Delay's Deliberate Display, Part 1

Jesus may very well deliberately delay in our lives, permitting suffering, sorrow, and hardship in order to reveal himself that we might see and believe.

Introduction

It is a most lamentable thing to see how most people spend their time and their energy for trifles, while God is cast aside. He who is all seems to them as nothing, and that which is nothing seems to them as good as all. It is lamentable indeed, knowing that God has set mankind in such a race where heaven or hell is their certain end, that they should sit down and loiter, or run after the childish toys of the world, forgetting the prize they should run for. Were it but possible for one of us to see this business as the all-seeing God does, and see what most men and women in the world are interested in and what they are doing every day, it would be the saddest sight imaginable. Oh, how we should marvel at their madness and lament their self-delusion! If God had never told them what they were sent into the world to do, or what was before them in another world, then there would have been some excuse. But it is His sealed word, and they profess to believe it. Richard Baxter

God has gone through great lengths to show us Himself, the most glorious object of affection we could ever hope for or ask for.

If we fail to see or delight in Him, it is not HE who is at fault, but us.

John writes so that we might see and believe.

John 20:30-31.

John 20:30–31 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Therefore, as we read this book, we need to read it with an eye to SEEING who God is.

As we return to chapter 11, it is my prayer that we can do just that.

Lets begin by reading John 11.

John 11 ESV

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

Given John’s purpose for writing, you would expect that his narrative would be filled with writings that helps us to see and know and Jesus, to know God.

In John, we have the “I AM” Statements of Christ.

In John 11, we have one of those famed and cherished statements.

In John 11, we have one of the most extraordinary miracles of Jesus in the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead.

In John 11, we have one of the most powerful and poignant display’s of Jesus deity and power.

In John 11, we have a stunning display of God.

In John 11, we have an invitation to come and believe.

Dave preached through the first 16 verses already but this morning, we will review the events of those first 16 verses and I will revisit them only long enough to pull out several truths, that while already touched one, will help us build the large picture of that which John (and God) want us to see.

In John 11, Mary and Martha come to Jesus with A NEED.

Lazarus is sick

A need has driven them.

Is that legitimate? Should needs drive us to him?

Is that the ONLY thing that ought to drive us to him?

So often NEEDS are what drive us to God. We are fickle people. When we feel like we lack a need, we do not feel the urgency to come to God.

SO, God keeps reminding us we ARE a needy people.

So the question for us, even as we begin today is this....What is driving you to God today?

Is it need?

Is it desire?

It is abundance?

Why are you seeking Him?

Whatever the reason, my prayer is that we are DAILY coming to him, whether there is a need or not. I pray that we come because we delight to do so and that it is our most cherished, prized, and delightful time of our day.

Do you rejoice in your need that keeps driving you back to God and delighting in Him?

Are you looking for ways to see and savor Jesus? To see and savor God?

Are you regularly, actively, and passionately seeking to strengthen your faith, your belief in God?

Jesus invites us to see and to believe.

John writes for that purpose.

So....A NEED drives Mary and Martha.

What does Jesus do?

He delays for two more days.

Does that not strike you as odd?

So, what truths are displayed through Jesus’ deliberate delay which resulted in death?

Seven truths, I believe.

Sermon Body

Big Idea: Jesus deliberately delays in order to display Himself so that we might see and believe.

Seven Truth’s displayed about God from Jesus’ deliberate delay.

The first three are found in the first 16 verses of John 11 that David already preached several weeks back, so I will simply set them forth without restudying the passage.

Jesus’ delay displays His priority of God’s glory - John 11:1-4.

John 11:4 ESV

4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Jesus’ ultimate concern was for His Father’s glory.

Does this negate his love for his friend? NO!

YES, he loved his friend. The text will make this abundantly clear. However, MORE THAN HIS LOVE FOR HIS FRIEND, HE WAS DRIVEN BY HIS LOVE FOR HIS FATHER’S GLORY.

Please do not misunderstand this. HE LET HIS FRIEND DIE. He let his friends sorrow and grieve BECAUSE HIS FATHER’S GLORY was THE supreme priority and value to Him.

