“These verses are among the most difficult to understand in the Gospel. This scene is best seen through lens of Jesus and “The Jews” now, instead of Jesus and the sisters. Life in Jesus happens here among the brokenness, failings, and limitations of the physical world.” Wilda Gafney, A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, year W. Martha and Mary both tell Jesus, “my brother would never have died.” “The same “never” is included by Jesus in his response, ‘Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’. Mary falls at his feet, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She believes “you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.” She believes in “resurrection on the last day.” She believes Jesus could have healed Lazarus. He came from Bethany at Jordan to Bethany near Jerusalem, this is not a distant journey, less than 20 miles - one day’s journey. “ is significant because of the Jewish belief that the soul lingers near the body for three days until the soul leaves the body for good.” Ashley Wilcox, The Women’s Lectionary, p.87. Lazarus had been dead four days (but Jesus waited two) Thomas (Didymus) rallies the other disciples “Let’s go too so that we may die with Jesus.” Everything happens “For the glory of the Lord,” or “so that you will believe and have life.” In fact, “For the glory of the Lord” is a good lens through which to read the entire gospel of John. The whole gospel was written “so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ… and that believing, you will have life in his name.” Word Opposition is an important addition - makes the controversy a particular dispute, not a generality to be harbored across time Warn against going to Judea because the “Jewish Opposition” In Mark it takes place at Simon’s the leper’s house, and is the last thing before the Passover meal. In Matthew, this scene takes place immediately before the Passover meal, and is only tacitly connected to Judas. The anointing takes place immediately before Jesus enters Jerusalem. In John, Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet comes in the next chapter, and it is tied directly to Judas’s betrayal.
John is only gospel that names the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, thus making it less likely historically to be the same person. Probably not Mary Magdalene, or she would have been called by name.Īt the cross in John 19:25 “Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.” Is this Mary the wife of Clopas? Robb’s Blog: Lazarus was a Miracle and a Motive.ġ0:40 “Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had baptized at first, and he stayed there” This was the “Jordan at Bethany” This act made them realize just how dangerous Jesus is. In the Gospel of John, the raising of Lazarus is the moment when the leaders decided that they needed to kill Jesus (it is better for one to die than the whole nation). From that day, they began to plot Jesus’ death.This is another typical monster passage with a lot to cover, and I may argue it is stopped too soon.Ĥ6-53 is an important part of the story. Others, however, went to the Pharisees and reported what Jesus had done. Many were converted that day, seeing proof that Jesus had power over death. A few friends rushed forward to undo the bandages, freeing the once dead Lazarus. “Unbind him and let him go,” Jesus said calmly to the awestruck group. Soon, in the door appeared Lazarus, struggling to come forward with his body wrapped in burial linens, his face covered with a cloth. Then they heard the muffled shuffling of feet. Those with Him waited a few moments in eager anticipation. Then He looked at the tomb and spoke with a loud commanding voice. You have always heard me, and now these people will witness that You have sent me,” He prayed. “Father, I am grateful that you have heard me.
They took away the stone to open up the doorway to the tomb. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” He asked. “But Lord,” said Martha, Lazarus’ sister, “he has been dead for four days. “Move the stone,” said Jesus to the group. There was a large stone covering the door. In Bethany, the sisters Mary and Martha, along with a procession of their friends, led Jesus to the tomb where they had laid Lazarus’ body. Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
0 kommentar(er)
