John 10-12

In John 11:43 Jesus calls Lazarus from the grave; re-animating his friend's body and restoring his life. Why did Jesus choose to raise Lazarus? There were probably dozens of fresh graves in Bethany, why did he command that this one be opened? Was it the faith of Lazarus' family? I don't think so. Was it the faithful friendship and hospitality they had to Jesus in the past? Was Jesus' action intended to inspire Mary's priceless sacrifice recorded in John 12:1-3? That is plausible. Since John records the events in close proximity to each other I don't thing we should reject that possibility. (Remember that God used a plague to guide David to the future site of Solomon's temple-1 Chron 12:14-18) We know that Lazarus wasn't the only one Jesus raised from the dead. However he may have been the last one he raised as well as the only one he resurrected by name. Perhaps Lazarus' resurrection is a prediction of what we can expect when Jesus returns.
Stuart