John 11:12-23

12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 

13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 

18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 

19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 

21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 

22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

“Lord, If You Had Been Here…”

Jesus had just told the disciples that they were going to wake up Lazarus, because He was asleep. I can just see the disciples’ confused looks at each other. “Asleep? I thought he was sick.” Then the disciples made a very logical statement, “Lord, if he is only asleep, then he will get well.” When Jesus said that Lazarus was asleep, he meant that Lazarus was dead, but the disciples didn’t realize that. So Jesus spells it out for them in verse 14, plainly saying, “Lazarus is dead.” Then he says that he was glad he wasn’t there for their sakes, so that they would believe in Him. Jesus didn’t mean that he was glad that Lazarus suffered and died. He meant that he was glad he wasn’t there to heal Lazarus while he was sick, because raising him from the dead was a much more powerful miracle. The disciples had already seen Jesus heal sick people. Raising someone from the dead would make much more of an impact on their faith, and the faith of everyone present, than healing someone who was sick. It would show Jesus’ power over death, which shows His deity as the Son of God. Who but God has power over death? If there was any hint of doubt in the disciples’ minds, this miracle should have cast it out. Jesus knew the minds of His disciples, and knew that this needed to be done to deepen the roots of their belief and faith in Him. It is also a shadow of things to come, as Jesus Himself will also be resurrected after being murdered by crucifixion. Of course, Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples that he is going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He ends the conversation with, “Nevertheless, let us go to him.” Did the disciples put the pieces together at that point? Jesus said he was going to wake Lazarus up from sleep. The disciples didn’t understand His words, so He told them that Lazarus was indeed dead. I just wonder if the lightbulb came on, and they realized at that point what Jesus was planning to do. Just my thoughts….. 

In verse 16, we see Thomas make a bold statement. Remember, the disciples don’t understand Jesus’ statement in the previous verses about walking “in the day”. All they know is that Jesus is going into enemy territory. And Thomas says, “Let’s go with Him, even if we die with Him.” Thomas has been called “Doubting Thomas” all because of what happened after Jesus’ resurrection. But couldn’t the same be said of all the disciples who fled that night, and of Peter who denied Jesus? I think maybe Thomas has gotten a bad rep. In John 20:25, Thomas said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen unless he touched the prints of the nails in His hands and put his hand in His side where the spear was thrust. But maybe we have given Thomas this nickname without remembering what He said here in John 11:16. “Doubting Thomas” showed great courage and faith as he was willing to walk back into enemy territory with Jesus. 

The fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days is very important to note. The Jews considered a person truly dead with no hope on the third day. Before that, there were no physical changes in the person’s appearance. After four days, there would be signs of decomposition, bloating, discoloration, and, of course, the awful smell as gases began to enter the body. Jesus purposely waited until after that third day so that there would be no doubt in the Jews’ minds that Lazarus was resurrected. 

Since Bethany was only about two miles from Jerusalem, many Jews had come to comfort Mary and Martha in their time of grief. This was another convenience for Jesus in performing this miracle at this specific place. He knew word would get back to Jerusalem quickly, and the Pharisees, scribes, and Jewish leaders who wanted to stone Jesus would soon hear about this amazing event. 

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him while Mary remained in the house. Martha’s words in verse 21 cut like a knife. Try to imagine the grief of Martha as she spoke these words, “Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would be alive.” Let’s put ourselves in Martha’s shoes. What if this had been our child, our husband, our sibling, our parent, or our best friend? Would we not have said the same thing? These were not harsh words to Jesus, but words of faith in Jesus’ abilities. How do we know she is not angry with Jesus for not being there for her brother? We know this because of what she says in verse 22. Notice that Martha does not ask Jesus to raise her brother from the dead, yet she implies she believes He could do so if it were God’s will. She said she knew that whatever Jesus asked of God, God would do. She believed in Jesus’ connection with the Father. She still had faith in Jesus even though Jesus did not come in time to heal her brother. How many people would have been angry with Jesus? How many people today get angry and blame God when a loved one who is sick passes away? How many have said, “But I prayed for God to heal him/her. Why didn’t God answer my prayer?” We don’t understand the big picture. Only God sees the big picture, and we just have to trust Him and know that He is always working for us as His children…..no matter what happens. Just like God had a purpose behind Jesus’ delay in going to Bethany, He has a purpose for everything in our lives. Was Martha disappointed that Jesus didn’t get there in time to heal her brother? Of course she was! Any human being would be disappointed. Martha was grieving, but in her grief, she never lost her faith in Jesus. What a lesson she taught all of us in that moment when she went out to meet Jesus! She could have lashed out with her words in anger, but she didn’t. Her strength of character is amazing! Let’s never forget the courageous faith that she displayed in such a sad and trying time. Martha’s words: “Even now I know that God will do whatever you ask Him to do”. Wow. Martha was a true disciple of Jesus. 

Jesus recognizes true discipleship. He knows if we are true disciples or just fair-weather disciples. Have you heard of fair-weather friends? Those are “friends” who are with you when everything is good in your life, but when you fall on hard times, guess what? They suddenly disappear. Fair-weather disciples are people who follow Jesus when things are going well, and when it is convenient to follow Him. But when the going gets tough, they fall away and are nowhere to be seen. Then there are the people who only turn to Jesus when something bad happens, but forget about Him when everything is going well again. I guess they would be called bad-weather disciples. We have to be disciples in all kinds of weather…..from the worst of storms to the most beautiful of days. 

In verse 23, Jesus says, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha didn’t realize that Jesus meant that Lazarus would physically rise from the dead, as we will see in the next verse. She thought Jesus was just giving her some words of comfort in her time of grief. Little did she know what would happen next! Jesus was saying, “Don’t worry, Martha, I’ll take care of Your brother and My friend.” This reminds me… ALL who are in Christ have nothing to fear. Just as Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again”, He has promised us that we will rise someday and be with Him forever. 

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we must remain faithful until death or until Jesus returns, whichever comes first. (Rev. 2:10)

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!