Thoughts on the readings for April 18th (Deuteronomy 1, Proverbs 28, John 11)

While beyond Jordan Jesus is informed that his friend Lazarus is gravely ill and the messengers request that Jesus come immediately. But verse 4 says that our Lord’s response is to declare that this sickness of Lazarus is not unto death; but that Jesus might be glorified. After two days delay our Lord goes to his friends. Christ tells his disciples not to stumble; but to walk in the light, as long as the Light ie our Lord is with them. Jesus now plainly says that Lazarus is dead. This information probably raising more questions for his disciples than answers. When our Lord arrives note Martha’s unshakable conviction that Jesus is the resurrection and the life and any one believing in him would be raised up at the Last Day. Mary, however, had had her confidence in her Lord undermined by the Jewish rulers – called throughout John’s account “the Jews”. This caused Jesus to weep. The whole scenario was an out-working of the prophecy of Jeremiah 13 verses 15-17, which verses are cited three times by our Lord in John 11 verses 4-10. To show that Lazarus is one of the Lord’s sheep when our Lord’s voice of command is spoken with authority Lazarus came forth alive. Lazarus walked out in his grave clothes indicating that this was not the resurrection of the last day that Martha had spoken of. How infuriating to the authorities that Jesus had raised Lazarus. Did they respond to this miracle in belief – no? They immediately sought the death of Lazarus death and schemed Jesus’ own destruction. Caiaphas takes the lead in these matters. The Lord had predicted these events in his parable in Luke 16.