This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

The story of Lazarus can be hard to hear.

Jesus says that his friend is sick.

But instead of rushing to his friend’s side,
Jesus intentionally waits until Lazarus dies.

John tells us this is
because he loved Lazarus.

And Jesus says that Lazarus’ sickness and
death will glorify him and make many believe.

But Lazarus’ family is unsure.

Three different times they
question Jesus’ motives.

And by the time Jesus arrives
at the tomb, he’s weeping—

but he knew from the beginning
that he was going to raise Lazarus.

That means Jesus’ tears
can’t be for his friend.

John also tells us that Jesus is “deeply moved,”
or another translation would be “furious”.

Jesus walks up to Lazarus’ tomb, eyes
red with tears and cheeks flushed in anger.

Why?

Because this miracle isn’t just about
raising Lazarus from the dead,

it’s about Jesus being
raised from the dead too.

Jesus knows that everyone
he loves will inevitably die.

He weeps and is angry that the
world he created and the people

he intricately formed in their mother’s
womb will never escape sin’s victory.

The world he created without suffering, evil,
and sickness has claimed the lives of every person.

So, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

In response to Jesus’ most important
miracle, almost no one believes.

John 12 describes groups of people
who are confronted with Jesus’ signs

but refuse to follow the
signs to their conclusion.

So hard-hearted is the disbelief of Israel
that the Pharisees conspire to kill Jesus.

They reason that it’s better that one person dies
than a whole nation suffer under the wrath of Rome.

As the Pharisees plot against Jesus, they
don’t realize that the Holy Spirit is working

through their schemes to
pave the way for God’s plan.

Jesus would be the only person to die, but
not under Rome’s wrath. Instead, it would be
under God’s just anger at sin and death.

Not only would Jesus die for the
people of Israel but for all people.

Jesus' coming death is not a victory for the
religious elite hoping to keep the status quo.

Instead, it’s the enthronement of
Jesus above all powers, even death.

Mary understood this.

Twice we’re told that Mary breaks open her most
expensive perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet for burial.

She believed, as Jesus hoped, that Lazarus’
death and resurrection pointed toward
Jesus’ death and resurrection.

She understood that Jesus came to destroy
death by dying himself and rising from the grave.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see the God
who both weeps over and is outraged by sin and death.

And may you see Jesus who
resurrects the dead through his death.