John 11:39-41

“Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me’” (John 11:39-41 RSV).

Question:

I’m teaching The Lazarus Blueprint and the question came up as to the difference between this verse and John 3:16. For those “Christians” who believe it is essential to believe in Jesus in order to be saved, this passage seems to make a distinction. From a Unity perspective, it seems to be a distinction without a difference, but the question still arises.

Comment:

John 3:16 (RSV) reads, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” I’m not sure I understand the difference you’re suggesting between that and this passage from the story of Lazarus. First of all, the truth of “eternal life” does not preclude the possibility that we may find it necessary (or desirable) to put down our physical bodies and move on without them. Beyond that, Jesus is here, in his full Christ expression, calling upon the Christ expression of Lazarus to reassume its human form. The interesting question, I think, is: Why? Jesus Christ certainly does not need to see the physical form of Lazarus—he fully knows his true Christ identity continues to live. Jesus suggests in the following verse (John 11:42 RSV) that it is “on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that thou didst send me.” Poor Lazarus seems to be, at best, a bit player in his own drama. Jesus is not ‘saving’ him—there’s nothing to save him from. He is using him to teach a great spiritual truth by means of a vivid manifestation.

Incidentally, for a vivid and moving (although entirely speculative) rendering of Mary’s take on the whole Lazarus event, I highly recommend a short book by Colm Toibin titled The Testament of Mary. It is quite fascinating.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed