Don't Panic—Resurrection is Here
4/17/25 Bible Thought (John 11)
Emergencies often cause people to get a little frantic. Some who would never break the speed limit might drive erratically in order to get to the hospital in time. Or, at least, we’re all familiar with the fact that an ambulance is allowed to break the rules. When the lights go on, red lights, stop signs, and speed limits can all be ignored. It’s an emergency.
Not so with Jesus. In fact, we never see a picture of Jesus in desperation or in a hurry. In John 11, when He hears of the illness of a friend, He delays. Now, Jesus knew what was going to happen. At the outset He tells the messenger that the illness won’t lead to death but the glory of God and glorification of the Son (Jn. 11:4).
Yet, we know that the illness did lead to death. At least, temporarily. When Jesus hears the bad news, He isn’t even in the area, and yet He still waits an additional two days (Jn. 11:6) before He seems to casually embark on His journey to the small town of Bethany.
No emergency. No lights. No speeding. No rush. Rather, quite the opposite—Jesus takes His time until finally Lazarus dies.
Upon arrival, both sisters hit Jesus with the same line, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn. 11:21,32). Yet, Martha maintains faith, concluding, “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (Jn. 11:22).
Jesus assures her that Lazarus will rise again, but He was not just referring to the end of time at the grand resurrection. For Jesus proclaims,
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (Jn. 11:25-26a).
The hope of future resurrection resided in the power and person of Jesus. Likewise, the hope of eternal life comes from Him alone. There is no life, no resurrection, no hope apart from Him. D.A. Carson helpfully comments,
“Jesus’ concern is to divert Martha’s focus from an abstract belief in what takes place on the last day, to a personalized belief in him who alone can provide it.”[1]
Resurrection isn’t just an event. Resurrection isn’t just a date on the calendar. Resurrection isn’t just a hope. Resurrection is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ.
While resurrection was to take place at the end of time, Jesus determines to give a preview as a manifestation of the Father’s glory and for Himself to be glorified and believed in. He calls for Lazarus by name, and even the dead obeys His voice. Lazarus comes out bound up with grave cloths alive, well, and no longer sick (Jn. 11:43-44).
Jesus raised Lazarus to prove that He Himself is the fount of resurrection and life. He delays for four days to remove all doubts that Lazarus had died. So much so that Martha is concerned about the odor of a decaying body when they move the stone away (Jn. 11:39). There was absolutely no doubt that Lazarus was a goner. Sickness had had the last word.
Until Jesus came.
Jesus proves once again that there is nothing too hard for Him and that He alone is our source of hope. Sometimes it takes the darkest nights for the light to shine brightest.
But with Jesus there is always hope. He proved it again with His own resurrection, and He will prove it again on the day when He descends from heaven and all of us are raised to new life again!
[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 412.
May we be still and know He is God. 🙏