In the Gospel of John, we encounter a story as miraculous as it is timeless: the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). This profound event has echoed through generations, offering hope, renewal, and faith in God’s power to overcome even the finality of death. But what might this story say to those who lived through the 20th century—a century marked by immense trials and incredible resilience?
The 20th century brought wars, revolutions, social upheaval, and incredible advancements. It was a time when the world seemed to break apart and reassemble repeatedly. In the midst of such change, the themes of death, darkness, and rebirth in Lazarus’s story speak with special resonance. Just as Lazarus’s loved ones mourned him, so too did many mourn the state of the world as it moved from one crisis to another. Yet, out of these dark valleys came new life, often unexpected but deeply transformative.
1. Rising from War and Conflict
World Wars I and II were like the tomb for a generation—devastating families, nations, and ideals (Isaiah 2:4). But out of the ashes came a renewed desire for peace and unity. In 1945, the United Nations was established to foster cooperation and prevent future wars. Just as Jesus called Lazarus forth from his tomb (John 11:43), humanity emerged from darkness, learning to value life and unity over division. The pursuit of peace was not unlike rolling away the stone to allow new life to flourish (Psalm 34:14).
Scholars like Niebuhr (1932) discuss the relationship between faith and the human condition, especially amid societal turmoil, while Wink (1992) explores how the spiritual and political dynamics in history can lead to peace and resurrection-like transformation.
2. Overcoming Economic Despair
The Great Depression (1929-1939) devastated economies worldwide, leaving jobs, security, and dreams in ruins. Yet, in the face of despair, communities pulled together, fostering resilience and growth. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” initiatives in the United States helped rebuild hope and opportunity. Just as Jesus commanded the stone to be removed from Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:39), people began removing barriers to progress, symbolically rolling away the stones of economic despair and replacing them with faith in the future (Philippians 4:19).
Theologians such as Brueggemann (1984) discuss how communities can find hope in the midst of economic suffering, a concept he calls “prophetic imagination,” enabling the faithful to envision a different future.
3. The Struggle for Civil Rights and Social Justice
The 20th century saw powerful movements for civil rights, women’s equality, and social justice. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., inspired by biblical visions of justice, stood as modern-day voices of hope, calling for love, unity, and equality (Amos 5:24). In a time when oppression seemed insurmountable, these voices echoed Jesus’s call of “Come forth!” to a society long entombed in prejudice and division. Their efforts brought light and hope, challenging the world to wake up to a future where all people could thrive (Galatians 3:28).
Gutierrez (1973) explores liberation theology’s focus on justice, equality, and hope, highlighting the Lazarus narrative as a model for both social and spiritual resurrection.
4. Scientific and Technological Rebirth
Advancements in medicine, technology, and exploration in the 20th century offered tremendous promise and power. From space exploration to the development of penicillin, society moved into a new age of possibility. Yet, with advancements came fears, particularly during the nuclear era. Like Lazarus rising into a world of new possibilities, humanity learned to wield its newfound knowledge with a sense of purpose and responsibility (Psalm 111:10). As Jesus demonstrated by raising Lazarus, miracles require both trust in God and wise stewardship.
Niebuhr (1951) speaks to the ethical responsibilities that come with power and progress, noting that true “resurrection” requires humility and wisdom to manage human achievement responsibly.
5. Faith and Hope Amid Change
Throughout the 20th century, faith communities became sanctuaries where people found encouragement and courage to face the unknown. Churches, temples, and mosques offered people a place to renew their strength, reminding them of God’s promise of resurrection and hope (Romans 15:13). Like those who witnessed Lazarus’s miraculous return to life, these faith communities reminded people that God’s light shines even in the darkest times (Psalm 27:1).
Tillich (1952) describes faith as the courage to be, especially in times of crisis, helping people to embrace hope and resurrection in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Bibliography
Brueggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination. Fortress Press, 1984.
Gutierrez, Gustavo. A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation. Orbis Books, 1973.
Niebuhr, Reinhold. Moral Man and Immoral Society. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932.
Niebuhr, Reinhold. The Irony of American History. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1951.
Tillich, Paul. The Courage to Be. Yale University Press, 1952.
Wink, Walter. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination. Fortress Press, 1992.
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