For the Glory of God; The death of Lazarus

John 11:1-16 “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 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.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 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. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” After saying these thin…”

1. Who is Lazarus?

He was a friend of Jesus.

He had 2 sisters, Mary and Martha.

He was well connected.

He was wealthy, somewhat at least, based on his support of Jesus.

Mary was the one who poured the very expensive oil on Jesus’ feet.

12oz, worth a years pay, median New Mexico Salary is $56000 John 12:3

2. Q. Why did Jesus Wait?

There is a lot of speculation, but He tells you why he did it.

2. A. For the Glory of God And for the Son!

Quick note, Jesus is God.

Jesus loved them. It may seem odd that he would wait 2 days, but…

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

3. Have you ever missed a friend or family member?

I don’t mean like you wish you could talk again but you grieve over their passing.

I think Jesus had a different perspective but he was still both human and God.

Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus knew the pain he would cause by letting Lazarus die but he also knew the effect it would have to those who saw Lazarus rise.

4. What was his delay and Lazarus death for?

For the Glory of God and of the Son!

Why was Jesus going back to the place, Judea, where the priests, Pharisees, and Sadducee's wanted to Murder him.

For the Glory of God and of the Son!

5. What was the cross?

The cross was a curse or pronounced someone as cursed.

Galatians 3:13 ESV

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

6. Why was he willing to risk death to go back and see Lazarus?

For the Glory of God and of the Son!

He waited 2 extra day because he knew Lazarus had died.

He knew the pain it would cause for Mary and Martha.

He knew their expectations but he waited anyway.

He knew there were people from Judea looking to kill him.

He knew he had to go back.

Why?

For the Glory of God and of the Son!