John 11:1-3

¹Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ²This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. ³So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one You love is sick."

Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus’ sign-miracles have been growing ever more extraordinary, and His related teachings have become ever more explicit. Finally, in this seventh and final sign, we see the climax of Jesus’ sign-revelation, and the last miracle that John would record before Christ’s own death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. One of the main themes of this chapter is Jesus’ love. We see it for Lazarus (v3), for Martha and Mary (v5), and for the disciples (v15); yet, the reason for this whole episode is not primarily love, but God’s glory (v4).

Previously, we have seen everything necessary for life – eternal life – in Christ alone. He alone can give the water that springs up into everlasting life. He alone can give the true bread – His own body – that sustains eternal life. He alone can give the light that is the life of men – that is, He alone can produce the faith that leads to forgiveness and life in fellowship with the Father. And now, finally and climactically, we see Him giving life itself. John mentions that Lazarus was both the one Jesus loved and the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. John also tells us that this Mary is the one who poured perfume on Jesus (Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13) and wiped His feet with her hair (this will be revealed in John 12).

John sets a new context. Recall that Jesus had left Jerusalem to go across the Jordan to stay at the end of chapter 10. It was the place described in John 1:28 and likely brought back memories of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. And there was sort of a revival going on; lots of people were believing in Him. Then He received a message from Mary and Martha; it was short, but their request was made clear. By saying, “The one you love is sick,” they are asking Jesus to come immediately and heal him. Thus we learn two things here: first, that Jesus knows that heart-stopping feeling you get when someone you love is sick; He knows the questions that fly around your head in moments like that. There’s nothing like that that happens to you that He hasn’t experienced. And second, when we pray, we can use few words and appeal to the love of God, knowing He cannot forsake those whom He loves.