The Undoing of Death
The undoing of death
John 11:28-44
Main Idea: Jesus knows the full weight of death’s sting, and he undoes the power of death itself.
I. Jesus Weeps at Death (11:28-38)
As the scene continues to unfold after Lazarus’ death, Jesus calls for Mary who comes quickly with mourners following her. When she comes to Jesus, she repeats the assertion of Martha: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (11:32), collapsing at his feet (cf. 12:3; Lk. 10:39) in pain and sorrow. Rather than rebuking Mary or giving a theological explanation, we are simply told “Jesus wept” (11:35).
“A hurricane rushed through his spirit; all the forces of his soul were disturbed; he shuddered at the sight which was about to be set before him; he was thrilled from head to foot with emotion; yet the result of the storm was not a word of terror, nor a glance of judgment, but simply a blessed shower of tears.”
~ Charles Spurgeon, “Jesus Wept”
The tears of Jesus are surprising for two reasons:
Jesus already knows that Lazarus has died
Jesus knows that he is about to raise Lazarus from the dead
In his conversation with Martha (11:17-27) Jesus calmly invites her to see and believe his full divinity as the Son of God, “the resurrection and the life” (11:25). In his conversation with Mary, he displays his full humanity, expressing the range of human emotion in the face of death. In his incarnation, Jesus has been made like us “in every respect… yet without sin” (Heb. 2:17; 4:15).
“The glory of his Godhead did not make him ashamed of his manhood. Singular thing, too, that he should weep just before the joy of raising the dead to life. He is God, for he is about to call Lazarus out of the grave; but he is man just as much as ever, and therefore he weeps. Our Lord was as much man when he raised the dead as when he worked in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth. He was not ashamed to own his real manhood while he proved himself the resurrection and the life. This day in the glory of heaven he wears his scars, to show that, though God, he is not ashamed to be recognized as man… Beloved, ‘Jesus wept’ to show that he did not disdain the feebleness of that nature which he had taken up, that he might redeem it unto God.”
~ Charles Spurgeon, “Jesus Wept”
When the gospel writers describe the emotional life of Christ, they most often use the word “compassion;” he moves toward his suffering and straying sheep, loving them in such a way that he deeply feels what we feel (cf. Isa. 53:3a), flowing from his heart of love (11:3, 5).
II. Jesus is Angry at Death (11:28-38)
Twice John tells us that Jesus was “deeply moved” (11:33, 38) in his spirit; this word is better translated as “angry” or “indignant.” John is indicating Jesus was “bellowing with anger” or “snorting with rage” in the face of death; his outward tears are accompanied by an inner turmoil, not a stiff-lipped stoicism.
While Jesus could be “deeply moved” and angry by a number of things in this account, it seems that he is angry at death and everything death represents. Death is not the way it is supposed to be; it is the great and final enemy of humanity (1 Cor. 15:26) and is the consequence of the wreckage of human sin (Rom. 6:23a).
Rather than being at odds with his compassion and tears, Jesus’ anger here flows from his love and compassion. Jesus would not be loving if he did not simultaneously feel anger toward the things that threatened those he loved. His anger and indignation in this moment is in miniature a preparation for the great confrontation with the Evil One that is to come (cf. Gen. 3:15; 1 Jn. 3:8b; Heb. 2:14-15).
“Jesus approached the grave of Lazarus in a state, not of uncontrollable grief but of inexpressible anger… The emotion which tore his breast and clamored for utterance was just rage… It is death that is the object of his wrath, and behind death him who has the power of death, and whom he had come into the world to destroy. Tears of sympathy may fill his eyes, but his soul is held by rage… He advances to the tomb, not weak and sniveling, but as a champion preparing for conflict. John uncovers the heart of Jesus as he wins our salvation, not in cold unconcern but with fiery wrath against our enemy.”
~ B.B. Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ
III. Jesus Overcomes Death (11:39-44)
As Jesus approaches the tomb and instructs the stone to be rolled away, Martha reminds him of the visceral “sting” and awful “stench” of death: “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days” (11:39). The finality of death has still gripped the heart of this grieving family.
Jesus reminds Martha of the purpose of this whole account and of his coming into the world: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (11:40; cf. 11:4, 15). Christ then prays, letting all who are gathered hear his unbroken communion and perfect relationship with his Father.
“The voice through which the worlds were made, by which babies are knitted together in their mother’s wombs, by which all things hold together, by which everyone will be judged, cries out words that will roll back the deepest, darkest curse we know: by his word he made the world, and by his word he undoes death.”
~ Jim Hamilton, ESV Expository Commentary: John
“Martha must learn that the last day has already dawned... Resurrection is no longer a mere doctrine: it has a living face and a name. Jesus is himself the presence of the life which is God’s gift beyond death. To be bound to Jesus by faith is to share already now the life which is beyond death. To one so bound, death is the gateway to life and life is no longer bounded by death because it is the life which is raised out of death.”
~ Lesslie Newbigin, The Light Has Come
As Jesus raises and resurrects Lazarus from the dead, something else simultaneously happens: John 11:53: “So from that day on they made plans to put [Jesus] to death.” Jesus knows that the only way he could raise Lazarus from the dead was to ensure his own death, and the only way to interrupt Lazarus’ funeral was to cause his own. Jesus’ tears and anger don’t only lead him to raise Lazarus - they lead him to the cross (cf. 1 Jn. 4:9-10).
What happened to Lazarus is a foreshadowing of something greater that is to come. For all who are in Christ, we will one day rise with him (cf. Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 53; 1 Thess. 4:16). Christ’s resurrection makes sure the day that has been promised, when “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more” (Rev. 21:4).