Thursday 6 August 2026

Psalm 96

Background
Chapter 11 of John's Gospel is often summarised as 'the raising of Lazarus' but it is only now, having reached verse 43 and the fifth scene in the story that this miracle takes place. The section begins (v. 38) by reinforcing the deep emotion Jesus felt, as stated in verses 33-35. It drives him to ask for the tomb to be unsealed. Martha declares her reluctance in terms of the length of time the body has already been there, starting to decompose; she is obviously not eagerly anticipating a miracle. But her words therefore effectively emphasise the magnitude of what does in fact take place.

Strictly speaking, the words Jesus then addresses to Martha in verse 40 do not call to mind anything he has spoken to her; it was the disciples who had been told in verse 4 that God’s glory would be revealed to them. The inconsistency of the narrative suggests that John is really addressing the challenge here to his readers rather than primarily to Martha or the disciples.

Once the stone has been removed, the anticipated miracle is further delayed by Jesus’ prayer, which is effectively a thanksgiving in advance for what is about to happen and not a request that Lazarus will be restored to life. Indeed Jesus explains that his reason for praying is not to persuade God to act but rather to convince the crowd of his unity with God, his Father, applying the truth he had declared in John 5:19-20.

Jesus’s loud cry, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43) calls to mind both the promise of 5:28-29 and the way Jesus knows us as individuals (10:3). A second instruction from Jesus is required for Lazarus to be freed from his graveclothes; one suggestion for this is by way of making a contrast with John 20:6-7 where Jesus himself when resurrected will leave the graveclothes lying where they were. Unlike Jesus, Lazarus is not resurrected but rather restored to earthly human life, presumably to die normally in due course.

To Ponder:

• When you are feeling negative emotions, do you tend to hide yourself away with it, or let it prompt you to positive action as Jesus does here?
• Have you tried offering a prayer of thanks for something you want to happen before it does, rather than waiting till afterwards? Did it make a difference?
• On three gospel occasions Jesus brought the dead back to life (see Mark 5:35-43 and Luke 7:11-17). Should we ever expect him to do so in our own day?

Prayer
Hold before God those you know who have been recently bereaved, and any who are close to death, along with their loved ones. Pray that they may know the reality of eternal life. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale
Stephen is a retired Methodist minister living near Exeter. He served in West Africa and Scotland and was a New Testament tutor at Cliff College.