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The eleventh chapter of John tells the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. I’ve listened to testimonies of people that have been raised from the dead. These are true stories with doctors many times bearing witness to the fact. Jesus had heard that Lazarus was in dire straits and on the verge of death and yet He waited till Lazarus died to show up. Yes, Jesus could have healed him but He wanted to exibit the power of God.
Doctors today can measure brain function and a myriad of other things and can declare with accuracy when someone has passed. Two thousand years ago none of this was true, so to prove Lazarus was dead Jesus waited until the body decayed enough to start stinking. There was no question that Lazarus was dead. Nobody could quip that he was just in a coma or something else. No, he was dead and Jesus raised him up. Jesus performed this miracle so his disciples might believe who He was by seeing the glory of God. God is the life-giver; that is His glory.
The disciples didn’t want Jesus to go because the Jews were intent on stoning Jesus. It was dangerous. But Jesus knew His appointed time to die wasn’t yet, let alone by stoning so they went to Mary’s house. After the miracle, many came to see the man raised from the dead. But they chose to not believe. Oh, they couldn’t deny what had happened but believing Jesus was the Messiah wasn’t in their best interest. Preserving the old covenant was important because that’s where their power came from. Men explain away miracles because it doesn’t fit their lifestyle to believe in God.
The story of a rich man dying and suffering in the flames whilst he saw Lazarus being comforted by Abraham reflects what is common to man, that being unbelief. The rich man wanted someone to go back and warn his brothers about what lies beyond death. What was he told? Even if one came back from the dead they would not believe. There is more to belief than just knowing the facts. Accepting that Jesus is the only way to God can only happen by choice. Choose this day whom you will serve. Our natural tendency is to serve ourselves. Denying our diety is the hardest thing to do. Not my will but Yours be done. My will is my enemy. It’s what keeps me from doing all the God desires.