Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44)

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across the entrance.  "Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them.  But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days.  The smell will be terrible."

Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"

So they rolled the stone aside.  Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me.  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.  Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth, Jesus told them, "Unwrap and let him go!"

Why was Jesus angry?  How could he be angry?  Can it be right to be angry?  Yes, it is called 'righteous' anger, anger that is about what is holy and being violated.  There was much unbelief as the day approached for Jesus to perform this miracle and how would he do it?

Jesus repeatedly told them that Lazarus was asleep and that meant dead but that he would be raised from the dead (John 11:23)

Repeatedly, they would respond like we do sometimes by a "yes but..." like Martha in verse 24 said: "Yes, he will rise when everyone else's rises, at the last day."

Somehow, it was easier for Martha to believe in the Resurrection in a distant future than an immediate event.

Jesus meant , now! Yes, it could have happen then but Jesus is One you have to believe also for NOW! He is always ready for the NOW to happen for you.  Hope is not just for the future, it is also for the NOW.  You either believe or die but in order to live you have to believe that what God has is not just for you in the future but it's also for you in the NOW.

Lazarus was to be living today and so are you because if you are not in Christ and believing him to be the Son of God you are dead spiritually and Christ can raise you up TODAY as he did Lazarus.

There is no waiting list to be on which is a good thing.  He is not overwhelmed by the demand for salvation he can do it NOW for you.

Some would question Jesus about the glory he would receive from this miracle.  He received glory in that many believed (verse 45) but in verse 46 some wanted to kill him...and that is what miracles do!

They affect by the glory in them different people in different ways.

Some end up believing in Jesus and some persecute him.

The glory of God is a powerful element able to divide people into goats and sheep.  We should not be surprised then in time of revival when people are divided among themselves because, it's the glory and that's what it does.

Have a wonderful day!