What does Lazarus being "four days" in the tomb signify about faith? Passage Focus: John 11:17, 39–44 “On His arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb.” (John 11:17) “‘Take away the stone,’ Jesus said. Martha, the sister of the dead man, replied, ‘Lord, by now he stinks, for it has already been four days.’” (John 11:39) Why the Four–Day Delay Matters • Certifies real death: Rabbinic thought held that a soul might hover near a body up to three days; day four removed all doubt. • Eliminates natural explanations: Decomposition (“he stinks”) underscored absolute impossibility apart from divine intervention. • Magnifies Christ’s glory: Jesus said, “This illness will not end in death; it is for the glory of God” (John 11:4). Waiting ensured that glory could not be shared with human remedies. • Tests and matures faith: Martha professed, “I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask” (John 11:22). The delay stretched that confession into deeper trust. Lessons About Faith Drawn from the Four Days 1. Faith believes when circumstances are past hope. – Abraham “hoped against hope” (Romans 4:18); Martha is asked to do likewise. 2. Faith rests on Christ’s word, not on visible signs. – “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). 3. Faith acknowledges Jesus as the Resurrection now, not merely at the last day. – “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). 4. Faith learns that delay is not denial. – Psalm 27:14; Habakkuk 2:3—God’s timing serves His purposes. 5. Faith anticipates personal resurrection power. – Ephesians 2:1–6 links our spiritual quickening to Lazarus’s physical one. Practical Implications for Today • When prayers seem unanswered, recall that God may be positioning events so His glory is unmistakable. • Situations that appear “too late” are arenas for resurrection power. • Trust Scripture over sensations; odor of decay does not negate spoken promise. • Encourage one another with the certainty of bodily resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18). • Walk in newness of life now, evidenced by Lazarus leaving grave clothes behind (John 11:44; Romans 6:4). |
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