John 11:11-16 11This he said, and after this he said to them, “Lazarus, our friend, has fallen asleep. But I go in order that I might awaken him.” 12Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.” 13Now Jesus had spoken about his death, but they thought that he was talking about taking rest in sleep. 14Therefore, Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16Then Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with him.”
These verses explain the reason Jesus delayed going up to Bethany. Jesus gives two reasons using purposes clauses (hina) in answer to the disciples’ question about going back to the place where his life was threatened. Each reason addressed a need of the discples. The first reason explains his love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Verse 11 indicates how Jesus cared for this family and wanted to restore Lazarus to life. The disciples misunderstood His response that Lazarus had fallen asleep (kekoimētai). This word is used several times in the New Testament as a metaphor for being dead (Acts 7:60; 13:36; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 11:30; 15:6, 51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 2 Peter 3:4). The disciples took Jesus literally about Lazarus only being asleep. Jesus used a similar metaphoric meaning for death as sleep in Mark 5:39. The Markan and Johannine passages give the reason why death can be described as sleep: Jesus is the source of life and resurrection. Death does not have the final say on those who are Jesus’ friends.
Jesus states the second reason clearly in verse 15 with another purpose clause. This reason is closely connected to the first purpose clause but extends the impact of resurrection to the disciples and all who believe in Jesus. His delay was so that the disciples may believe, the same keyword used throughout John for the type of response one should give to Jesus. There was something missing in the disciples’ faith development that the situation with Lazarus would help grow. The disciples had been following Jesus for up to three or more years. They had faith in Jesus but not to the point of resurrection. They believed him to be the Messiah but did not fully grasp him to be the “I am.” They had witnessed Jesus healing the sick and even raising a few people, but there was something even more significant about Lazarus that they needed to learn.
John mentions the response of Thomas, one of the disciples known as the Twin, on purpose. Thomas illustrates the problem with the rest of the disciples. They were thinking about death. He was brave in his statement, willing even to die with Jesus. The disciples knew the threats that lay ahead in Jerusalem. Their problem is that they failed to note Jesus’ power, and they clearly missed the purpose why he needed to return. The incident with Lazarus’ death would prepare them for Jesus’ own death. Later, they could look back and see how death is only like sleep and is temporary. The one who rose from death has power to grant resurrection life to those who believe in him. Thomas had an insight that he did not realize at that moment: the way to new life is the commitment to follow Jesus, even unto death.
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