We continue our study of John chapter 11. to review, Martha went to meet Jesus, while Mary stayed home in her grief. Martha knew that if Jesus had been there her brother wouldn’t have died. she also knew that Jesus would do something good. Whatever god directed him to do. Martha confesses her faith in Christ as her lord, and that he was life, and resurrection.
John 11:28—45
After her confession of faith, Martha privately told her sister Jesus was waiting outside. Jesus was calling for her. A request from Jesus was considered a command for Mary. She got right up and went to him.
Jesus waited outside, in the same place he met with Martha. Possibly he did this because of the many jews gathered at the home. Some of them who might have previously been looking to kill him. possibly his presence would have caused a stir,, and a private moment with Mary wouldn’t be possible.
There were Jews in the house. A collection of people there to mourn. Possibly family, friends, professional mourners. The group just saw a key family member raced from the home! Was she going to the tomb for a round of grieving? This was the emotional sister after all. I guess Martha’s quiet, practical nature didn’t get noticed on the grief radar.
She falls at his feet. She makes much the same claim as Martha did. If You had been here, my brother would not have died.
With Martha, Jesus comforted her with words. You might say It was her love language. With Mary who was weeping, and the mourners who were weeping, Jesus was also emotional.
Definitions
- Weeping. Sobbing, wailing out loud.
- deeply moved, groaned. Snort with anger, like a horse snorting…
- troubled. Stirred, agitated.
A seemingly innocent question. Where did you lay him? Can you imagine the thoughts of the mourners? He wants to mourn at the tomb too, right? Jesus had more in mind.
John 11:35 Jesus wept.
Why did Jesus weep, if he knew before he ever arrived what he was going to do?. He told the disciples he was glad for them that Lazarus died, this would glorify god. Lazarus was in a better place and he was calling him back. He was upset at being misunderstood by the bystanders. Any or all of the above might be true.
The Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” True, Jesus loved Lazarus. But his tears weren’t over his loss. Lazarus was a believer who would be resurrected on the last day, but also in a few moments.
Some recognized his miracle power, just as Martha and Mary did. They had the same question the sisters had, if You had been here, he would not have died. Reference to the blind man was recent. It was just a few days or weeks earlier. Were they doubting him, or challenging his power? He didn’t get upset when the sisters made the same statement.
Later, actions from hostile Jews would lead to the events of the crucifixion. Also, Lazarus would be in their sights as well.
Again, Jesus was deeply moved, he groaned. Snorted with anger.
He came to the stone burial cave.
The custom of the day was to bury the body. It was loosely wrapped and allowed to decay. later, a year or so, it was dug up. The bones were placed in an ossuary, a small coffin. This allowed tombs to be reused and the smaller box was easier to deal with.
This wasn’t going to be easy. Jesus commanded the stone to be removed. The stone sealed the tomb and was heavy for a reason. After 4 days…. well, you know… the body stinks. This was going to be ugly.
John 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
He had told his disciples this would glorify god. He had told Martha he was resurrection and life. She said she believed him. That he would do whatever God showed him to do. It was time to put her faith into action.
The stone is raised. Jesus prays a word of thanks. He continues.
He knows god always hears him, god also hears us. He prays out loud, not for his own sake, not for god’s sake. It is so his listeners will understand and believe.
He called out in a loud voice. When Jesus calls, come to him.
Lazarus came out, Still bound in grave clothes. He was bound but was probably LOOSE ENOUGH TO WIGGLE AND HOP. HE CAME OUT. NOW IT WAS UP TO OTHERS TO FINISH LOOSENING HIM.
45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.
from here, events take a different direction.
Thanks to the recorded comments from J Vernon McGee. His ministry and daily bible study live on through Through the Bible Ministries (ttb.org)
Scriptures in the show notes and episode are quoted from the King James Version, except when read by Keith, then it’s the NASB.
“Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:34 — 43.5MB)
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