John 11:11

John 11:11 says. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. He said to the disciples that their friend Lazarus was sleeping, but He was going to wake him out of sleep.  Verse twelve adds, Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.  The disciples said if Lazarus was asleep that he was doing well.  Verse thirteen continues, Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.   Jesus called the death of Lazarus sleep, because for His followers, death has no dominion. The physical body may perish, but the spirit does not.  Lazarus was a friend of Jesus and the disciples.  As His followers today, we should certainly be His friends and friends of other believers.  We are united through Christ as family. The disciples thought Jesus was talking of Lazarus being physically asleep and if he were very sick, they thought this would be a good thing.  Also, if he was sleeping, there would be no need for them to go to Judaea and be confronted by the Jews again.  We must not let the fear of confrontation with the world stop us from doing the work of God.  We today may think we are only resting or sleeping when we may be dead in our work for Christ.  If so, we need to allow Him to raise us up to spiritual life again.  Verse thirteen continues, Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death, but they thought He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. We are told that the disciples indeed thought that Lazarus was simply asleep, but then this will be explained better in verse fourteen.  Verse fourteen states, Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.  Jesus clarified things.  Jesus said to them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

Jesus did not have to go to where Lazarus was to raise him from the dead. Jesus will never leave us confused if we look to Him in faith for the answers. Verse fifteen adds, And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.  Even when things look hopeless or unnecessary, if God tells us to go, we must go, so that our faith may be established in Him.