John 11:38-44 (WEL) Then Jesus again groaning in himself came to the tomb. It was a tomb with a stone lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now he stinks, for he has been there four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they removed the stone from where the dead lay. Jesus’ eyes lifted up, and he said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 “I know that you always hear me, but for the sake of the people standing here I said this so that they may believe that you have sent me.” 43 After he said this he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come here.” 44 He, who had been dead, came out, bound hand and foot with grave cloths, and his face had a handkerchief tied around it. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
V38 Then Jesus again groaning in himself came to the tomb. It was a tomb with a stone lying against it.
Some believe this was a cave-like structure dug out from the rock; others believe it was beneath the ground and dug from rock, thus tunnel-like. From the description, it appears that the stone was rollable, thus a cave-like structure.
The Greek word for groan is G1690. ἐμβριμάομαι embrimaomai, which means
(Mounce) “to be greatly agitated.” This would indicate a person stiffing up, taking a deep breath, pursing their lips in anger but no verbal outbursts.
(AMG’s Comprehensive Dictionary of New Testament Words) “To be violently affected by circumstances.”
All of which indicate that Jesus was deeply moved to the point of agitation because death was not meant to be but is a punishment inflicted upon all life and the universe because sin contaminates and makes something obnoxiously hateful to God.
V39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now he stinks, for he has been there four days.”
Jesus, as Messiah, the king, issues a command to move the stone out of the way so that Lazarus could walk out. This is His preparatory action. Shortly thereafter, He issues the command to Lazarus. Lazarus will not have any hindrance to walking out (except the grace clothes); Jesus also wished for the stone to be removed first so that people would see Lazarus walk out.
Principle: Have a plan.
Martha was reacting normally. She just couldn’t believe it and in a jerk-knee response replies that Lazarus has been dead for 4 days and would have the stink of decomposition.
In Jesus’s time some believed the soul hung out with their dead body for 3 days, but by the fourth day had departed. This is wrong, of course, as Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross (Luke 22:43).
(Bible Hub) “First-century Judea buried the deceased the same day (cf. Acts 5:6, 10). A body was wrapped in linen and placed in a rock-hewn tomb, sealed with a stone (John 11:38). Rabbinic sources (e.g., y. Moed Qatan 3.5; Gen. Rabbah 100:7) record the widespread belief that a person’s soul hovered near the body for up to three days, hoping to re-enter; on the fourth, seeing decay, it departed permanently. By arriving on the fourth day, Jesus waited until every natural hope, popular superstition, and cultural expectation of revival was past.”
Jesus also wanted the people to witness not just a miracle but an awesome miracle to prove to them that He is Messiah. He is there to encourage faith in the believers and reveal to people that He is Messiah to all believers and unbelievers.
V40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?”
Jesus is encouraging Martha’s faith.
Principle: Exercise a person’s memory to remind and encourage faith.
V41 So they removed the stone from where the dead lay. Jesus’ eyes lifted up, and he said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”
After moving the stone out of the way, Jesus prays.
Principle: Before any great ministry, pray that God be glorified, honored, and thanked.
When the Bible says, “God heard,” it means that He has granted a positive answer to your prayer.
Principle: Pray, but accept God’s will whatever answer He gives.
Principle: There is no special ritual or magic words to cause God to answer prayer.
V42 “I know that you always hear me, but for the sake of the people standing here I said this so that they may believe that you have sent me.”
Jesus, God the Son, knows His Father’s will so perfectly, that all of His prayers are granted.
That one exemption is in Luke 22:42, “Nevertheless, your will be done.”
Principle: It is God’s will be done, not ours. Answered prayer is God’s blessing, not that He is fulfilling your words.
Some believe that they are able to speak words of power and thus God must answer their prayers. God is the sovereign, no one else!!!
We learn:
- Pray first, act second.
- Jesus is Messiah.
- Jesus is able to raise the dead.
Questions:
- Do you pray first before acting on any major decision?
- Do you believe that Jesus could raise you up from the dead?