Jesus at Lazarus' Tomb - Wednesday Night Class
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In this class, Clint Davison taught on John 11, the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. He established the historical and political context by comparing the escalating tensions between Jesus and the Jewish leaders to the Cold War tensions between superpowers. Just as Cold War powers engaged in back-and-forth conflict that threatened to boil over, the Jewish leadership's opposition to Jesus was reaching a critical point. The teacher emphasized that this miracle occurred in Bethany, dangerously close to Jerusalem, making it impossible for the Jewish leaders to ignore Jesus' growing influence and power. Davison highlighted Jesus' declaration in John 11:25—"I am the resurrection and the life"—explaining that while this claim wasn't entirely new (Jesus had made similar statements in John 5:21 and had previously raised others like the widow of Nain's son and Jairus' daughter), the public nature of this miracle near Jerusalem became the tipping point for Jewish leadership. The teacher stressed that Jesus deliberately delayed two days before going to Lazarus, allowing him to die so that God's glory would be revealed through the resurrection. This was not God causing Lazarus' death, but Jesus permitting it for a greater purpose. The class emphasized that everything Jesus does has intentional purpose, and this miracle would ultimately contribute to the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.
Key Scriptures
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, he will live.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.