In our “Me-centric” world, we have made our personal happiness and comfort the supreme priority. TO THE POINT OF USING OTHERS AS OBJECTS FOR OUR HAPPINESS. As soon as people stop doing that, we cast them away. Which means, we were only ever using them for our own selfish ends. Love and continued investment even when it is not reciprocated or appreciated reveals a truly biblical love in that we do so NOT FOR PERSONAL GAIN but for THEIR HIGHEST GOOD.

We however, have applied the ME-Centric priority upon God and somehow think it is his job to ensure the fulfillment of that priority.

Problem is, our priorities often do not align with His.

In this passage, in his deliberate delay, in his permitting of death and sorrow, Jesus displays his priority to something greater and more precious than our physical and temporal happiness and comfort.

We would do well to learn from that.

How might God’s delay in your present circumstance be his design in order to display the wonders of his glory to you so that you might see and believe?

How is God’s delay in answering your request, alleviating your sorrow and suffering intended to draw your gaze and heart to him so that you might see and believe and that the strength of that belief grows?

And by the way, his delay is no indication of his refusal to come.

SO, truth #1 - Jesus delays to display his priority of God’s glory.

A priority that we ought to share, to value, to honor.

Truth #2

Jesus’ delay displays His priority of obedience the Father - John 11:5-10.

John 11:9–10 ESV

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

God sent Jesus into the world to be the light of the world. He had a task to complete. His point here is that his time was short. He was devoted to fulfilling His Father’s will. He was devoted to BEING the light of the world, while he still had time.

His time was coming to a conclusion. His time was drawing short. His time was drawing nigh.

The disciples could not believe that he would consider returning to Judea when they Jews were just looking to kill him.

But, Jesus’ concern was greater.

Obedience to His Father

Being the Light of the World

Helping others to see that they might see and believe

These were his priorities and his values. Thus, he determined that he would delay. Thus he determined that he would go, despite the danger. His father’s glory and his obedience to his father were of paramount priority to him.

In what ways does our failure to understand this reveal itself in our lives?

We are unwilling to risk ridicule or danger in obedience to taking the gospel.

Do you and I have the same level of commitment to the will of the Father, to be obedient to the father EVEN IF that means certain pain and sorrow?

Truth #1 - Jesus delays to display his priority of God’s glory.

Truth #2 - Jesus delays to show his priority of obedience to the father (To be the light)

Truth #3

Jesus’ delay displays His priority of our belief - John 11:11-16.

John 11:14–15 ESV

14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Jesus WAS GLAD he delayed, that he was NOT there…SO THAT…they might see and believe.

Here is another way of putting this....

I am glad that sorrow and pain have come...

I am glad that grief and loss have come...

I am glad that I CHOSE TO DELAY....

Because my focus is not on the physical but on the spiritual.

My focus is on the heart, on faith.

I WANT YOU TO SEE ME.

And seeing me means, enduring pain and loss in order for me to display myself most fully to you.

What hard circumstances are you enduring right now that God may be desirous of using to help you see and believe?

Do you trust God to use pain AS A GOOD THING in your life?

For some of us, this will look it did for Lazarus and Mary and Martha. Death. Loss.

For some, it will be the loss of our false idols.

For some, it will be the loss of our leisure, our comfort, our pleasure, our social standing, our success.

God’s priority is on our SEEING and BELIEVING in Him.

Do you trust him to use pain, rebuke, admonishment AS A MEANS TO LOVE US and to lead us to himself?

How is God using your current circumstances to accomplish that purpose? How are you resisting Him?

Truth #1 - Jesus delays to display his priority of God’s glory.

Truth #2 - Jesus delays to show his priority of obedience to the father (To be the light)

Truth #3 - Jesus delays to show his priority on our belief.

Truth #4

Jesus’ delay displays the truth of future resurrection - John 11:17-27.

John 11:17–27 ESV

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Lazarus dead and buried for how long? 4 Days

Common belief – soul did not leave body until after three days. Would wait around hoping to reenter. Once decomposition set in, soul left.

Most likely, this is partly why Jesus waited so long.

