What does the change from the nobleman's son's sickness to Lazarus's death indicate about the nation?
The change from the nobleman's son's sickness to Lazarus's death indicates the nation of Israel is moving in a downward direction. What began as sickness progresses to death, showing they are going from bad to worse. They could have received the responses available to them, but instead their condition steadily worsens.
Les explains that these signs are constantly advancing on a previous sign. The nobleman's son is sick earlier, but by the time we get down to Lazarus, he is dead. That is the direction the nation is going. They could have had all of the responses of these signs, but instead they are going from bad to worse. Religion had blinded them, and their spiritual condition deteriorates rather than improves.