Explore the incredible story of Lazarus from John 11, where Jesus’ miraculous power brings life back to what was lost. Douglas Vandergraph offers an insightful review of this New Testament chapter, focusing on how Jesus’ words, “I am the resurrection and the life,” call us to a deeper faith. Learn how this timeless message of hope can transform your perspective on life’s challenges and struggles. Dive deeper into this powerful Bible passage today!
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00:00The Gospel of John chapter 11. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that
00:06seemed utterly hopeless? Maybe you prayed and prayed, yet God seemed silent or even
00:14distant. Life's hardest moments often feel like dead ends with no light at the
00:19end of the tunnel. But in the Gospel of John chapter 11, we encounter a story
00:25that flips our expectations, showing that with Jesus, even when it seems too
00:32late, it's never over. The story of Lazarus teaches us not only about
00:37miracles, but about God's character, His timing, and His power to bring life
00:44where death seems to reign. Today, we'll dive into this story, uncovering its
00:50rich layers and timeless lessons that can transform how we see our own
00:55struggles and God's presence in them. Jesus's deep love for His friends.
01:03Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is seriously ill. They send word to Jesus,
01:10expecting Him to come quickly and heal Lazarus, as He had done for so many
01:15others. But instead of rushing to Bethany, Jesus remains where He is for two more
01:21days. His words to the disciples are striking. He says,
01:26This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son
01:33of God may be glorified through it. Now, Jesus's delay wasn't due to
01:39indifference. In fact, it was motivated by a deeper love that sought a greater good,
01:45an opportunity to reveal God's glory in a more profound way. This wasn't just
01:53about healing Lazarus. It was about demonstrating that Jesus has power, even
01:59over death. So, think about this. When God delays in answering your prayers,
02:06remember, His delay is not a denial, but an invitation to deeper faith. Sometimes
02:14God allows circumstances to get worse, so that His power can be more clearly seen.
02:20Trust that His delays are purposeful, aiming to strengthen your faith and
02:25bring glory to God. Jesus's encounter with Martha. I am the resurrection and
02:36the life. So, by the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four
02:42days, long enough for any hope of recovery to vanish in Jewish culture,
02:48where the soul was believed to leave the body by the third day. Martha, filled with
02:54a mix of sorrow and faith, meets Jesus with a lament. Lord, if you had been here,
03:01my brother would not have died. Yet, she also expresses hope, saying, But even now
03:08I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. And Jesus's response
03:16is a profound declaration. He says, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever
03:24believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and
03:31believes in me shall never die. Now, this is more than a statement about the
03:37afterlife. It's a present reality. Jesus is claiming to be the source of all life,
03:45eternal life, that begins the moment we believe in Him. Now, this conversation
03:52invites us to believe in Jesus, not only for the future, but for the present as
03:57well. Jesus is not just the Savior for after we die. He is the one who breathes
04:04life into our dead circumstances, our broken dreams, and our deepest pains. Are
04:11you willing to believe in Him right now, even when life doesn't make sense?
04:19Jesus weeps with Mary, His compassion in our pain. Now, after speaking with Martha,
04:27Jesus is led to Mary, who is also grieving deeply. When he sees her weeping along
04:34with the crowd of mourners, Jesus is moved with deep emotion. Then we read one
04:40of the shortest but most profound verses in the Bible. Jesus wept. Now, this is a
04:49glimpse into the heart of God. Jesus, fully God and fully man, is not immune to
04:56human suffering. He does not rebuke Mary or the mourners for their grief, nor does
05:02he minimize their pain. Instead, he enters into it with them, showing that
05:08God is not distant or indifferent, but deeply compassionate. Now, when you weep,
05:15Jesus weeps with you. He is not detached or stoic, as many may think. He is a God
05:23who understands our suffering and is near to the brokenhearted. In times of
05:29sorrow, let this be a comfort. Jesus cares deeply about your pain, and his
05:35tears reflect his love for you. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the miracle.
05:43As Jesus stands before the tomb, he commands the stone to be rolled away.
05:50Martha, ever practical, is concerned about the smell of decay. Lazarus has been dead
05:57for four days, after all. But Jesus reminds her,
06:01did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? And after
06:08a brief prayer, Jesus calls out in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! And miraculously,
06:16Lazarus emerges from the tomb, wrapped in the burial cloths, alive. Now, Jesus's
06:24command to come forth is both literal and symbolic. It demonstrates his
06:30authority over physical death, but it also serves as a metaphor for spiritual
06:35resurrection. Jesus can call forth new life in places that seem dead, whether in
06:42relationships, dreams, or faith. Now, where are the dead places in your life, areas
06:50where hope seems lost? Jesus is calling out to us, inviting us to believe that
06:57nothing is beyond his power to resurrect. Are you willing to roll away the stone
07:03of doubt and allow him to bring new life to what you thought was lost forever? Now,
07:13as we reflect on the story of Lazarus, consider how it relates to your own life.
07:18When God seems distant, or when it feels like he's not answering your prayers,
07:24remember that he may be working out a bigger plan than you can see right now.
07:29His love is not just reactive, it's proactive, aiming for the highest good
07:36and the greatest glory. So, what is your Lazarus? Where in your life do you feel
07:44dead, hopeless, or forgotten? Jesus is asking you the same question he asked
07:51Martha. Do you believe this? Do you believe that he is the resurrection and
07:57the life, not only in eternity, but here and now? Let this story leave a lasting
08:05mark on your heart. With Jesus, dead ends become doorways, delays turn into
08:11displays of glory, and despair can become hope. As you go from here, carry this
08:18thought. God's love is not just seen in his immediate answers, but in his
08:25ultimate victory. Trust him even in the waiting, and believe that he is always
08:31able to bring life where death once reigned. Amen.
08:37It's beautiful, isn't it? Friends, I will be back tomorrow for us to discuss the
08:43Gospel of John, chapter 12. This is the favorite time of every day that I
08:51experience. I love spending time with you, and I can't wait to see you tomorrow.
08:55Take care.