The Jews (11:41–57)

The Jews (11:41–57)

From then on, the focus was on the faith of those who had come to comfort Martha and Mary. Jesus stopped to pray (John 11:41; see also 6:11) and thanked the Father for hearing the prayer. When did He pray? It was probably when He got the news that His friend was sick (John 11:4). Then the Father told Him what to do, and Jesus did what the Father wanted. He prayed now for the people who didn't believe in God so they would know that God had sent Him.

One writer said that if Jesus hadn't called Lazarus by name when He shouted, He would have emptied the whole cemetery! Jesus called Lazarus and brought him back to life. Lazarus couldn't walk to the tomb door because he was tied up, so God's power must have moved him. Even the most hostile observer could not deny that it was a miracle.

Lazarus's story is a good example of what happens to a sinner who puts their faith in the Savior (Eph. 2:1–10). Lazarus was dead, and so are all sinners. He was dead and decayed because death and decay are inseparable. Everyone who is lost is spiritually dead, but some are more "decayed" than others. No one can be "more dead" than someone else.

God brought Lazarus back to life, and everyone who believes in Christ has been given new life and taken out of the graveyard of sin (see John 5:24).

Lazarus was freed from the graveclothes (see Col. 3:1ff.) and given a new chance to live. You see him sitting at the table with Christ (John 12:2), and all believers are "seated with Christ" in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6), where they enjoy spiritual food and fellowship. Lazarus had changed so much that many people wanted to see him. God used his "living witness" to bring people to salvation (John 12:9–11). There are no written words of Lazarus in the Gospels, but his daily life is enough to show people that Jesus is the Son of God. Because he was a positive witness, the religious leaders wanted to kill Lazarus and get rid of the evidence.

Like the other miracles, people had different reactions. Some people did believe, and on "Palm Sunday" they told others about the miracle Jesus had done (John 12:17–18). But some people went right away to the religious leaders and told them what had happened in Bethany. These "informers" were so close to the kingdom, but there is no proof that they believed. If the heart does not submit to truth, then the grace of God cannot effect salvation. These people could have had a spiritual rebirth in their lives!

The Jewish council, or Sanhedrin, had to get together and talk about what to do with Jesus. They weren't looking for the truth; they were investigating how to protect their own selfish interests. If He got too many followers, the Romans might notice Him, which would be detrimental for the Jewish cause.

Caiaphas, the high priest, was a Sadducee, not a Pharisee (Acts 23:6–10). However, the two groups could always work together to fight a common enemy. Caiaphas spoke a divine prophecy without knowing it: Jesus would die for the nation so that the nation would not die. "For the transgression of My people was He stricken" (Isa. 53:8). John added his inspired explanation to his vision of a worldwide family of God: Jesus would die not only for the Jews but also for all of God's children who would be gathered together in one heavenly family. (See John 4:42 and 10:16.)

It was decided that day that Jesus had to die (see Matt. 12:14; Luke 19:47; John 5:18; 7:1, 19–20, 25). The leaders thought they were in charge, but God was really in charge and carrying out His plan (Acts 2:23). They had planned to wait until after the Passover, but God had other plans.

Jesus went to Ephraim, which is about fifteen miles north of Jerusalem, and stayed there in peace with His disciples. Pilgrims were worried that Jesus, who was in danger, might not go to Jerusalem for Passover. He was now on the "wanted" list because the council had told everyone that anyone who knew where Jesus was had to tell the police.

John 11 shows that Jesus Christ is God and that the human heart is completely evil. The rich man in Hades said, "If someone came back from the dead, they would repent" (Luke 16:30). The authorities wanted to kill Lazarus after he came back to life. Miracles do show God's power, but they can't show God's grace on their own.

The stage was set for the most dramatic event in history, when man would do his worst and God would do his best.