Lazarus, Come Out

Nov 17, 2019 | by Pastor Josh Tate | series: The Eight Miraculous Signs in John

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In this message we study the eleventh chapter of John which contains the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead. As I have pointed out many times in our study so far these signs serve to teach us important truths about who Jesus is and why He came. This one, of course, is no different for it continues one of the most hope-filled of Jesus’ “I Am” statements- “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

However, in verses 5 and 6 of that chapter we read these puzzling words, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

The word “so” at the beginning of verse 6 is sometimes translated “therefore” and it indicates that the action that Jesus takes in verse 6 flows directly from the information that we are given in verse 5. Jesus loves Martha and Mary and Lazarus SO, THEREFORE, BECAUSE THAT’S TRUE when he heard Lazarus was sick he stayed two days longer where he was rather than going directly to them.

This is counterintuitive. We would think that because he loves them he would rush to their side. Why is it better and more loving for him to stay away? We’ll seek to answer this question and others in this message as we enjoy our God together in the midst of His Word.