Why Jesus Raised Lazarus From The Dead by Myra Kahn Adams for Town Hall
Today we study Jesus’s most famous and dramatic miracle that triggered a series of events leading to his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
The miracle — found only in the Gospel of John — chronicles the two reasons why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and is shown below in bold.
First, Jesus hears the news about his close friend: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus responds: “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:1-4).
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The second reason is what Jesus wants you to know after he performs the miracle: “so that you may believe.”
According to Scripture, here are the events orchestrated by Jesus for God’s glory and belief in Him a few weeks before His death and Resurrection.
After Jesus receives word about Lazarus’s condition, he surprises his disciples by not leaving immediately for Bethany. Instead, Jesus waits two days and then tells them: “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him” (John 11:14-15).
By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead in his tomb for four days. Lazarus’ sister Martha, a close friend of Jesus, is first to greet him. The exchange between Martha and Jesus ranks high on the Gospel’s list of most truthful, significant, and revealing conversations:
“‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’
“Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’
“Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’
