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The Gospel of John
Northwest London Christian Church
Series

Background to John’s Gospel

John Chapter 11
We are almost at half-time. John’s gospel is a two-episode story. The first Act shows us the public
ministry of Jesus and the increasing opposition to him by the religious authorities. The second Act starts
in chapter 13 and focuses on his farewells to the disciples as well as his passion and resurrection.
The Seven Signs
The raising of Lazarus from the dead is the seventh and final sign that John records Jesus performing.
These seven signs (seven being the number of perfection in Jewish thinking) demonstrate Jesus to be
the one authorised by God to lead his people into the light and set them free – truly free, not from
Roman domination, but spiritual blindness and bondage.

The Seven Signs in John’s Gospel

1. Changing water into wine 2.1-11
2. Cleansing the temple 2.13-22
3. Healing the nobleman’s son 4.46-54
4. Healing the lame man 5.1-15
5. Feeding the five thousand 6.1-15
6. Healing the blind man 9.1-41
7. Raising Lazarus to life 11.1-44

The Power of the Resurrection

The raising of Lazarus clearly foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection – partly from what he does in
raising Lazarus to life, partly in what he says (“I am the resurrection and the life” v.25), and partly in
what his opponents prophesy (“it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole
nation perish.” v.50). The historical fact of Jesus’ resurrection is central to the message of the gospel
(see 1 Corinthians 15.1-20 etc.).

The Heart of the Resurrector

Although the power of the resurrector of Lazarus (Jesus) is amazing, it’s also his compassion that
shines brightly. He is “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (.33), he weeps (.35), and is again “deeply
moved” (.38). As one author put it, “What a beautiful display of Jesus’ full humanity at the threshold of
the most amazing display of his divinity..”.1 Christianity cannot be reduced to simply a set of doctrines
and facts. We are loved by a fiercely compassionate God. We are saved by the self-sacrificial love of
Jesus Christ. As his disciples we enjoy and glory in this love, and then also imitate it. Perhaps some
questions for all of us today are, “When was the last time you felt deeply moved for someone who was
in trouble?”, and “What can you do this week for someone who is in pain?”. There are many different
types of pain being felt by our ‘neighbours’ – physical, emotional, spiritual. You and I may not be able to
physically raise the dead, but we can take the pain of our friends to Jesus in prayer and personally
show them the practical Christ-like compassion they so desperately need.

Malcolm Cox

1 “Encountering John”, Kostenberger, Baker Books, page 131