A study of John 11:17-31 reveals faith in God while mourning, Jesus’ power over death, the source of eternal life, and a willing response to the Lord’s call.
A study of John 11:17-31 reveals faith in God while mourning.
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.” (ESV, John 11:21-22)
When Jesus arrives at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Martha goes out to meet him. She tells Jesus that Lazarus died four days ago and decay has begun. Why does this matter? Because of a common belief that a departed spirit hovered over the body three days after death hoping to re-enter. But left when decomposition set in. Four days establishes this period had passed and eliminates any natural explanation for Lazarus’ return to life. Raising him from the dead now indisputably demonstrates the power of God.
Despite her grief, Martha expresses confidence in Jesus’ healing power and his unlimited access to the father. Jesus assures her in V.23 that Lazarus will “rise again.” And Martha repeats Jesus in V.24 to affirm the same belief. They both use the Greek word anistēmi for “rise again,” which means to stand up, lift up, raise up and arise. Although Martha links it to the final judgement and resurrection at the last day as foretold by the prophet Daniel.
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. (ESV, Daniel 12:2)
However, Jesus refers to the present. And he follows with his final “I Am” statement in the gospel of John.
A study of John 11:17-31 reveals Jesus’ power over death and the source of eternal life.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (ESV, John 11:25-26)
The Greek words egō eimi translated “I AM” assert Jesus’ divinity as the Son of God. He exercises power over resurrection and life. But his claim here means it is more than an event. But is centered in a person. The Son of God. And egō eimi is a direct echo of Yahweh’s self-revelation in Exodus 3:14.
Along with resurrection, those who believe will live even though they die. Another way of saying those who believe in Jesus receive eternal life. And the key to that is believing in Jesus. The Greek word for “believe” is pisteuōn, which means the one believing. It indicates ongoing, continuous faith and means that believing in and following Jesus is not a one time decision but a lifetime committment of discipleship.
Martha affirms her belief in Jesus as the Messiah. Then returns to the house where her sister Mary is inside with a group of people offering grief support. Martha tells Mary that Jesus is outside and asking for her. And it sets up the final scene for this dramatic miracle.
A study of John 11:17-31 reveals a willing response to the Lord’s call.
The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. (ESV, John 11:28-29)
The Jewish cultural practice around death and mourning was different than today. Rather than a private, family matter, death was a community event where people gathered with the family and actively participated in mourning. The fact that Lazarus and his sisters were wealthy and influential likely added to the number of people who were present. Burials were usually immediate followed by seven days of the family mourning along with others who supported them emotionally and with food. And it included professional mourners.
The history of professional mourners goes back to the Old Testament.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider, and call for the mourning women to come; send for the skillful women to come; let them make haste and raise a wailing over us, that our eyes may run down with tears and our eyelids flow with water. (ESV, Jeremiah 9:17-20)
We also see it when Jesus raises the daughter of a synagogue leader from the dead.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. He went inside and asked, ‘Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ And they laughed at Him. (ESV, Mark 5:38-40)
It was the professional mourners who laughed at Jesus. Why? Because they were paid mourners who weren’t genuinely sorrowful. And as professionals, they knew the difference between sleep and death. Saying the girl was asleep when they knew she was dead was a joke to them. The profession was so established by this time even poor families were expected to hire at least one flute player and mourner.
Mary was more emotional and impulsive than Martha. The one who annointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wiped it off with her hair in John 12:1-8. She responds immediately to the Lord’s call and goes out to meet Jesus followed by everyone else in the house. And the crowd of mourners now serves another important purpose. As eyewitnesses to the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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