(John 11:25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Jesus would raise three people from the dead: The widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Jairus’ daughter (Mat 9:18-26), and Lazarus (John 11:1-45). These would point to His soon coming resurrection as well as the resurrection of believers in the future (John 5:28-29; 1 Cor 15).
The story of the raising of Lazarus was intense for the very fact that Lazarus was the good friend of Jesus, as well as the fact that he had been dead for four days. When Jesus arrives on the scene the atmosphere was emotionally charged. There were feelings of natural grief and mourning, as well as anger. Martha and Mary’s sorrow was misdirected on to Jesus when they said if He had been there then their brother would not have died. Jesus in the story groans in his spirit and then weeps when He sees all the sadness over the loss of Lazarus. Little did everyone know that a miracle was about to unfold.
A lot of people disparage Martha for being that overly busy and frantic type (Luke 10:38-42), but in this story she expresses faith even in the midst of her sadness. She said to Jesus, “But even now I now that whatever You ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said that her brother would rise again. Martha said that she knew that he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Then Jesus declared He was the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him would never die. This means when you put your faith and trust in Jesus, and what He did on the cross for your sins, you will be saved and have eternal life.
Jesus then asked Martha if she believed this and Martha said yes and that she believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world. This is significant because sometimes it’s hard to believe in the resurrection and have hope in eternal life through Christ because it’s almost too good to be true. Does God love us that much that He will save us for all of eternity? Can we be confident that as we approach death we will be a part of the resurrection to come and that furthermore our spirit is with Jesus in an instant? (2 Cor 5:8) Martha said yes, and we can be believe and be certain too. Then Jesus raised Lazarus!
In John chapter 12 we have the story of Jesus visiting the house of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. A supper was made and there and it was pointed out that Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Can you imagine the gratitude this family felt in their hearts for raising Lazarus and giving him back to them? No wonder Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus, which filled the whole house with the fragrance. That’s worship! How the Lord loves it when we are grateful in our hearts for all He has done and we adore Him in that sacrifice of praise (Heb 13:15). Let us worship our risen Lord!
Louie