SUMMARY
The raising of Lazarus is the last sign reported in the Gospel of John and is the incentive for the authorities wanting to arrest JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More.
ANALYSIS
As the last sign before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the raising of Lazarus marks a pivotal point in the Gospel. The verses leading up to the raising of Lazarus center around Jesus’ own reactions and the meaning of the resurrection itself. The focus of the story is not so much on the moment when Lazarus comes out of the tomb but on the emotions displayed over Lazarus’ death and the dialogue especially between Jesus and MarthaThe sister of Mary and Lazarus. More. 11:35, “Jesus began to weep” (NRSVUE) is known by many as the shortest verse in the Bible. It is no wonder that Jesus weeps because Lazarus is a good friend. But Jesus also weeps because the death of Lazarus foreshadows his own death. Jesus himself has to die as the incarnate Word. The dialogue leading up to the raising of Lazarus is important because this last sign has the potential to be misunderstood. Like John 5 and John 6, Jesus interprets the sign but here, before it happens. Jesus needs everyone to realize something different about the promise of the resurrection, that indeed there is a promised future resurrection, but that abundant life is also here and now with Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This is a central theme of the Gospel of John, that our future life with Jesus and God is actually known to us here and now in our relationship with the Father and the Son.
