John 11-12

Today the verse that stuck out the most to me was verse 16 of chapter 11.

"Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

This is a pretty striking comment. And I'm not sure what part of the conversation recorded before it was the cause of it.

Jesus said "Let us go back to Judea" which prompted the disciples to remind Him that the Jews wanted to stone Him not long ago. If He goes back He will likely face opposition and death.

Jesus insists, speaking that it is still day and that in the light you can see and will not stumble, but soon it will be night. He goes on to say that He is going to wake up Lazarus, from death.

1. The fact that Thomas is saying this makes me think of what happens after the crucifixion. About how Thomas refused to believe Jesus was alive until he saw it himself and felt His wounds. This seems so odd since in the next few verse he saw, eye witness, Jesus raise Lazarus from being 4 days dead. Resurrection happened in front of his own eyes, yet to believe his friends' testimonies of seeing Him alive would not change his mind.

2. Who was Thomas speaking of dying with? Jesus, as an act of sincere loyalty and faith? Or Lazarus, that Jesus could then wake them up?

a) If it was Jesus I think it makes more sense, there would be a potential danger of dying and much benefit and reason to go with Him. Like going with Him, Jesus, who was recently threatened with stoning, potential danger of death. But to go with Him, the light of the world (John 8:12) (since he had just mentioned all that stuff about the light of the world and it not lasting forever it made me remember him say it not long ago 'whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life') would then give them a chance to believe more. Jesus said he was going for their sake "so that you may believe (v15). So that makes the most sense to me, despite the fact it isn't back to back verses.

b) Dying with Lazarus doesn't make nearly as much sense for Thomas to say here. But for us, it makes more sense for us to say it. Let us die that others may believe. Not just go die meaninglessly 'for the faith', but I am talking about dying to self. Taking our crosses upon our own shoulders and following Jesus so that others may believe (v15). When Jesus comes and changes our lives, makes us new in Him, when we honestly surrender our selfish aims and seek His will, amazing things happen and it makes people ask and discover Christ in their lives (v45).

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

He will live the abundant life (John 10:10) though he dies (to self (Luke9:23)). Whoever lives and believes in me  will never die (but experience God's goodness for eternity (John 17:3)).