Palm Sunday

Passage: John 11:1-46

Introduction:

What will be your last words? Here are some from other people:

“Nothing matters. Nothing matters” (Louis B. Mayer, film producer; died October 29, 1957).

“It is very beautiful over there” (Thomas Edison, inventor; died October 18, 1931; he may have been referring to the view outside of his window).

“I’m bored with it all” (Winston Churchill, statesman; died January 24, 1965; after saying this, he slipped into a coma and died nine days later).

“Am I dying, or is this my birthday?” (Lady Nancy Astor; died 1964; after waking briefly during her last illness and finding all her family around her).

“Why, yes, a bulletproof vest” (Domonic Willard, a foot soldier during the Prohibition, just before his death by firing squad, in response to being asked if he had any last requests).

“Don’t let me die; I have got so much to do” (Huey Long, “The Kingfish,” governor of and senator from Louisiana; died 1935).

“Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you” (Mother Teresa; died September 5, 1997).

— www.wikiquote.org

Proposition: God wants us to Believe in Him.

I. Believe in His Delay vv. 1-6

A. The Message vv. 1-4

The name Lazarus means God is my help, and is the same name as Eleazar.

William Barclay

Calling upon Jesus to heal

Coming too late

B. The Timing

The Location

Jesus was across the Jordan River, away from Bethany.

He was there because the Israelites (specifically the Jewish leaders) were trying to kill him for claiming to be equal with God (“I and my Father are one”)

The Distance

This distance would have been a day’s journey for any messenger from Bethany. The prevalent understanding is that Lazarus died shortly after the messenger left to entreat Jesus’ help. Bible Knowledge Commentary 11:17. Apparently Lazarus had died soon after the messengers left. Jesus was then a day’s journey away. Since Palestine is warm and decomposition sets in quickly, a person was usually buried the same day he died (cf. v. 39).

This understanding gives the passage an interesting twist. When the messenger delivered his message, Jesus replied with “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Jesus already knew that Lazarus was dead before the messenger showed up. And if the messenger reported the words to Mary and Martha, that makes for an even more interesting conversation because the sisters knew that Lazarus died before the messenger found Jesus.

Remember: Jesus has a purpose in all of this.

C. The Delay vv. 5-6

Jesus purposefully waited two more days before departing.

This means that the two-day delay was motivated by Jesus’ love for Martha, Mary and Lazarus. How can this be?

D. A. Carson

By the time Jesus gets there it would have been four days since Lazarus died. His Coming

After His journey from Perea, the region across the Jordan River (10:40), Jesus arrived at the outskirts of Bethany. Rabbinic writings suggest a possible reason for John’s note that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days (see the discussion of 11:6 in the previous chapter of this volume). The Jews believed that the soul hovered around the body for three days after death, hoping to reenter it. But on the fourth day, after noticing that the body was beginning to decompose (cf. v. 39), [John 1–11, p. 462] the soul departed. Only then would a death be considered completely irreversible. Lazarus had been dead for four days, and his body had already started to decompose (v. 39). The Jews therefore would have recognized that only a divine miracle could restore him to life. (MacArthur, 461-462)

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

II. Believe in His Destination vv.7-16

A. Trust His Plan v. 7

Now that sufficient time has elapsed, Jesus sets out for His destination.

Jesus goes to Bethany. He looked at His disciples and said, “Let us go into Judaea again.”

B. Trust His Protection vv.8-16

i. The disciples protest. v. 8

The disciples are understandably worried. It was no secret to them that their Master was high on the Jewish leader’s hit list. There was genuine concern for all of their safety, and now Jesus was leading right next to the proverbial “lion’s den.” That is quite literal. The end of their journey was Bethany, which was less than two miles from Jerusalem. The apostle John will makes note of the distance by stating that Bethany was 15 furlongs away.

ii. Jesus comforts them vv. 9-10

Jesus comforts His disciples with this interesting expression. (READ vv. 9-10) The ultimate meaning here is that nothing can prematurely end Jesus’ ministry.

Application: The safest place you can be is in the center of God’s Will. While doing God’s work, nothing can stop you before God’s ordained time. What does that mean for me today?

First, make sure I am in the center of God’s Will. How do I do that? Look up God’s Will in the Bible and start doing those descriptions. And then as you are living for Him, He will guide your footstep to more specific paths.

Second, do not worry about what is going on around you. No amount of worrying or fretting will extend your ministry or time here on earth. The disciples were well intentioned in their concern, but they were worried for Jesus safety. And you know what? Their worry did not extend Jesus’ ministry here on earth. He still went to the cross as planned.

Third, do not fear hostility. The Lord had many enemies during His earthly ministry, and they could not lay a finger on Him until God’s appointed time.

iii. Jesus enlightens them vv. 11-15

Jesus tried to tell them from a heavenly perspective what has happened to Lazarus and why He must go. The disciples initially do not understand, thinking that Lazarus was already doing well by resting. After all, rest is the number one tool for getting well. Jesus had to break it down simply and let them know that Lazarus was dead, but that was a good thing because God had bigger plans in store.

iv. Thomas takes the lead and shows faith in Jesus v. 16

We often downplay Thomas, and if we read too quickly through this passage we would see his pessimistic character again. But note that Thomas is showing faith and leadership. He is the one standing up and encouraging others. He also is the one showing devotion to Christ, being willing to follow even if it meant death. While he and all the disciples would flee in the garden of Gethsemane, here and now they showed their love for the Master.

