We have seen how Jesus had declared that Lazarus’
sickness and death was so that the Son of God could be glorified through it. He
also declared His intention to return to Judea to test the resolve of His disciples.
Jesus also gave them the assurance that nothing could happen to Him unless it
was God’s ordained moment. In all these we catch a glimpse of His humility, dependence
and obedience to the Father.
Now in verse 11, Jesus announced the death of Lazarus.
He used the figure of sleep to refer to his death. In the New Testament, using the
word sleep to refer to death is only used for the Lord’s people. We know that
when using sleep to refer to death takes away fear. This term sleep also suggests
that the person who sleeps will wake up again. In a very unusual and mysterious
way, sleep also prepares one for the tasks and assignments ahead. In telling
them that He was going to wake him, Jesus was speaking about raising Lazarus
from death. However, we see how the disciples had totally misunderstood Him. They
must be wondering why He made such a great deal about sleep. All it needed was
to arouse him from his sleep. In fact they thought Jesus was saying that
Lazarus was recovering from his illness. They failed to perceive what He was
saying. Then the Lord said plainly to them, “Lazarus is dead.” As He made this
fact known, He had also indicated His intention to raise Him from death.
One side thought here. Jesus addressed Lazarus as
a friend. What a privilege! Like what He was to Lazarus, Jesus is not only our
Lord, He is also our friend. This term tells us that we can have a unique and
intimate relationship with Him. Though we would often like to refer to
ourselves as His servants, but He sees us as friends. And as His friends He
will share His heart with us and He will do what is in the best interest of our
lives.
In verse 15, Jesus said He was glad for the sake
of the disciples that they were not in Bethany at the time when they received
the news of Lazarus sickness. The reason is obvious: so that the death of
Lazarus could result in the greater glory of God. It was also good that the Lord
was not there at the reception of the news of Lazarus’ sickness. Then the
people who were there would not be robbed of the greater blessing and be
strengthened in their faith. In all this interaction between Jesus and His disciples,
we get the idea that death cannot be an experience in the presence of God. Isn’t
this true, when we are present with Christ, death do not have a chance to exert
its full effect. In fact Christ came to remove death and the fear it brings.
It is amazing to see how Thomas responded. He had
totally missed the picture. Jesus was talking about life and he was thinking
about death. It was good to note that he had the sense to say what he said only
to the disciples and not the Lord. Like Thomas, our natural mind, when not calibrated
with the Lord’s, would cause us to gravitate toward the negative. We must learn
to be in sync with the mind of Jesus. No wonder Paul counselled us in the
letter to the Colossians to set our minds on things above where Christ is
seated.
However, we see something positive out of Thomas’
negative statement. He was so attached to Christ that He said, “Let us also go, so that we may die with
Him.” Much as we would
dismiss Thomas’ often rash outbursts, we must admire His attachment to Christ.
Here he shows us that he was deeply attached to the person of the Lord Jesus. What about us? What is
the depth of our personal commitment to Jesus? As His disciples, are we
prepared to die with Him that many may live in Him? Dare we say like Thomas, “Let
us also go, that we may die with him”?
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