He planned to lay his life down willingly, to experience the horrible torture of crucifixion, the bitter wrenching of body from soul and friend from friend. They had to act fast to stop this sort of thing from getting out of hand.īut that was all part of his plan. It demonstrated to his enemies just how great a threat he was. You and I might expect that the news of this miracle, brought back to Jerusalem by numerous eye-witnesses, would lead to the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Messiah.īut the Lord knew it would have the exact opposite effect. This is the last recorded miracle or “sign” in John’s gospel. This demonstration of Jesus’ power over death was a sign of his own coming resurrection, and of Lazarus’s and ours as well. So, in the presence of the great crowd assembled for the funeral, Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb. A few years later, the mourners would have to assemble around his bedside once again. The raising of Lazarus was only a stay of execution. And the salvation would have to be a permanent one. If Jesus were really the savior, he had to save us from the grave. But wise and healthy people still face the horror of death. Because when he called him forth from the tomb, Jesus was making clear why he had come. This is why Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in the first place. ![]() His miraculous works in John’s gospel are called signs because they point beyond themselves to something even greater he will do to gain a greater benefit for all. But he always has more in mind than helping just the victim lying before him. Jesus’ miracles in the gospels always spring from his compassion for the suffering. So in the presence of those wounded by death’s sting, Jesus weeps.īanner/featured image The Raising of Lazarus by Alessandro Magnasco. It rips loved ones from the embrace of their families. ![]() In fact, he forbade Adam and Eve only one thing – a fruit that would make them subject to it.ĭeath came into the world through the envy of the devil, not through the plan of God. His Father had never intended for us to experience it. Others think death to be merely a portal to eternity. Some people accept death as a natural part of human life. He did not say they should wear white and rejoice that their brother had finally gone home to heaven. Yet when he was met by a distraught Mary and her weeping companions, he did not rebuke them for crying. Imagine their surprise when he tells them a few days later that Lazarus is dead and that it’s time to visit his grave. Not to worry, he explained to his disciples. This, on the other hand, was one of his dearest friends. But Jesus had dropped everything many times before to heal strangers. So it was a surprise to all that Jesus did not come immediately when he heard that Lazarus was ill. They lived in a town called Bethany, located on the slope of the Mount of Olives. The family was that of Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. In the Gospel of this beloved disciple, we learn that Jesus had one family who was particularly beloved in this way. Out of twelve, Jesus had one especially beloved. While we can do good and even risk our lives for a stranger, we have special bonds of intimacy and affection with a rather small circle. For human beings have family and friends. ![]() If he did not love some more than others, Jesus wouldn’t be fully human. Jesus, Friend of Lazarusīut God became man. Some find it hard to accept that God would love some people more than others. Italy, click on the play arrow on the left directly below this paragraph. The gospel story of the raising of Lazarus found in John 11 shows us why Jesus can love some friends and disciples more than others, why death is not natural and beautiful, the difference between resurrection and resuscitation, and the deeper meaning of Jesus’ miracles or “signs” as they are called in the John’s gospel. ![]() This post is also available in: Spanish, Italian
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |