Dead Man Walking; the raising of Lazarus – 5th Sunday of Lent – Year 1- John 11: 1-45

Lazarus is dead! Jesus is late by four days but reading it I don’t seem worried. The problem with this narration lies in the fact that we know the end of the story. But imagine if you did not; imagine yourself to be Martha or Mary, disappointed that the Lord did not act in time. What’s the point of having Jesus as a friend, if He does not come to our aid when we need Him?

God’s delays are not denials. Take that in for a moment. He has a plan and a purpose. Let’s place this gospel in context. Chapter 11 is bang in the middle of John’s gospel. This is the last sign that He will perform; a foreshadowing of His own death and resurrection.

From Chapter 13, Jesus will begin His ‘farewell discourse’; a private discussion with His disciples. Until now, He has been teaching everyone in public. In John’s gospel, this sign is the turning point in the life of Jesus. The other three gospels (called synoptics), the cleansing of the temple was the reason for the Jews wanting to kill Him. But here in the gospel of John, the Jews want to kill Him because He raised Lazarus to life.

Jesus delays this trip; in a way it seems to be a bit cruel to the ones He loved dearly. After all He worked miracles for those who did not even ask for it, like the cripple. These were people He loved; so why did He delay? Was it because at the end of chapter ten we are told that the Jews wanted to stone Him? Not at all! In John 11:8, when He announces His intention to go to Bethany, His own disciples dissuade Him, for fear of the Jews.