John: Do You Believe This?

John 11:1-27

Besides the Twelve, Jesus also had a few close friends with whom he spent time, giving us a glimpse of some personal moments. These visits provided a break and valuable teaching opportunities. We can also imagine that these stopovers offered necessary respites from the crowds.

One family that Jesus particularly enjoyed was Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. The gospel writer Luke shares a personal teaching moment Jesus had during an interaction with the two sisters. This story also provides insight into the sisters’ personalities.

Once, when Jesus visited their home, Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39), while Martha was busy preparing the meal. Eventually, Martha became frustrated because she was doing all the work and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:40). Jesus told Martha that she was “anxious and troubled about many things,” unlike Mary, who had chosen to focus on things that could “not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). There is much to consider in this conversation, but we’ll leave it there for now.

We will learn more about Mary in the next chapter, with John providing a preview in 11:2. John assumes that most readers are already familiar with this other event from reading Mark’s gospel account. He now focuses on an incredible miracle Jesus performs for these special friends.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany, just a few miles from Jerusalem. Lazarus, whom we assume was a young man, became seriously ill. His sisters quickly sent word to Jesus. “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3). 

Jesus was in an area east of the Jordan River, most likely Perea (John 10:40). The last time he had been in Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him and later attempted to arrest him (John 10:31, 39). Knowing it wasn’t his time, Jesus traveled about twenty-five to thirty miles to Perea, east of the Dead Sea in what is now Jordan. 

It would have taken a day for the messengers from Bethany to deliver the news about Lazarus. They didn't realize that Lazarus had already died while they were on their way. However, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he made an interesting statement. He said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). There are three truths to note from Jesus’ statement: 

1. Jesus knew that he would raise Lazarus from the dead, and through this act, God would be glorified.
2. Jesus also understood that Lazarus being raised from the dead would be the deciding factor for the Jewish leaders. Now they would arrest him and find a way to crucify him, but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, he would be glorified.
3. All the events surrounding Lazarus’ death and resurrection were part of God’s sovereign plan.

John reminds us how much Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. And then adds, “So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was” (John 11:6).

What would you do if you found out that someone you loved was near death? Most likely, you would stop what you were doing and make the necessary arrangements to be with them as soon as possible. Why did Jesus wait two days? Let’s continue to explore this incredible story. 

After two days, Jesus said, “Let us go to Judea again.”

The disciples were confused, presumably saying (my paraphrase),
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
“Did you forget what happened the last time we were in Jerusalem?”
“We were just there, and they tried to kill you. That’s why we left.”
“Why in the world would we go back?”

Here’s how Jesus answered,

John 11:9-10
Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.

Jesus’ words have two meanings about light. On a human level, he refers to physical light. On a spiritual level, Jesus remembers his statement, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). The time for the cross was approaching. The “Light” would be taken away when he returned to the Father. 

Jesus told his disciples that Lazarus had “fallen asleep,” a beautiful way to describe death for a believer. When someone falls asleep, they wake up again! (See Acts 7:60; 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thes. 4:13–18). But the disciples were only thinking about the physical meaning and believed it was a good sign that Lazarus was resting. Then “Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him’” (John 11:14-15). 

The Twelve believed that returning to Jerusalem would be very dangerous for Jesus, and their fears proved to be justified. I admire Thomas’s resolve: “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). When I read this verse, I always hear it in Eeyore's voice from Winnie the Pooh. I know that’s not very spiritual, but I just can’t help it. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas” because he initially didn’t believe Jesus had risen from the dead, until he saw the risen Lord with his own eyes. We’ll consider this later in the gospel. However, here, Thomas steps forward and shows great faith and courage, even in the face of death. 

Let’s review the timeline of this situation. Lazarus died the same day messengers from Mary and Martha arrived to inform Jesus about him (Day 1). Due to the climate in the Middle East, people who died were typically buried the same day. Jesus stayed where he was for two days (Days 2-3). Then, Jesus and the disciples traveled back to Bethany (Day 4). By the time Jesus arrived, “Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days” (John 11:17). These events were important for what Jesus was about to do. 

In Jewish thought, there was a belief that the soul hovered near the body for three days after death. By the fourth day, it was thought the soul departed permanently. This idea is not Scripture-based. We know from several New Testament passages that when a believer is absent from the body, they are present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 1:23). However, for the Jews of Jesus’ time, Day 4 emphasized the finality of death.

Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem, and many friends had come to console the family. When Mary and Martha heard that Jesus had come, Martha (the doer) ran to meet him, while Mary (the reflective one) remained in the house. Let’s listen in on the conversation between Martha and Jesus.

John 11:21-24
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 

Martha’s first response, “I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you,” sounds like she expects a resurrection. However, she is simply confirming her belief in Jesus as the Messiah. She affirms this again in John 11:27 when she says, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” When Jesus says, “Your brother will rise again,” she is looking ahead to the end days, when the dead will rise from their graves. Then Jesus declares the fifth “I AM” statement:

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

We’ll stop here today, but let’s take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ statement and the question he raises. Jesus is the “resurrection and the life.” By his resurrection, he is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20-23). He gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-5). And one day, when he returns, he will provide a resurrected body to believers who have physically died (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

But the believer will never die! Do you believe that? Do you honestly believe that?

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 11:1-27. Focus on John 11:25-26 and the truth that those who are in Jesus will never die!

Talking to God: In times of waiting or when God seems silent, like when Jesus delayed going to heal Lazarus, how do you usually respond—and what might it look like to trust God's bigger plan even when you don't understand it?

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