What is the greatest miracle of Jesus?

Jesus, like God in the flesh, had the power to perform a miracle whenever necessary. He had the ability to transform water into wine (John 2: 1 - 11), to make a fish produce a coin (Matthew 17:24 - 27) and even to walk on water (John 6:18 - 21) . Jesus could also heal those who were blind or deaf (John 9: 1 - 7, Mark 7:31 - 37), reattach a severed ear (Luke 22:50 - 51) and free people from the vilest demons (Matthew 17: 14-21). What was, however, the greatest miracle he accomplished?
Probably, the greatest miracle witnessed so far by man is the complete recovery and restoration of physical life to someone who has died. It is such a rare event that only ten are recorded in the entire Bible. Jesus, on three different occasions, brought a person back to life (Luke 7:11 - 18, Mark 5:35 - 38, Luke 8:49 - 52, John 11).

This article lists the main reasons why the resurrection of Lazarus, found in John 11, was the most unique and greatest miracle manifested during Jesus' ministry.

A friend of the family
The first two resurrections that Jesus performed (the son of a widowed woman and the daughter of a synagogue ruler) concerned people he did not personally know. In the case of Lazarus, however, he had spent time with him and his sisters on a recorded occasion (Luke 10:38 - 42) and probably others as well, given Bethany's close proximity to Jerusalem. Christ had a close and loving relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus before his miracle reported in John 11 (see John 11: 3, 5, 36).

A scheduled event
Lazarus' resurrection in Bethany was a carefully planned miracle to maximize the glory it would generate for God (John 11: 4). He also consolidated resistance to Jesus by the highest Jewish religious authorities and began planning that would lead to his arrest and crucifixion (verse 53).

Jesus was personally told that Lazarus was seriously ill (John 11: 6). He could have rushed to Bethany to heal him or, from where he was, simply commanded that his friend be healed (see John 4:46 - 53). Instead, he chooses to wait until Lazarus dies before going to Bethany (verses 6 - 7, 11 - 14).

The Lord and his disciples arrive in Bethany four days after Lazarus' death and burial (John 11:17). Four days was long enough for his body to start generating a pungent odor due to his rotting flesh (verse 39). This delay was planned in such a way that even the most severe critics of Jesus would not be able to explain the unique and wonderful miracle he accomplished (see verses 46 - 48).

Four days also allowed news of Lazarus' death to travel to nearby Jerusalem. This allowed mourning participants to travel to Bethany to console the family and be unexpected witnesses of the power of God through his Son (John 11:31, 33, 36 - 37, 45).

Rare tears
Lazarus' resurrection is the only recorded time when Jesus is seen crying immediately before performing a miracle (John 11:35). It is also the only time he moaned within himself before manifesting the power of God (John 11:33, 38). See our fascinating article about why our Savior moaned and cried shortly before this latest awakening of the dead!

A great witness
The miraculous resurrection in Bethany was an undeniable act of God witnessed by a large crowd of people.

The resurrection of Lazarus was seen not only by all the disciples of Jesus, but also by those of Bethany mourning his loss. The miracle was also seen by relatives, friends and other interested parties who traveled from nearby Jerusalem (John 11: 7, 18 - 19, 31). The fact that Lazarus' family was also financially prosperous (see John 12: 1 - 5, Luke 10:38 - 40) undoubtedly also contributed to a larger crowd than usual.

Interestingly, many who did not believe in Jesus could resurrect the dead or openly criticize him for not coming before Lazarus died seeing his great miracle (John 11:21, 32, 37, 39, 41 - 42) . Indeed, several people who were allies of the Pharisees, a religious group that hated Christ, reported what happened to them (John 11:46).

Conspiracy and prophecy
The impact of Jesus' miracle is sufficient to justify a hurriedly organized meeting of the Sanhedrin, the highest religious court of the Jews encountered in Jerusalem (John 11:47).

Lazarus' resurrection reinforces the fear and hatred that the Jewish leadership has against Jesus (John 11:47 - 48). It also motivates them to conspire, as a group, about how to get him killed (verse 53). Christ, knowing their plans, immediately leaves Bethany for Ephraim (verse 54).

The temple high priest, when informed of the miracle of Christ (unbeknownst to him), offers a prophecy that Jesus' life must be ended so that the rest of the nation can be saved (John 11:49 - 52). His words are the only ones he would pronounce as a testimony to the true nature and purpose of Jesus' ministry.

The Jews, who are not sure that Christ will come to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover, issue their only edict registered against him. The widely distributed edict states that all faithful Jews, if they see the Lord, must report his position so that he can be arrested (John 11:57).

Long-term glory
The dramatic and public nature of Lazarus raised from the dead brought widespread and immediate and long-term glory to God and Jesus Christ. This, not surprisingly, was the main objective of the Lord (John 11: 4, 40).

Jesus' display of the power of God was so surprising that even the Jews who had doubted that he was the promised Messiah believed him (John 11:45).

Lazarus' resurrection was still "the talk of the city" weeks later when Jesus returned to Bethany to visit it (John 12: 1). Indeed, after discovering that Christ was in the village, many Jews came to see not only him but also Lazarus (John 12: 9)!

The miracle that Jesus performed was so great and noteworthy that its impact continues even today in popular culture. He inspired the creation of books, TV shows, films and even science related terms. Examples include "The Lazarus Effect", the title of a 1983 science fiction novel, as well as the name of a 2015 horror film. Several fiction novels by Robert Heinlein use a main character named Lazarus Long who had a lifespan. incredibly long.

The modern phrase "Lazarus Syndrome" refers to the medical phenomenon of circulation that returns to a person after attempts to resuscitate have failed. The brief raising and lowering of an arm, in some patients who have died of brains, is referred to as a "sign of Lazarus".

Conclusion
The resurrection of Lazarus is the greatest miracle performed by Jesus and is easily one of the most important events in the New Testament. Not only does it show God's perfect power and authority over all humans, but it testifies, for all eternity, that Jesus is the promised Messiah.