Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. John 11:21-23

Now as we continue to look at the Resurrection of Lazarus, we see Jesus and his disciples finally made it Bethany. Lazarus has now been dead for 4 days, Martha then tells Jesus “If you would have been here, Lazarus would not have died”  Isn’t this a common reaction we all have in tragedy? We blame God for everything that goes wrong, do we give him thanks for everything that goes right?

Jesus assures Martha, Lazarus will live again. Now Martha believed Jesus was referring to the final Resurrection coming (obviously she was a believer) However what she didn’t realize was Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead right now to demonstrate the Glory of God

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:24-26

Here again Jesus reveals another I AM statement, “ I AM the Resurrection” remember this is Jesus revealing his deity as the Great I AM revealed to Moses. But notice also if Jesus is The Resurrection, there is no eternal life outside of Christ. Jesus asks Martha a question “Do you believe this”? Jesus asking  you the same question today, “Do you believe Jesus is the Resurrection?”

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. John 11:27-30

Notice the faith of Martha, she declares “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” Martha was obviously a believer. Remember what Jesus said “Faith the size of a Mustard Seed can Move Mountains “ (Matthew 17:20) We are about to see something that is supernatural, that defies all the laws and logic of nature

Martha told her sister Mary, The Master has come! Yes Jesus our Lord has come to give us eternal life, Do you believe this?

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.John 11:1-4

We are about to learn about what of the historic moments of Jesus ministry, the resurrection of Lazarus. The first thing to note is that Jesus was very close with this family, Mary , Lazarus’ sister, was the one who anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume and washed his feet with her hair. This family had a deep relationship with Jesus, so the death of Lazarus was personal for Jesus

Jesus was going to use this moment to bring Glory to God and demonstrate who He is, the Messiah. Jesus even hesitated at visiting the family, probably to make sure every knew that Lazarus was physically dead and there was no medical miracle that was going to bring him back

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? John 11:5-8

There was still another obstacle, the religious leaders were looking to kill Jesus anytime they had the chance. These blind guides still didn’t realize that the Son of God had the power and authority to lay down or raise his own life. They personally couldn’t kill Jesus, unless it was the appointed time by God, yes God was still in control as always

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11: 9-11

Jesus using a metaphor with the darkness and daylight. As he revealed Jesus is “The light of the world” anyone walking outside of Christ is walking in darkness. Jesus prophecies that he is going to “awake Lazarus” , the disciples at this point though Lazarus was just asleep. However Jesus knew he was dead and was going to bring him back to life, to affirm who He is

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. John 11:12-15

Jesus revealed to his disciples that Lazarus was dead. He makes an interesting comment “I’m glad I was not there” why? Remember Jesus had great love and compassion for Lazarus and his family. Jesus probably would have just healed him on the spot

However God was using this moment to reveal who he is “I AM the Resurrection” We all need to be spiritually reborn by Christ, anyone wanting eternal life must come to Jesus Amen!