John 11:38-57 – All of the miracles and the questions and accusations come to a head in John 11. Yeshua performs his most astounding miracle – even greater than that of healing the man who had been born blind – he raises a man from the dead. This was the ultimate declaration of his place as G-d/Messiah. No one could raise someone from the dead unless they were G-d.
As if to make the miracle even more implausible, Yeshua makes sure to wait until Lazarus has been dead for four days – enough to start decomposing. Gross. His statements throughout this chapter signal to us that he was very aware of what would happen, what his purpose was, and what the outcomes would be on all fronts.
We already talked about his interactions with his Mary and Martha. Today I want to focus on the reaction of the Pharisees. It is in this chapter that we clearly see that their pursuit of criminal charges against Yeshua to gain a conviction penalty of death was their plan. (v 53) They determined he was a threat to their power and his popularity caused great instability and would be seen as a threat by Rome. (v 47-48) In their minds, his death was justified for the greater good. (v 49-52)
The statement has been peddled within the church for thousands of years, “The Jews killed Jesus.” What is more accurate is that Yeshua’s popularity, and the growing belief that he indeed was the Messiah, was a threat to the religious leaders. It was this group of men that plotted to Yeshua’s death to maintain their power, not the Jewish people as a whole.
As Joseph, a foreshadow of Yeshua, said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20) What these men meant for evil, Yeshua knew would bring about salvation for all. Do not doubt the hand of G-d in every event of your life – even when someone is attempting to work evil against you. G-d’s plans are greater. He can use their ill intent for His purpose in your life.
Neshama Women 