Jesus was going to comfort Mary and Martha because their brother, Lazarus, had died. His disciples didn’t know of Lazarus’s death because Christ told them “he sleeps”. Jesus then told them plainly before they embarked to return to Jerusalem, that Lazarus was, in fact, dead.

Jesus and His disciples went to Lazarus’s tomb, upon their return.

Mary was there mourning; weeping she in anguish told Christ that if he had arrived sooner he could have healed Lazarus. Feeling her loss, Jesus wept.

He told them to roll away the stone from the tomb. Martha told Christ that Lazarus would stink, having been dead 4 days. Jesus called forth Lazarus from the tomb. Some who witnessed this miracle went to tell the Pharisees (a sect that believed in resurrection) and the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, a Sadducee.

Christ’s disciples warned him of the danger of returning to Jerusalem. Caiaphas, recognized the following that Christ had assembled. Caiaphas was part of the rich, ruling class that held a lot of power, but in many cases were amoral and concerned with holding onto that power no matter what.

Caiaphas knew that Christ would die, and prophesied that Christ’s death would not only save the nation but all mankind.

Some might think that Christ should have called legions of angels to prevent His death. However, He was completely submissive to the will of the Father. When miracles happen, it is by grace. Provoking God is a bad idea, because miracles sometimes come in the form of wrath. The working of miracles is given by God for convincing or condemnation. Those that follow Jesus realize it is the one and only way back into His presence. Those who won’t believe are soon dragged down to hell.

Those legions of angels will be with Christ when he returns. What a glorious day for those who wait patiently. For those called to a higher calling, I salute you, so long as you remain faithful to God and Country.