John 10

John 10:22-11

The Sixth Miracle (Perseverance) (Jesus Testifies that He is the Source of Man’s Future Hope of the Resurrection) - John 10:22 to John 11-57 records the sixth miracle of Jesus Christ that was used to bear witness of His deity, which was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This miracle is unique to John’s Gospel, not being recorded in the Synoptics. During the Feast of Dedication, emphasis is placed upon the perseverance of our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. For example, this section in John’s Gospel opens with the Jews saying to Jesus, “How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24). Thus, the Jews were not willing to endure Jesus’ season of ministry as He repeatedly worked miracles and used those opportunities to declare Himself as the Son of God.

In contrast, Martha makes a statement that reflects true, persevering faith, saying to Jesus, “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (John 11:21-22) Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and declares Himself as the “Resurrection and the Life” for all mankind (John 11:25), revealing man’s need to persevere until his how glorification at his resurrection in his redemptive journey (John 10:22 to John 11:54). This section in John’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ testimony of His deity based upon His works and miracles (John 10:22-38). After the transition passage typical of each section in which Jesus withdraws Himself (John 10:39-42), He performs the sixth miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-27). John usually records Jesus’ testimony of His deity in relation to a miracle after performing this work. However, in this passage Jesus testifies of His deity as the Resurrection and the Life immediately before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-27).

He then performs this miracle (John 11:28-44). This miracle testifies of the part of our spiritual journey called perseverance. In this story of the raising of Lazarus we see Mary and Martha anxiously awaiting the return of Jesus Christ to their home so that their brother would not die. Jesus deliberately delayed His coming after hearing the news of this sickness so that He could perform this particular miracle of the resurrection of the dead so that they might believe in Him. Jesus waited until Lazarus had died so that He could testify that He Himself is the Resurrection and the Life. We, too, anxiously await the return of our Lord and Saviour, who will resurrect those who are dead in Christ and change our mortal bodies into immortality. It is through Christ we, too, will partake of our resurrection and eternal glorification.

This miracle of the resurrection reflects the believer’s future hope of glorification with the Father in Heaven. Our response to this sixth miracle is to place our hope in a future resurrection and eternal life as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ. If we believe in Jesus as the Son of God, we will put our hope in Him for our future resurrection and eternal glorification with Him in Heaven. Outline - Here is a suggested outline:

1. Jesus Testifies of His Deity (His Works) — John 10:22-422. The Sixth Miracle (Testimony of Lazarus) — John 11:1-54a. Jesus Testifies of His Deity (Resurrection & Life) — John 11:1-27b. The Raising of Lazarus — John 11:28-44c. The Plot to Kill Jesus — John 11:45-54 This Miracle Led to Jesus’ Arrest and Crucifixion - Because the raising of Lazarus was performed in Bethany, which was close to Jerusalem, and because the news of this miracle spread rapidly among the people, the city of Jerusalem was stirred.

They would soon receive Him in His Triumphant Entry as a “king,” but the Jewish leaders decide that this miracle is too much for them to bear because of the large amount of people who believed in Him as a result. They then intensified their efforts to put Him to death and found justification for themselves for fear of the Romans (John 11:45-54). At this point, they began to organize his arrest. Thus, this miracle precipitated the death of Jesus. Comparison of Martha and Mary – The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead contrasts the reactions of Martha and Mary as they met Jesus. While Martha went out and met Him (John 11:20), Mary saw Him and fell down at his feet (John 11:32). It was Mary who first came to Jesus as a sinner and anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair (Luke 7:36-50). Therefore, she seems to respond to Jesus with deeper emotion because she was forgiven of much sin. Also, both said the same thing to Jesus, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (John 11:21; John 11:32)