentioned that in this present life He is the source of all we need when He declares Himself to be the Water of Life and the Bread of Life, thus supplying in Himself every need of spiritual thirst and spiritual hunger. And now He goes beyond this life to the future. Jesus is all we need.
Jesus tells Martha, “Your brother will rise again." This is an encouraging word He gives to Martha who up to that point regrets that Jesus has not come sooner. But Jesus in His response looks to the future and Lazarus' future and gives Martha the assurance that He will rise again -- at this point not being clear which resurrection that will be for Jesus has not been clear if he will immediately rise him from the dead or if this speaks of the peace to all family members that are in Christ of their resurrection to eternal life with Jesus. Either way, the words can be an encouragement to Martha.
Daniel 12:2 has given the promise that, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." So Martha's response in verse 24 confirms her understanding. There is possibly a little disappointment in this statement for again she was focused on him remaining alive.
In verse 26, Jesus mentions that we are to believe but we are also to live in Him. But this is not really a new idea because He is previously inferred this when speaking that a full life on this earth now is yielding to Him and trusting in Him to provide our needs.
Jesus continues to speak with confidence. And so we can rest in that assurance.
Summary: Jesus arrives in Bethany, and speaks to Martha, who is sad he is late, though Jesus assures her is the Resurrection and the Life and believing in Him results in eternal life to all.
Promise: Death will not have the final word for all those who are united to Him by faith.
Prayer: Lord, I continue to speak of You as I speak to people with questions about You and whether You need to be believed in. Your words are clear and we must hold onto them. You are the resurrection and the life. You are living water. You are the living bread and the Light of the World. Help us to believe this and like someone has said recently to know what it means to really believe in You. I want my days to be lived by this truth. You grant me peace and assurance continually through Your word. Help me to help people to walk with You continually, to study Your words and be an encouragement to Many. Continue to encourage me and help me to stand with You. Continue to deepen my faith. Draw people to You. Draw family members closer to You and help them to really believe in You and that You provide for their needs. Out of fear we tend to do things our own way. Yes, Lord, I believe in You and Yes, Lord, I will live for you.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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