Suffering & Death, Redefined

Read

John 11:5–16 (ESV)

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.”

Opening Prayer

Setting the Stage

Lazarus is sick unto death.

Mary & Martha have sent messengers to Jesus so that He will do what He deems right.

Jesus and the disciples are about 60 miles away, NE of the Sea of Galilee.

Lazarus and his sisters are less than 2 miles away from Jerusalem.

The Pharisees are trying to arrest Jesus and they are close to Bethany.

And, they have, figuratively speaking, “Wanted” posters of Jesus up in the whole region.

After Two Days

John 11:7–8 (ESV)

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?”

Two things here:

#1 - They’re still wrestling with the popularized idea of a political Messiah.

They may be thinking we may have to do this without the Religious leaders…

But, the idea of a political Messiah that physically defeats the Romans and sits on the throne over all the Nations as a physical, political conqueror is still very much ingrained in their thinking.

So, when Jesus says that they need to go to Bethany…

And Bethany being so close to Jerusalem…

The area of the Temple and the religious leaders’ jurisdiction…

They think it’s a bad idea and could possibly spoil the political mission of their Messiah…

And, their culturally idealized plans of Victory.

Even Thomas shows this in…

John 11:16 (ESV)

16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

We don’t have enough followers.

We don’t have the weapons.

We don’t have the man power.

We don’t have enough horses and chariots mentality.

But, maybe Jesus has something we don’t know about…

So, let’s die with him if we don’t win.

—> Are we ready for a fight to the death?

Peter still felt this way in the Garden.

And, the idea of a political Messiah feeds the second idea here…

#2 - The Idea that a Suffering Messiah Can Bring Good Is Still Foreign to the Disciples

The natural mind could never be comfortable with the idea that suffering at the hands of the enemy could actually bring Victory over the enemies.

The thought of the natural man is that power is to be used to control and subjugate.

Power brings control.

Control brings comfort.

And, that is the only path to happiness and freedom.

Now, we live in a culture that likes to think they’ve somehow overcome such thinking.

Until you don’t think like they do…

Or vote the way they want you to.

—> Then you’re arrogant, bigoted, ignorant, and hateful.

The reality is that man uses all sorts of methods to subjugate…

Sometimes military power, but sometimes emotional manipulation, sometimes manipulation through the physical lusts of the flesh.

We have a God who was willing to suffer the greatest in order to bless His people with true happiness and freedom.

The suffering of the Son of God is the very means that God has ordained to free us from ultimate suffering…

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

This is a promise of God to redeem us from our sins and the condemnation they bring upon us.

His death heals us of our condemnation…

And, reconciles us to God.

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

This is why the cross is foolishness to the natural man.

Paul stated it…

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

They ask…

How can someone who suffered at the hands of His enemies ever deliver me from mine?

They do not understand the spiritual components of man’s ultimate need and God’s ultimate answer.

Both are found in Christ.

Romans 8:2 (ESV)

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

How did this occur?

Through the work of Christ being applied to us by the power of the Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Spirit of God is given to us as a gift and promise of the New Covenant in Christ.

The Spirit sets us apart to true freedom.

What is true freedom?

Being made new to see & savor the beauty & majesty of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Being set free to pursue holiness by the power of the HS.

Being set free to see the goodness and beauty of the holiness that we pursue.

We see in Jesus the enjoyment of true freedom to obey the Father in every way.

When the disciples try to warn Him of the dangers that lie ahead if they go to Bethany…

Jesus responds with…

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.”

Explain the Saying

The Jewish day consisted of 12 hours.

They divided the 12 hours into four parts.

Each consisting of 3 hours.

So, when Jesus asks the question…

Are there not twelve hours in the day?

The resounding answer would have been, “Yes.”

If you travel in those 12 hours the light of the world, the Sun would show you the obstacles so that you will not stumble.

After the sun sets, you lose the light and obstacles become hidden, and you stumble.

So, what is Jesus teaching the disciples?

That there is a fixed time for Him to work.

That time is now.

There’s a time when His earthly ministry will end…

But it is not now.

He must obey His Father and work His will.

There is nothing to fear when you’re walking in the will of God.

God’s will is the light.

—> All other paths are darkness

So, Jesus is saying we’re going to fulfill the will of the Lord…

John 11:11–13 (ESV)

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.

They don’t understand what Jesus means.

Evidently, Peter, John, and James forgotten the language Jesus used when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead…

Luke 8:49–56 (ESV)

49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

The way in which death is described for a believer is much different than for an unbeliever…

Death for a believer is often described as falling asleep.

Matthew 27:52 (ESV)

52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

Or like Stephen in…

Acts 7:60 (ESV)

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Or the Saints in…

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (ESV)

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For those who believe upon the Lord…

Death Is Re-Defined

Death for anyone and everyone outside of Christ means judgment.

Judgment outside of Christ means eternal condemnation.

But, in Christ we fall asleep and immediately awaken to glory.

A glorious awakening to the physical presence of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV)

8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

We see death for the believer…

Rather than being painful, torturous, condemning…

It is beautiful, comforting, and precious in the sight of the Lord.

Jesus even says…

11…but I go to awaken him.”

But, they don’t catch it and, like usual, Jesus has to speak explicitly for them…

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.”

I’m not talking about sleeping.

He’s not sleeping like you and I sleep between days.

—> He’s dead.

I knew He would die.

I stayed so that when I arrive He will have passed away.

I am going to awaken Him.

And, we’ve already been told, all of this is for the glory of God.

But, now Jesus adds a second reason.

The Benefit of Believers

15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.

your sake = plural

This is for the benefit of all my disciples.

Had I been there it would have only been a healing.

With me not being there it will be a resurrection.

So, for your sake…

For your betterment.

For your benefit.

For your strengthening.

For your peace.

For your comfort.

I let Lazarus pass away, so that what I do…you will witness…

And, believe more fully that I am who I say I am.

What’s the lesson for the disciples?

Christ has power over suffering.

Christ has power over death.

If Christ has power over suffering and death…

No one dies outside of the will of Christ.

He is the sovereign One who has power over life and death.

But, listen to Thomas’ declaration…

John 11:16 (ESV)

16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Thomas is sure that if Jesus goes back to Jerusalem He would be killed.

And, so he tries to stir the group of disciples to a zeal that will take them with their Lord in the face of death.

Now, we know when they were actually faced with death they fled the scene…

Ran away as fast as they could.

Thomas is stirring the group up for an unknown.

Thomas is also thinking of himself more lofty than he should.

They are very…

Quick to Forget

Had the disciples forgotten, already, what Jesus had just taught them?

John 10:17–18 (ESV)

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

The only way He dies in Jerusalem is if He goes and willingly lays down His life.

Let’s think about this...

As we think about the disciples in this scene, can we not relate…

Do we not often think more highly of our abilities than we should?

Do we not often out-think the situation God has us in and fret over needless things?

Don’t we often forget that our Lord has power over life and death.

That not a bird drops to the ground without the Lord decreeing it to be.

Don’t we often run, figuratively speaking, from scenes that may look difficult, forgetting the sovereignty and power of our Lord?

Rejoice for your good Shepherd.

Rejoice at the gentle, patient, loving care He provides for you.

Look at Christ here in this passage being patient with the slowness of His disciples to understand.

Look at the providence that the Lord is putting into place to strengthen their faith.

Look at the power of the Lord to do exactly what He wants to do.

This is your Savior.

This is your Shepherd.

This is your Redeemer.

His name is Jesus.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Closing Prayer