“After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus ) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:11-27, 34-35, 38-44 NIV)

Shortly before His own passion would begin, Jesus exercises His authority over life and death in such a way that it would be undeniable. In the midst of sorrow, Jesus would bring joy. In the midst of pain. Jesus would bring comfort. In the midst of death, Jesus would speak and breathe life.

The resurrection of Lazarus was so awe inspiring, so compelling that to say the authorities were threatened would be an understatement.

“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.” (John 12:10, 11 NIV)

The authority of Jesus Christ over life and death was well established before He would undertake the journey to the tomb by Himself. Lazarus’ resurrection was for the benefit of His disciples and those who believed in Him. Jesus clearly states this. But in a week’s time, He would be nearing His own journey through pain and suffering to death and the grave.

This pain-riddled experience would be so far beyond the pain of a fever and illness and death. His heart would be broken by betrayal (by His own disciples, by His people and His creation), His physical body would be tortured and wracked with pain so terrible it earned a new term: excruciating (out of the cross.) And in all of this, He was in control, He laid down His life and He would give up His spirit.

Jesus held and still holds the power over life and death, and as we enter the week of His Passion, we are reminded that His power is a comfort and a sign to us today in the midst of our own troubles, doubts, pains and fears. His love cannot be denied, and that is indeed a blessing.