The two following chapters present to us Jesus—first, as Son of God, in the raising of Lazarus; then as Son of David, when He enters on the ass into Jerusalem; and thirdly, as Son of Man, when the Greeks are in His presence. The beauty of these two chapters consists in this, that God would not allow His Son to be rejected by men without rendering a testimony to His triple glory.
Jesus never took one step without having as His motive the will of God. Those who knew how Jesus loved this family would have thought how quickly He would have gone to their house; but Jesus checked His affection in order to wait for the will of God; He allows the sick man to die in order to be able to show the power of resurrection. The delay of Jesus would seem to man as if His heart was hard, and many a time is this the case with us in this world when we do not see a speedy deliverance from our trials. But Jesus was so sensitive that we see Him weeping at the sepulcher. As soon as the will of God is manifested, then He does not hesitate to say, “Let us go into Judaea.” If at the first affection does not make Him move, as soon as He clearly sees the will of God, He likewise sees the moment for His moving. He who walks by day does not stumble, because He is guided by light divine.
At ver. 11 is the first time we find death called sleep, because, in fact, the death of the believer is like sleep, though the soul will be better, much better than in sleep, since it goes into the presence of the Lord to enjoy Him. Thomas’ testimony is very beautiful in this instance; it shows his affection for Jesus-ready to die with Him. Chapter 20 of this Gospel by itself alone would have led us to believe that Thomas was very weak in faith, but here the Holy Spirit bears witness to his faith. See also the case of Barnabas and Mark (Acts 15:37-3937And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (Acts 15:37‑39); Col. 4:9, 109With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (Colossians 4:9‑10); 2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)). The raising of Lazarus is the grandest proof of the power of Jesus; it was the most remarkable miracle, because done in the neighborhood of Jerusalem and known to all. Accordingly, in ver. 28 of chap. 12, God has been glorified in this resurrection, and He must be still more so in the resurrection of Jesus Himself. The name of the Father has been glorified in the resurrection of Lazarus on this earth (Lazarus having only had a mortal body), and by the resurrection of Jesus: those who are thus raised will have a spiritual and incorruptible body. During His lifetime He had cured men of sicknesses and infirmities, but here He treats no longer of lengthening their life, but of raising them. His very dearest friends, as Martha and Mary tell Him, believed He could have cured him while he was still in life; but they did not think He had power against the frightful force of death. Martha says, “I know, that even now, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, he will give it thee;” she believed that God would always hear Him, but she did not know that the resurrection and the life were in Jesus Himself. The resurrection comes expressly before the life, because man, being dead, he needs first to be raised before giving him life.
This scene is very solemn; the burden and anguish of death pressed on all hearts, as also upon Mary’s; and, therefore, we see Jesus Himself here entering in His heart into this terrible anguish of death. He groans in spirit and is troubled, and then weeps. He feels more deeply than any of them the grief and pressure of death; not yet for Himself, but for others. This is more than sympathy. Every time He cured an infirmity and disease, He first felt all the anguish of it-as it is written, “ Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” He became a Man, in order to enter in His death into death, and that, too, really. It is worthy of note that Mary does not go at once to Jesus; she remains quiet till she is called. So here we see in Martha more impatience and more carnal activity than in Mary. The disciples, as the Jews, firmly believed in the resurrection; but it was a mere doctrine, which brought them no consolation, as so many Christians do now-a-days—that is, they believe in a general resurrection at the end. But the power of resurrection and of life is in Jesus, and he that believes in Him may not die, and he that believes and dies He will raise again.
The same sensitive and pitiful heart that Jesus then had He has always, even now in heaven; otherwise, how could He intercede for us? Down here He passed through the experience of our weakness; He passed through infirmities, and He is now in heaven as Man, with the experience acquired on earth (Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:1517Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17‑18)
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)). The question Jesus puts to Martha, “Believest thou?” means whether Martha believed that in Him, now, there was the power of resurrection and of life. But Martha could not long sustain a conversation on such subjects with Jesus; and she goes to call her sister, thinking that she would better understand Him, as being more familiar with the words of the Lord. But Mary, so modest as not to go to Jesus when not called, is now ready to go to Him when He calls her. She is humble, and when one is humble, one learns much. Mary throws herself at the feet of Jesus, and the Lord answers her differently from the way in which He had done with Martha. The heart of Jesus responds to Mary’s heart.
Jesus is moved in the midst of all the scene. He was really Man, and He had really the heart of man! He does not grieve at having lost Lazarus; since, as regards this, He should rather have rejoiced, because that He knew He was there to raise him again, but He weeps, as we have said, because of the power that death had over the hearts of all. And death is the effect and wages of sin. The expression of Martha’s unbelief, when she says, “He stinketh already,” brought out more clearly the state of Lazarus’ death and the power of resurrection. Let us remark, in this case, how the Lord first gives thanks at having received the grace, because His confidence in God was perfect; and so it ought to be with us likewise, as it is said (Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)), “By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” The petition of the Lord shows that He always occupied the place of servant, and therefore of dependence on His Father. The petition of the Lord was within, made from His heart to God; but when He raised Lazarus He cried with a loud voice, so that all might hear Him. Such is always the effect of prayer-the world does not hear it, but it sees the effect of it. As when Elias stopped the rain and then made it rain, there is nothing in the historical account said that this miracle was the effect of prayer; but this is distinctly revealed to us by the Apostle James. (Compare James 5:17, 1817Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:17‑18), with 1 Kings 17:1; 18:421And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1)
42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, (1 Kings 18:42)). Brethren, let us cultivate prayer, let us watch unto it earnestly, and if we neglect it, we do not know what we lose thereby. The Apostles put prayer before preaching even. There is a special power attached to prayer.