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Question concerning Lazarus - John 11
Question concerning Lazarus - John 11
While teaching a class on John, we were covering the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In the middle of our study, I was asked: “If Lazarus’s wife remarried while he was in the tomb, whose wife would then be?” I used to think that there are no dumb questions, but this one surprised me!
It isn’t really difficult for we don’t know that he was married, and surely 3 days to find and marry a new husband is a bit of a stretch of the imagination. Such thoughts and questions often happens (although probably not as far out as this). The Bible wasn’t written to present us with answers to all the details. Following such ‘rabbit-trails’ simply are unprofitable.
Paul instructed Timothy about Foolish questions “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:22-23)
I can think of some questions I would have asked Lazarus after his resurrection! But this story is told not to reveal information on what happens when we die. “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31).
Lazarus died. Lazarus was buried. Jesus raised him to life. The story of such spread. Many believed in Jesus – that he was the Son of God. John wrote the story. Because of Lazarus, we believe.
Hugh DeLong
