The gift of Jesus
The name of Lazarus in Hebrew means “My God will help”, and the story of his resurrection definitely justifies it.
When news about Lazarus’ sickness reaches Jesus, he decides to stay put for two days. He finally arrives at Bethany (in Hebrew: “house of the poor”) four days after Lazarus’ death. Mary, Lazarus’ sister, tells him that if he would have come on time, Lazarus might still be alive. Jesus then resurrects Lazarus.
When reading this story, we miss a most important Jewish cultural reference point that makes all the difference.
In ancient times, many Jews believed that after death, the soul hovers over the body trying to get back in for a period of three days. These are the three days of resurrection. Now things become clear. Jesus timed his arrival to Bethany to the fourth day of Lazarus’ death in order to show that his powers of resurrection were not limited to three days, for he said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (John 11:25).
Discovering the Jewishness of Jesus and of the Early Jesus Movement is a crucial step in the continual process of accurate interpretation of the New Testament. Enroll today to my Jewish Background of New Testament Course and you will not be the same person you were when you first started.
