Why Did Jesus Raise Lazarus from the Dead
Today we will talk about why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Many Christians may not fully comprehend the depth and significance of this miracle. This event is not just a story from the Bible but a glimpse into Jesus’ power over life and death and the purpose behind such a gracious act. As we go through the Scriptures together, let us maintain a heart of meditation, allowing God’s word to speak to us and reveal the truth behind this extraordinary miracle.
The Significance of the Miracle
One of the primary reasons Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead was to reveal His divine power and authority. By resurrecting Lazarus, He not only showcased His ability to bring the dead back to life but also demonstrated His identity as the Son of God. In John 11:25-26, Jesus states, “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.” This is a bold declaration of His power over death itself, illustrating faith’s pivotal role in eternal life. The Greek word used for “resurrection” is “anastasis,” which means standing up or rising again. This highlights that Jesus is the one who enables life anew after death.
The historical view of Lazarus’s resurrection can be traced back to the community’s understanding of the time. In Jewish culture, death was a profound event, often associated with mourning and a deep sense of loss. By raising Lazarus, Jesus intervened in grief, offering not just physical restoration but emotional and spiritual healing. This aligns with the sentiments expressed in Psalm 30:5, where it says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” By restoring Lazarus, Jesus fulfilled both His mission of love and compassion while revealing the joy that characters a life in Christ.
To Demonstrate the Glory of God
Another facet of this miracle is the demonstration of God’s glory. Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He told Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). The anticipation surrounding this miracle allowed the onlookers to witness God’s power first-hand, increasing their faith. The Hebrew word for “glory,” “kabod,” signifies weightiness or heaviness, suggesting that God’s glory is something substantial that carries weight in our lives. Thus, this miracle wasn’t merely an act of kindness toward Lazarus; it was also about shining a spotlight on God’s greatness through Jesus.
Jesus knew that the events surrounding Lazarus’s death and resurrection would serve as a testament to His divine nature. According to John 11:4, He states, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” The plan was intentional; in the wake of this miracle, many began to believe in Him, highlighting that witnessing God at work draws people closer to Him. The visible acts of Jesus, culminating in the raising of Lazarus, serve as precursors to His own resurrection, emphasizing God’s ultimate plan for salvation.
To Strengthen the Faith of His Followers
Raising Lazarus also had the purpose of fortifying the faith of His followers. Jesus had previously shown His power through various miracles, but resurrecting a man who had been dead for four days was a significant elevation of those acts. In John 11:43-44, when Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, the first person to be impacted was undoubtedly Martha and Mary, Lazarus’s sisters. Their faith was tested by sorrow and loss, and Jesus didn’t shy away from those emotions. Instead, He engaged with them, cried with them (John 11:35), and ultimately restored their brother.
This experience served as a powerful lesson for the disciples and the sisters alike. As Romans 10:17 states, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This miracle was a rich opportunity for those present to grasp the depth of their belief in Jesus. The Greek word “pistis,” often translated as “faith,” indicates a firm persuasion—a trust grounded in reliance on Christ’s promises. Witnessing such an unequivocal miracle not only increased the faith of those around Jesus but provided a deeper understanding of God’s love and His plan for humanity.
To Foreshadow His Own Resurrection
This miracle serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus’s own resurrection. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus would conquer the grave too. In John 11:25-26, Jesus made the connection between Lazarus’s resurrection and the eternal life He offers to all believers. By asserting that He is the resurrection and the life, Jesus established that He has authority not just over physical death but over spiritual death as well.
In this light, the event bears historical significance: it marked the turning point in Jesus’s ministry. The miracle of raising Lazarus was a clear indication that Jesus held dominion over death, and it stirred up significant attention among the religious leaders of the time. In John 11:53, we read, “So from that day on they plotted to take his life.” The enormity of this miracle incited fear among the religious elite as it posed a challenge to their authority and belief system, ultimately leading them to conspire against Jesus.
In the Greek, the term “resurrection” emphasizes a participative aspect of coming to life, symbolizing that all believers will eventually experience the same as Lazarus under the authority of Christ. This scattering of seeds of hope among the disciples was made manifest again in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, where Paul highlights that just as all die in Adam, so too will all be made alive in Christ. Just as Jesus had the power over Lazarus’s life, He holds that power today, promising eternal life to those who believe.
To Reveal His Compassion and Humanity
Finally, it’s essential to note how the act of raising Lazarus also illustrated Jesus’ compassion and humanity. In John 11:33, we find that Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” upon finding Mary and the crowd weeping. His ability to empathize with human grief shows us that Jesus fully understands our pain and suffering. The Greek word “splagchnizomai” refers to being moved with compassion, suggesting that Jesus was genuinely touched by the sorrow of those He encountered.
The raising of Lazarus was not merely a display of divine power but also a moment infused with deep emotional connection. The Jewish people had a profound understanding of grief and mourning, often expressed through public lamenting. Jesus didn’t stand apart from this; instead, He participated in it. His tears in John 11:35 are a poignant reminder that He possesses a heart that feels our weakness and sorrow. This illustrates the depth of love He has for us—He bears our struggles, transforming moments of despair into moments of divine glory.
The story of Lazarus is a blend of miraculous demonstration and tender compassion, reminding us that Christ is both all-powerful and deeply caring. As believers, we can find solace knowing that Jesus is present in our grief and sorrows, holding out hope for restoration and healing.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead reminds us of the incredible layers of purpose behind this miracle. Not only did He demonstrate His power over death, but He also revealed God’s glory and strengthened the faith of those around Him. It served as a significant foreshadowing of His resurrection while highlighting His compassion and humanity in the face of sorrow.
As we conclude, let us hold onto the message of hope and restoration that this miracle signifies. It reassures us of Jesus as the resurrection and the life, a promise that extends beyond just one miracle to each life that names Him as Lord. The story of Lazarus teaches us that God is intricately involved in our lives, bringing forth joy where there is sorrow and life where there is death.
May we walk away inspired to trust in His divine power, lean into His compassionate heart, and share the hope of life that Jesus has made possible for us all!
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4