John 11:42 –
“You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”
Raising Lazarus from the dead is the last miracle Jesus did that John describes in this book. The remained of the book is focused on his last days on earth. When looking at what Jesus was going into I often wonder if I would have gone. He was going back into Judea where just days ago they were trying to kill Him. No matter how great the need, would you go back?
Now Mary and her sister Martha called for Jesus to heal their brother, yet Jesus delayed coming. That must have infuriated the people who were sent to get Him, especially when Lazarus died. They made excuses for Jesus since it was dangerous to return to Judea, yet all along Jesus wanted this to be really big. He knew His time on this earth was short and wanted to ensure the people knew who He was.
When He finally arrived, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Martha even mentions the stench when Jesus asked to roll away the stone. Then we get to Jesus’ prayer for Lazarus to return to life. Jesus does not say something elaborate, just asking God to listen and for Lazarus to rise. Interesting that Jesus wanted to ensure that the people understood the relationship He had with God, so He spoke so everyone could hear His prayer. Notice also, Jesus did this at a time when many were in town to mourn his death. This would ensure there was no question on the miracle and that it would be noticed.
The chapter ends after Jesus raising Lazarus, with Caiaphas plotting Jesus’ death. Interestingly he was able to quickly turn the masses against Jesus even after witnessing this miracle. That is one thing that surprises me in this story is how quickly it turns from Jesus proving His connection with God, to them crucifying Him. I think Jesus was not only telling Lazarus to rise, but everyone reading this story. We need to rise up from our issues and addictions to stand for Jesus.