John 11 is a familiar scripture. Lazarus was sick and died. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, but He waited four days to come. Ultimately, Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave and restored his life. A powerful account! As I recently read this story, I allowed my mind to wander down some bunny trails. I meditated upon a few specific verses discovering some deeper perspectives within the normal narrative. I want to share a few of my thoughts.
“Are there not twelve hours of daylight?
Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble,
for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person
walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
John 11:9-10
Day and night remind me of Genesis 1:3-5. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Day and night were God’s first creation.
It does not take a deep study of astronomy to understand the difference between day and night. We can simply look in the sky for the sun or the moon. However, Jesus is referring to more than physical day and night. There is also spiritual light and darkness.
Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” During our earthly days, we wil encounter dark shadows of doubt, disappointment and discouragement However, we also are given the choice of walking in dartnkess or light. I John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” We are also lights. Matthew 5:16 encourages us, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
We will experience day and night, light and darkness, physically and spiritually. Let’s be wise and make meditating upon God’s word a priority day and night. (See Psalm 1:2)
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.
It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” He said.
John 11:38-39
The stone of the grave had to be removed before Jesus could do what He planned to do. For Lazarus, this was a physical stone. Within us, hardened hearts may be the stones that need to be removed. We may have stony spots that need to be taken away so God can use us as He desires. The Lord promises in Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put My Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.”
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out,
his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen,
and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them,
“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
John 11:43-44
In John 11:25, Jesus declared that He was the resurrection and the life. Now He imparts to Lazarus the lifestyle He described. Jesus commanded Lazarus to come out of the grave in verse 43. This was resurrection. Brought back to life. In the next verse, Jesus told others to take off the grave clothes. Lazarus’ bandages had to be removed before he could live his restored life.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave, He was also giving a prophetic picture of what would soon happen to Him. After Jesus was crucified, died and was buried, Luke 24:5-7 tells us about the women who went to the tomb. Two angels spoke to the women at Jesus’ tomb. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”
Because of His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us life. He offers us more than the physical life He gave Lazarus. In John 3, Jesus and Nicodemus had a conversation about being born again. Jesus told him in verses 5-7, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at My saying, ‘You must be born again.’” When we are born again, we receive eternal life. But this is not all that Jesus offers. Paul says in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of His resurrection.” This is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. We must not be content with just being born again. Let’s live in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is exemplified in John 11 when Lazarus’ bandages were removed.
What are our death bandages or bondages? These must be removed in order to live the life of resurrection. Ephesians 1:18-20 says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”
As I close, let’s return to the biblical narrative of John 11. May we never minimize the scripture’s truth. However, the Holy Spirit may have more to say to you than just the printed words of a particular scripture. Take time to meditate upon God’s Word and allow Him to speak.
An Apple of Gold 