Scripture:
1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of lMary and her sister Martha. 2 mIt was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, nhe whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, o“This illness does not lead to death. It is for pthe glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now qJesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus1 was ill, rhe stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, s“Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, t“Rabbi, uthe Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, v“Are there not twelve hours in the day? wIf anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But xif anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not xin him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus yhas fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 zSo Thomas, called the Twin,2 said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, athat we may die with him.”
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb bfour days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles3 off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary cto console them concerning their brother. 20 dSo when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to eJesus, “Lord, fif you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, gGod will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 hMartha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in ithe resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, j“I am the resurrection and kthe life.4 Whoever believes in me, lthough he die, myet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me nshall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; oI believe that pyou are the Christ, the Son of God, qwho is coming into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, r“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews swho were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, t“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he uwas deeply moved5 in his spirit and vgreatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 wJesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See xhow he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he ywho opened the eyes of the blind man zalso have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, adeeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was ba cave, and ca stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for dhe has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, e“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see fthe glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus glifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 hI knew that you always hear me, but I said this ion account of the people standing around, jthat they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 kThe man who had died came out, lhis hands and feet bound with linen strips, and mhis face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
45 nMany of the Jews therefore, owho had come with Mary and phad seen what he did, believed in him,
John 11:1-45 (ESV)
Background:
John 11 recounts the powerful story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This event occurs just before Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, where He would soon lay down His own life. Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, send word to Jesus, hoping He will come quickly to heal their brother. However, Jesus delays His arrival, allowing Lazarus to die. When Jesus finally arrives, He declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). This miraculous sign not only demonstrates Jesus’ power over death but foreshadows His own resurrection, pointing us to the ultimate victory we celebrate at Easter.
Devotional:
Death is one of life’s greatest fears. When Lazarus died, his family was devastated, questioning why Jesus had not come sooner. Yet, in their grief, Jesus did not simply offer words of comfort—He revealed His identity as the source of life itself. He did not just claim power over death; He proved it by raising Lazarus from the grave.
As we journey toward Easter, this passage reminds us that Jesus is not only the One who resurrects but also the One who brings hope in the midst of loss. Just as He called Lazarus out of the tomb, He calls us out of spiritual death into new life with Him. No matter what we face—grief, doubt, or despair—Jesus’ resurrection power is still at work, transforming lives and assuring us that death is not the end. Easter is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, where Jesus conquered death for all who believe.
Reflection:
- How does Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death shape your understanding of God’s timing?
- What does it mean for you personally that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life”?
- In what areas of your life do you need to trust Jesus’ power over fear, doubt, or loss?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Help me to trust Your timing, even when I do not understand it. Strengthen my faith in Your power over every struggle I face. As I prepare my heart for Easter, remind me of the victory I have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application:
Reflect on an area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. Surrender it to Him in prayer, believing in His power to bring life and restoration. Encourage someone today who may be struggling with loss or hopelessness by sharing the hope of resurrection in Christ.
Takeaway:
Jesus’ power over death gives us hope and assurance that in Him, life is victorious. As we approach Easter, may we remember that He is the resurrection and the life—our hope now and forever.
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