The entirety of John chapter 11 points to the cross.
The resurrection of Lazarus was the catalyst for the cross. That Christ did not shy away from triggering the cross demonstrates His commitment to humanity to complete the mission given to Him by God the Father.
The scribes, Pharisees, and leaders of the Jews are now determined more than ever to put Christ to death. Verses 47 to 57 turn our attention to the cross.
At the same time, verses 47 to 57 represent the tragedy of unbelief. Note especially verse 48 as the reason for the rebellion against Christ. The high priest, scribes, and Pharisees were more concerned about their standing before the Roman government than God. It must be remembered that they became subject to the Roman government because of rebellion. Now, to maintain the status quo, they are further rebelling against God. How tragic!
Chapter 11, though, is not about them. The account of Lazarus being raised from the dead spanning the entire chapter is intriguing to me. In other similar instances, only a verse or two are allocated to the miracle. Here, the account unfolds verse by verse over the span of an entire chapter. Why is that?
William Barclay writes, “So often we would like Jesus to do things in our way; we must leave him to do them in his own way.” Had Christ reacted in the moment messengers came with news that Lazarus was sick, He would have been viewed as a walking ATM or free vending machine. We see this with other miracles as well. Christ does things in His own time. The miracle was not about giving us what we want but about strengthening our dependence upon Christ.
It is to increase our dependence on Christ that He does not always answer prayer all at once. He will not be compelled to respond, and when there is a delay, it is for our belief and His glory. See verses 4 and 15.
John 11:9-10 may be the most instructive verses in the chapter, “Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.’”
On the surface, verses 9 and 10, which respond to the disciples’ question in verse 8, almost seem to imply that Christ proposes to journey to Bethany by night to not be seen by the Jews. This, however, does not make sense. Recall that in John 6:21 Christ supernaturally transported the boat and the disciples from the middle of the sea to the shore.
Recall also in John 8:12 that Christ said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
John 11:9-10 should be read as, “If anyone walks in the light of Christ, he does not stumble, because Christ is in him, but if anyone walks in unbelief, he stumbles, because Christ is not in him.” Chapter 11 closes with the conspiracy of the chief priests and Pharisees, and we should understand that the inclusion of these verses portray them walking in the darkness of unbelief.
Christ is not speaking of journeying during the day or night to escape notice by His enemies. No, Christ is making reference to people walking in spiritual darkness.
See, for example, verse 15 which informs us that the resurrection of Lazarus was given as an aid to belief. The response by the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees is a demonstration of further unbelief. They were walking in darkness, and their reaction to the miracle increased their darkness.
Chapter 11, then, is an instruction to walk in the light of belief. Read in this way, verses 9 and 10 signify that there is only a certain amount of time given to humanity to believe on Christ, after which unbelief leads to permanent darkness, or permanent separation from Christ. Then, in verses 25-26, Christ refers to the second resurrection in which believers are raised to eternal life in Christ. This is reserved for those walking in the light of belief in Christ.
There would be a day coming when the opportunity for the chief priests and Pharisees to believe would close. This moment was an opportunity for the disciples and those who witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead to increase their belief in Christ and increase the light in their hearts before the opportunity closed.
Chapter 11 places our moral responsibility on full display. Verses 9-10 again signify that we will be held responsible in the judgment for our darkness, for it is entirely voluntary and of our own free will. Belief on Christ may present certain risks, which are highlighted in verse 8. Belief on Christ may result in death, as it did for Lazarus, and we must not lose sight of the resurrection to eternal life that we gain through belief on Christ.
The other verses in chapter 11 that are significant are 33-36. We see here the great emotion and compassion in Christ. Chapter 11 opens with a certain indifference to whether Lazarus lived or died. But now, there is only compassion.
Is this not how we often view the Lord? When answers to our prayers are delayed, we feel as if the Lord is indifferent to our plight. However, when He answers, we can see His compassion. It was His compassion for Mary that moved Him to act, and it is the same for us. He answers our prayers out of compassion, but not necessarily on our time table.
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Is not all that He provides in response to our need given to us through compassion? Christ expects belief, and when we believe on Him at all cost, He ministers to our need through compassion.
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