And then the religious leaders came to the point in time not far from Jesus’ arrest, and Christ did this stupendous miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. It was the talk of the town and isn’t it true that somewhere in their thinking there was the idea that perhaps, although they would have liked to arrest Him, they just might not be able to do it.
And then the religious leaders came to the point in time not far from Jesus’ arrest, and Christ did this stupendous miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. It was the talk of the town and isn’t it true that somewhere in their thinking there was the idea that perhaps, although they would have liked to arrest Him, they just might not be able to do it.
Not only did they understand the teaching, but they feared the teacher. Oh, they wouldn’t have said that. They were not afraid Jesus might rise from dead. Instead, they feared that Jesus’ disciples might come and steal the body and claim Jesus had risen from the dead. But deep down underneath, who was it they really feared? Was it the disciples? That insignificant band of cowardly men who didn’t even have the courage to stand by their Lord at the time of the arrest and the trial and who scattered at the crucifixion, who were nowhere around and couldn’t be found? Was it really that weak, insignificant band they feared? Or did they really fear the Master?
Yesterday, we concluded by saying that during Jesus’ trial before the religious leaders, these men tried to find something they could accuse Jesus of. However, nothing they said could be established, even though many false witnesses were brought against Jesus. Two came forward and declared, “This fellow said ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” And Mark gives another detail of it: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days I will build another not made by man’” (14:58).
That was very interesting, and it was so for two reasons.
It’s a strange fact about Christianity, but one that we can easily observe, that the Gospel is sometimes better understood by those who are not Christians than by those who are. It’s not that those who are not Christians believe it. They probably disbelieve it, but at least they understand what it’s about while those who are Christians and do believe sometimes appear vague and muddleheaded in their confession.
Now what did Jesus teach these women? He taught that He is the resurrection and the life. The statement is in John 11:25, and it contains two thoughts. First, in Jesus the resurrection is present, for Jesus Himself is life. Martha was thinking in terms of a resurrection at the end of time, a bodily resurrection. Jesus taught that the real resurrection, the one that makes all the difference between real life and real death, is the resurrection that takes place in the individual when he comes face to face with Himself. He is the resurrection. Where He is, there is life.
The story continues with Christ’s return to Bethany. Jesus does not go right into the city since the rulers of the Jews had determined to kill Him and He did not wish His presence known. Instead He waits outside. As He waits Martha hears that He has come and goes to meet Him. Mary waits in the home.
In yesterday’s study, we noted that Jesus returned to Bethany after a delay of two days. Upon arriving, He was told that Lazarus had been dead four days. This meant that Lazarus must have died before Jesus had even received the message that Lazarus was sick. And this means that Jesus knew of Lazarus’ death from the beginning and delayed His return for a specific purpose.
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