The Gospel of John #64

by Robert E. Guenther
Continuing our review of the Gospel of John, Chapter 11:31-40.
      Our Lord is using the death of Lazarus to help Mary and Martha understand questions they had concerning resurrection.
      Vs John 11:31 “The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.” These Jews are guessing where and why she went out of the house.
      Vs John 11:32 “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” We know from this verse that Mary was going to meet Jesus and try to find an answer to why He had allowed her brother to die and was not going to Lazarus’ grave site to weep.
      Vs John 11:33 “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,” Our Lord is moved in His spirit and troubled. I believe Jesus has great sympathy and compassion for the loss that death has for those who are left behind. I think He is troubled because she does not understand why the Lord allowed Lazarus to die.
      Vs John 11:34 “And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.” This question is one in which the Lord knew the answer but does show His human side to them.
      Vs John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” This emotion of weeping is very effective in showing our Lords ability to reveal His feelings to the Jews watching.
      Vs John 11:36 “Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” The Lords feelings are truly on display and shows His love and human side to the Jews.
      Vs John 11:37 “And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?” To those who did not believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh that seem to lack the ability to acknowledge all that Christ could do to prove who he really is.
      Vs John 11:38 “Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. ”The Lord is going to have to prove what he was capable of doing yet again. The groaning is revealing the frustration of not being believed no matter what miracle He performs.
      Vs John 11:39 “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” The four days proves Lazarus is dead.
      Vs John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” This resurrection was performed to reveal the Glory of God.                                                                                 ...to be continued.