New Testament: John 11.39

To read the Bible in a year, read John 11.18–46 on May 29, In the year of our Lord Christ 2020

By Don Ruhl

Once Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, He showed that He knew what He was doing:

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

– John 11.39

First, note that although Jesus was about to raise a body from the dead, He did not move the stone Himself and He certainly did not move it miraculously. He let man do what man is capable of doing. However, man cannot raise people from the dead. Therefore, He performed the resurrection.

Second, note that Martha was compelled to let the Lord know that Lazarus had been dead four days and therefore, the body would stink, as though Jesus did not know that it would.

The Lord knows what He is doing. He lets man do what He can do, and He knows His creation, for He created it to do what it does, such as the smell that comes from dead bodies.

Questions:

• Why did Jesus wait until Lazarus had been dead four days?
• Do you go to funerals?
• If not, why not?

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