Bible Knowledge Commentary:

11:16. Didymus means “twin.” Thomas is often called “doubting Thomas” because of the incident recorded in 20:24-25. But here he took the leadership and showed his commitment to Christ, even to death. That we may die with Him is ironic. On one level it reveals Thomas’ ignorance of the uniqueness of Christ’s atoning death. On another level it is prophetic of many disciples’ destinies (12:25).

III. Believe in His Design vv.17-46

A. Believe His Power vv.17-24

Martha comes out to meet Jesus. She is not disrespectful in her question, but states her belief in His power. If Jesus was there, He could easily have healed Lazarus. If the messenger had arrived in time, maybe Jesus could have healed from a distance too (John 4:46-54).

Jesus provides words of comfort, that Lazarus would rise again. Martha misunderstands this and thinks it is just referring to heaven, but Jesus meant for it to be now.

B. Believe in His Person vv. 25-26

Jesus gives His fifth “I am” statement about His deity.

Jesus gives a clear presentation of the gospel. (Note the lack of mention for works or baptism!)

C. Believe His Compassion vv.33-38

Jesus knows our pain.

Illustration: When sportswriter Mitch Albom heard that his favorite college professor, whom he hadn’t seen in twenty years, was dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease, he began visiting him weekly. In his bestselling book Tuesdays with Morrie, Albom describes their visits, focusing on his old professor’s wit and insights. One time, Mitch asked Morrie why he bothered following the news since he wouldn’t be around to see how things turned out. Morrie responded, “It’s hard to explain, Mitch. Now that I’m suffering, I feel closer to people who suffer than I ever did before. The other night on TV, I saw people in Bosnia running across the street, getting fired on. I just started to cry. I feel their anguish as if it were my own. I don’t know any of these people. But — how can I put this? I’m almost drawn to them.” Jesus understands our sufferings, too, but it’s more than empathy; he has suffered and is with us when we suffer. — Greg Asimakoupoulos, Mercer Island, Washington

Jesus is upset with the pain and destruction that sin causes.

We see in His tears the tragedy of sin but also the glory of heaven. Perhaps Jesus was weeping for Lazarus, as well as with the sisters, because He knew He was calling His friend from heaven and back into a wicked world where he would one day have to die again. Jesus had come down from heaven; He knew what Lazarus was leaving behind.

Warren W. Wiersbe

D. Believe His Purpose vv.39-44

Jesus calls for the stone to moved away. Here we see Martha’s hesitation, but ultimate obedience.

Jesus prays a very short prayer and restates the purpose of these events.

Jesus calls Lazarus out. Note how Jesus immediately expresses concern for the needs of the one raised. Jairus’ daughter needed food and water, Lazarus needed to be let loose from the grave clothes.

Augustine once remarked that if Jesus had not said Lazarus’ name all would have come out from the graves.

Edwin Blum

E. Believe on Him vv.45-46

What was the purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead? To glorify God the Father and God the Son. How? By believing on Jesus Christ!

When I was about age six, a tall, pale white man stumbled into my home village of Dibagat in the northern jungles of the Philippine island of Luzon. The man didn’t speak our language, so our elders asked him the best they knew how, “Why are you here?”

“I’ve come to learn your language,” he said. “I’d like to write it down and then give you God’s Word in your language.”

We started teaching this man, Dick Roe, our language. Maybe his God could free us from the spirits.

When I was about thirteen, Dick had to return to the United States to raise support for his ministry. Before he left, he translated the gospel of Mark and gave me a copy. Sitting on top of a rock, I read the gospel of Mark in my heart language. It felt like I was actually there, seeing the characters.

The further I read, the more distressed I felt. A mob of people came to get Jesus out of the garden of Gethsemane. What did he do wrong? They accused him of all kinds of false things. They mocked him, spat on him, beat him, and took him before Pilate. Then came the scourge and the crown of thorns. It was excruciating to read that they forced him to carry a wooden cross and then nailed him to it.

Deep in my heart, a hatred of God swelled. I shook my fist and shouted, “I hate you, God, for being so powerless! Why should I believe in a powerless God like you?” I threw the gospel of Mark down to the rocks and started walking home. I couldn’t understand why God wouldn’t protect his own Son. Our headhunters defended us to the death. Because of them, no one could touch us. I wanted a god like that, someone who would protect me from the spirits that demanded we sacrifice our cows, chickens, pigs, and dogs. This God didn’t even save his own Son.

Suddenly God reached down into my heart. “Nard, don’t you understand?” I heard him say. “That’s how much I love you. I gave my Son on your behalf.” For the first time, I understood grace. I understood how much God loved me.

“God, if you love me that much,” I prayed, “I want to give you my life, my heart. It’s all yours.” I went back and began to read further in Mark. I read that Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. Nobody in all of Dibagat, nobody from among the Isnag people, had ever risen from the grave. The resurrection story changed my life.

— Nard Pugyao, “Penetrating Power,”

Decision (July–August 2006)

Application: Will we believe the proof of Jesus set forth? With we allow our belief in Him to succor us through our trials and trips (paths)?