We read about the death of Lazarus and Jesus resuscitating him in John 11. We can make these comparisons and contrasts. Perhaps you can think of others.
1. Jesus asked that the stone be rolled away from the tomb of Lazarus so Lazarus could walk out of the tomb. The women wondered who would roll the stone away for them, for it must have been quite heavy, on their way to Jesus’ tomb. They found the stone rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let the women and Jesus’ disciples into the tomb. In His resurrected body, Jesus could pass through walls. See John 20:26, “A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
2. Lazarus would die again, for Lazarus was resuscitated from the dead, not resurrected. Later, after he died a second time, Lazarus would be resurrected at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
3. Lazarus’ dead body decayed, for his family was concerned about the stench of his body after four days. Jesus died, but even after three days in the tomb, Jesus’ body did not decay. See Acts 13:34-35 in reference to Jesus’ death and burial: “The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: ”I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ So it is stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’” Perhaps even more clear, see “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay” (Acts 2:31).
4. Lazarus had to be unwrapped from the grave clothes; whereas, Jesus passed through His. The fact that Jesus’ body did not decay and He passed through His wrappings give good reasons (among others) for why the Shroud of Turin is probably authentic.
5. Jesus told those present that if they believed they would see God’s glory. They believed, and Jesus acted because they believed, and they saw Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus. After Jesus died, they doubted. Seeing Jesus’ glory as raised from the dead, they came to believe in Him and His resurrection. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He acted because they did not believe.
6. Jesus prayed and knew that His Father would raise Lazarus from the dead. The Father and the Son worked together in raising Lazarus from the dead and defeating death. It was not the case that the Father wanted Lazarus to die and Jesus wanted Lazarus to live. The Father sent Jesus to die in our behalf, and Jesus was willing to die in our behalf. Then, the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus said that He would lay down His life and then take it up again. The Father and the Son worked together in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
7. Lazarus’ death demonstrated the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Because Lazarus died and Jesus raised him from the dead, many believed; while some wanted to murder Lazarus because Jesus had raised him from the dead. Jesus’ death was a substitutionary death for our sins, so God could be just and merciful in forgiving those who repent and believe in Jesus.
Can you think of other comparisons and contrasts?
