The Resurrection – Proof of Life Beyond the Grave

By: Edward Cortez

 

The story of Lazarus was recorded by the gospel of John in chapter 11. The narrative began with Lazarus being sick that ultimately led to his death. He was a beloved friend of Jesus along with his sisters, Mary and Martha. There was special bond that existed between Jesus and this family. John 11:5 says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus…”

The first few questions that leap out of the story are: If Jesus loved Lazarus so much, why did he permit him to get sick? Why did he delay in going to the sisters to heal his friend? Jesus stayed two more days 20 miles from where he was after receiving the report. Could he not have healed him at a distance? Certainly, he could. But he chose not to. He gave the reason why: “for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).

An insightful commentary was given by a noted Bible scholar, Warren Wiersbe: “God’s love for His own is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love. The fact that He loves us, and we love Him is no guarantee that we will be sheltered from the problems and pains of life. We must never think that love and suffering are incompatible.”

An example of this is despite the great love the Father has toward his Son, Jesus, the Father allowed his Son to experience the pain and the shame of the cross. His suffering and death brought good to humanity in that it freed those who would believe in him from sin and death. There are several reasons why we are allowed to suffer – among these are to grow and mature our faith in the Lord, to bring us closer to God, and fulfill his purposes in our lives and others. All these to bring glory and honor to him through our faith, healing, and deliverance with gratitude, worship, and wonder.

When Jesus met the grieving sisters, John noted that, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This shows Jesus’ humanity and his compassion toward those who are grieving. He weeps with us when we are sorrowful and brokenhearted. The Bible says that Jesus is “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

Amid protests that Lazarus had already been dead for four days, He ordered that the stone be rolled away and then with a loud voice he cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43). Out came Lazarus bound hand and foot. He then gave the second command, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” As a result of this miracle, many believed in Jesus as the Son of God. It also demonstrated his power over death and life and proved his deity.

The key verse for me in this story is in John 11:25, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” Jesus clearly stated that there is life beyond the grave. The person who will believe and entrust his life to him will have eternal life and shouldn’t fear death. Proof of this is Jesus, himself, rose from the dead and thus conquered death forever. Because Jesus lives, we too shall live!