The Raising of Lazarus in John 11

Why did Jesus delay his coming to see Lazarus until his friend was dead? What did first century Jews believe about the resurrection? Why is death called “sleep”? Was Jesus grieving, angry, or irritated? What does “Jesus wept” point to? What is the significance of Jesus being “the resurrection and the life”? These and other questions, Chad Bird addresses in this week’s video in Reading the Gospels through Hebrew Eyes.

[mannsdan]

Chad, you were a powerful speaker before the tragic passing of your son, (who BTW lived the life of a true hero). In the aftermath of his passing your preaching carries even more weight and has a deeper dimension of meaning, purpose and power. A heart felt Thank you for fighting through the toughest of times and endeavoring to bring to all of us The Words of This Life.

[Huntngame]

Man brother. I am so sorry hear about your son and father. But praise be to God that I heard you say they knew Him. Hugs my brother.

[lunaalbert]

I lost my dad this Jan. To just hear that a cemetery was "resurrection soil" made me stronger... I'm still on minute 17 and I'm so happy that I'm hearing. I'm so blessed.

[pamwehking]

I will forever be grateful to you for the comfort you have given regarding death. When I lost my son, there seemed to be nowhere or no one to comfort me… Ryan committed suicide and that is still taboo in church…even the pastor was uncomfortable in our presence. Unknowingly, you became the one who would help me face his death. I am unafraid to face death myself, but to lose Ry caused all sorts of ‘prickly’ feelings. This video is a treasure…and I find great peace from it.

[DoctrinesofRad]

Pastor Chad, I was talking about you with the wife of one of our elders at church the other day.

She asked if I had heard about you, and I had been following you on TikTok for awhile now.

Your teaching on the OT has had a major impact on her, bringing the scripture to life in a way she hadn't known.

I want to keep encouraging you brother!

Maybe I can pick your brain on our podcast sometime. God Bless you

[admiralmurat]

You did an excellent job! This is basically what we learn in Orthodox Christian seminary. This is the definition of hitting the nail on the head with a hammer.

[annabrignoni]

Am so enjoying your biblical and Truth inexpanding the Scriptures. I thank God for you ! 🙏🏻Be bless bro

[diannaroeder]

It truly is a comfort to know that as Christians through the Redemption of Christ Blood we will get to have our faith become sight at the resurrection. Looking forward to listening to more content.

[isaiahlynch]

Thank you for your awesome insight. Your teachings are up there with R.C. Sproul’s.

[robinbedrosian]

Sorry to hear about your son and dad ...may they rest in eternal peace 🙏🏻

[brightbite]

Yes, our weeping Empathetic God! Emmanuel is said to mean "God present with us." In Jesus we have a God Who is ever-present with our earthly concerns!

[rev.kevinscheuller]

Hi Chad, not to pick at nits here, but it is important to note that Martha and Mary's famous scene of Martha pointing out that she needed Mary to help serve the meal with Jesus in a chapter 10 verses 38-42 is in chapter 10 of Luke, not John. I love the content. In your presentation, it's not made clear that chapter 10:38-39 should be Luke 10:38-39 where Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet.

[steveconn]

Thank you next time i go to the cemetery i remember im standing on ressurection soil

[pdyt]

I think that when Thomas says, " “Let us also go, that we may die with him”, it's sarcasm or a sense of fatalism he's expressing.
I do agree that we shouldn't use "Doubting Thomas". His nickname in the NT and Early Church was "Didymus" (the twin). I did some research and the nickname "Doubting Thomas" came into use in 1818 in an English Reformation writing, presumably because of an emphasis on "Sola Fide". Before that only the event (not the person) was referred to as "The incredulity of Thomas".

[judithgilliam]

I never knew that if Jesus didn't specify lazurus' name that everyone would have been raised! 😅😂 I laughed so hard when you said that 😂😂😂

[Sam-dcbg]

As a believer the Gospel of John, especially the narrative John 11 was the hardest to believe. It is so in your face about the events described that there is very little middle ground for the mind to work with. Either you believe that he raised someone from the dead, or you don't.

[humblejoes]

Love your style and insights. One query.
“Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Your interpretation of these two statements in the one sentence has Jesus repeating himself. What if the difference were more obvious. “Lives”…in me, is what makes the difference. Not only “believes” in him, good for you, another consolation prize but “lives in him”! That Jesus is such a part of their daily life that it can be said they live “in him”. The statement, the promise here is, They will never die. Not though they die!
Heres more lending to the idea there are two types of everlasting life. Two judgements if you will. Immediate and sleep it off to the final judgement. One where he knows you and one where he never knew you but will judge your contribution to the resurrection of the life on the last day.

Mat22:30-31
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

By this statement clearly Jesus is saying Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are not waiting, or sleeping till the final resurrection. They already enjoy everlasting life with The Father.
Then in John 5:21-23
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

(My emphasis here) John 5:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

Then Jesus goes on to speak of the judgement of the dead. Clearly separating true believers in Him and The Father from those who are/were not, yet apparently may have redeemable qualities by his judgement alone, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” and “The Son gives life to whom He will.”

John 5:25-29
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

[yis]

Amén. Poderoso mensaje. Saludos desde Tijuana Mexico 🇲🇽

[locom]

Hey brother Chad, I'm thankful for who you are and your ministry! I have a question: why do you think he said resurrection AND the life? I guess I'm just thinking he could have just said life as a blanket statement for both. God bless you!

[LeapOfFaaaith]

Check out all the references to light in John and see the seam of a theme. It really blows up The implications of Jesus' little mini parable