Bethany – 2 miles from Jerusalem; close proximity drew many from city to comfort – meaning there was a crowd.

Many of which would have come from Jerusalem, many of whom wanted to kill Jesus.

Also suggests that they were wealthy, prominent people that so many came to comfort them.

Martha hears of his arrival – goes to meet. Mary remains behind.

Custom was that the comforters came to where the mourners were and comforted them there.

Probably nothing more than showing difference in personality. Martha aggressive and Mary milder, content to wait for him to come to her.

What was another instance of where their personality differences showed up?

Martha’s words – not rebuke but faith and grief; Not necessarily believe that Christ has come to bring him back (confirmed by her belief he will be resurrected in the future). KEY – HER FAITH EVEN IN OUR GRIEF HAS NOT WAVERED FROM HIM. Even though by human standards he failed her. She still believes.

What about you? When God does not come through as your desire, as you believe He ought, DO YOU KEEP FAITH IN HIM?

FAITH that compels obedience despite the pain and hurt it may continue to bring.

The path of obedience is a path of pain sometimes

But it is also the path of faith.

Our problem is, when obedience hurts, we tend to stop.

Faith in God will compel us to keep going.

Christ’s response – compassion (we will see this more next week)

But what’s more is that Jesus uses this time to DISPLAY HIMSELF to her even more so that she would find comfort IN HIM.

Jesus – I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE – Whoever believes in me, though he die yet shall he live and anyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

Jesus takes her attention from the final resurrection to the one who is able to provide that resurrection.

I AM the resurrection….

Resurrection – There was taught (denied by the Sadducees but affirmed by the Pharisees) a future resurrection that both the just and the unjust would be raised to face judgment

Acts 24:14-15 – Paul arrested and on trial for preaching the gospel. In his defense he says…

Acts 24:14–15 ESV

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

There IS a future resurrection promised and spoken of even in Revelation.

Martha believed this, despite the denial by the Sadducees.

Christ’s point goes much deeper: I AM HE WHO PROVIDES AND OFFERS THAT RESURRECTION and makes it possible.

In fact by my death, burial, and resurrection, I am the object of that resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:12-23.

1 Corinthians 15:12–23 ESV

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Without Christ’s there is no resurrection for us. But because of His, He is the resurrection that we look forward to.

So, Jesus is the resurrection....

And The Life….

Several words for life used throughout, zoe, used here often refers to spiritual life.

Jesus is not only the resurrection, but He is LIFE ITSELF.

John 5:25-29 – Christ speaking…

John 5:25–29 ESV

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Christ is LIFE. He is the resurrection! He is the Life!

John 17 – Eternal life is knowing Christ.

His death, burial, and resurrection make eternal life possible!

He states it and then explains it

“Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he will live.”

Speaking of the resurrection in the end. That though he die physically, he will be resurrected in the end.

“and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Everyone who lives and believes in me, will not die – that is there is a sense in which those who already possess eternal life through their faith, will not die. They may die physically, but they will not die spiritually!

Do you believe this? Martha – Yes! Not simply that he can raise Lazarus or that of believing in a future resurrection, but in that HE IS THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE

Truth #1 - Jesus delays to display his priority of God’s glory.

Truth #2 - Jesus delays to show his priority of obedience to the father (To be the light)

Truth #3 - Jesus delays to show his priority on our belief.

Truth #4 - Jesus delay display’s the truth of a future resurrection AND THAT HE IS THE OBJECT OF THAT RESURRECTION.

Jesus may very well deliberately delay in our lives, permitting suffering, sorrow, and hardship in order to reveal himself that we might see and believe.

Why, because He knows that the greatest thing He can give to us is HIMSELF. And this often comes through the disappointment and pain of this life. BUT THROUGH IT ALL, he intends to draw us to the one place we can find our deepest joy.

Conclusion

God is God; you are but one of His creatures. Your only joy is to be found in obeying Him, your true fulfillment is to be found in worshipping Him, your only wisdom is to be found in trusting and knowing Him.

A Heart for God, 1987, p. 52, by permission Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. Sinclair Ferguson

God is God.

He is All.

And He has gone through extraordinary lengths to make Himself known to us.