We’ve reached chapter 11 in our reading through John’s gospel. This passage includes the story of Lazarus’s death and rising from the dead, Jesus’ seventh miracle as recorded by John.
Lazarus was from the same village as his sisters, Mary and Martha. John identifies Mary by her devotion shown to Jesus in previous actions. The sisters knew Jesus cared deeply for their brother.
John set the stage for the miracle by twice noting Lazarus was sick.
We have trouble understanding Jesus’ thoughts and actions in verses 5 and 6. As we read these verses, we might have the impression that because Jesus loved Lazarus, he stayed away two more days. This makes no sense to us.
Jesus’ decision to remain two more days before going to Lazarus made no sense to the disciples, for a different reason. They feared for his safety from the Jews in Judea.
*Why do you think Jesus decided to stay away two more days?
Jesus plainly told his disciples he would raise Lazarus. He also said he was glad to have this opportunity to help the disciples grow in their faith.
Thomas believed, along with the other disciples, that Jesus surely would face death himself at the hands of the Jews. This disciple vowed to stand with Jesus, whatever might come when they arrived.
*Would we be willing to walk with Jesus into expected persecution, as the disciples did?
Jesus comforted the sisters with gentle teaching. He said those who believed in him would receive eternal life. Martha confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Mary went to Jesus and grieved Lazarus’s death.
Here in John’s gospel with light as a theme running throughout, we observe a dark moment in Jesus’ earthly life. His response to his friend’s death: Jesus wept. He expressed genuine sorrow at Lazarus’s death. Did Jesus weep also at his friends’ sorrow? For death in this world? We have only observers’ commentary. We don’t know how many close friends Jesus had, or where Lazarus fit within his circle of friends.
*What is your response to Jesus’ dark moment in this scene?
Another theme in John’s gospel is faith. Mary and Martha expressed faith in Jesus’ ability to heal. As fully God, Jesus’ ability to heal went far beyond anything they could ask or imagine.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory … for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
*How have you experienced Jesus’ ability to heal in ways beyond what we expect and imagine? (not necessarily physical)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, foreshadowing his own resurrection. Perhaps in the upper room after his resurrection he wondered why the disciples didn’t remember the scene with Lazarus and Jesus announcing his victory over death: 
“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?” (John 11:25-26).
*We clearly see another theme in John: what will we do with Jesus?
This scene clearly showed his authority over death.
“On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; … The Lord has spoken (Isaiah 25:7-8).
“‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57).
Here we observe the full range of Jesus’ humanity and his deity, with his sorrow at his friend’s death, and his knowledge of what the Father enabled him to do. In previous word study, we’ve learned “miracle” can refer to the seven miracles John recorded that were proof of Jesus’ divine mission and what the Father sent him to do.
*Clearly, people still die today. How then do we have victory over death?