Do you think Lazarus knew he would die? Or then be raised from the dead by Jesus? Do you think Jesus told Lazarus what was about to happen, how his death and resurrection would not only foreshadow Jesus’ own death and resurrection, but initiate the sequence of events to bring about Jesus murder on the cross?
When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent for Jesus. The family clearly believed Jesus was able to heal Lazarus, and asked for his help, but Jesus’ reply was, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of Man may be glorified through it.”
Jesus claimed Lazarus’ illness, death, and resurrection were part of the plan to reveal the Son of Man as the Son of God, and to glorify God. The fame of raising Lazarus from the dead after four days in a tomb was the final display of power, and insult, before the scribes and Pharisees took definitive action to charge, to convict, and to murder Jesus. It was a necessary step in the revelation of Jesus’ true identity, and the rejection of that truth by Israel’s religious leaders. Martha even told Jesus before he raised Lazarus, “Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
How much did Lazarus know in advance? Does it really matter? How much do we know in advance? Does it affect how we choose to live our own lives? Let’s hope so. Food for thought.
Grace & Peace, Charles.