John – Chapter 11:24-44
v. 24-26 “I know that he will rise again” – Martha is only able to see the great future resurrection. She has been consoled by this knowledge since Lazarus’ death. And once again, Jesus does His characteristic turn, now pointing to Himself with another “I am” statement (e.g. 4:10, 14; 6:33, 48, 53ff; 8:12; etc.) He twice states the truth using a paradox. v.25b refers to natural death and eternal life. v.25c refers to natural human existence, “life,” and never die is again eternal life that natural death cannot prevent. He is offering different viewpoints. The deceased believer will live and the one who lives by faith will never die. The believer, whether dead or alive, already participates in the resurrection and life that Jesus gives. This whole chapter is echoing the statement in 5:25, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” Resurrection is not only a matter of “the last day” but of now, listening in faith to the Son of God. v. 27-31 “Yes, Lord, I [continue to] believe” – Martha does not respond to what Jesus says but rather echoes the confession of Nathaniel (1:49) and the faith of the Christian church (20:30-31). She believes Him even though she does not yet understand what He means by “I am.” She simply follows Jesus’ instruction and gathers Mary to Jesus. Notice that now “the Jews” are on the sidelines and Jesus is interacting with His friends. v. 32-37 “Lord, if you had been here!” – Martha’s words from v.21 are repeated now by Mary in v. 32. There are incredible descriptions of emotion from both Mary and Jesus through this section. There is “weeping” and “deeply moved” and “love.” Some argue that Jesus is weeping over the still unbelief of his friends. But clearly by v. 34 and v. 38, Jesus’ focus is over the death of His friend. As Calvin said, “the violent tyranny of death that He had to overcome stands before His eyes.” And He stands in solidarity with those who grieve over the loss of their brother and friend! He comes to resurrect the dead. This is not imaginary grief or does He make grief over death imaginary. Yet the question, “Could not this Man…?” shows…