Blessed Assurance

John 11:1–16 ESV

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 things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Fanny Crosby was a prolific Christian songwriter who wrote over 8,000 hymns during her lifetime. She was born in New York on March 24, 1820, into a family with a strong Puritan heritage. As an infant, she suffered an eye infection that left her blind for life.

The treatment she received from a quack doctor, which involved placing hot poultices on her inflamed eyelids, caused scarring that led to her blindness.

Tragically, a few months after Fanny’s birth, her father passed away. Her mother, Mercy Crosby, was left widowed at the young age of 21 and was forced to hire herself out as a maid. Fanny’s grandmother, Eunice Crosby, stepped in to take care of the baby and became her primary caregiver and teacher.

Despite her blindness, Fanny’s grandmother was determined to provide her granddaughter with a quality education. She took it upon herself to teach Fanny about the physical world, illustrating it in vivid detail.

She also read and explained the Bible to Fanny, instilling in her a deep faith and a love for God. When Fanny became discouraged because she could not learn like other children, her grandmother encouraged her to pray for knowledge and understanding.

In 1834, Fanny learned about the New York Institute for the Blind and knew that this was the answer to her prayer for an education. She got enrolled in the school when she was twelve. Later, she became a teacher and served at the same school for an incredible twenty-three years.

Despite the challenges she faced as a blind person, Fanny excelled academically and became a celebrity at the school. She was called upon to write poems for almost every occasion and became known for her poetic and lyrical talents.

On March 5, 1858, Fanny married Alexander van Alstine, a former student at the Institute. He was a talented musician whose skills on the organ were renowned in the New York area. The dynamic duo collaborated on several gospel hymns that resonated with audiences across the country.

In the summer of 1873, Crosby visited her friend, Phoebe Knapp, who was a gifted musician and composer. One day, Knapp played a melody on her piano and asked Crosby what she thought of it. As soon as Crosby heard the tune, she exclaimed, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!” and began to compose the lyrics on the spot. Within an hour, the hymn was complete, and Blessed Assurance was born.

The lyrics of Blessed Assurance are a powerful testimony to Crosby’s faith in Christ and her unwavering confidence in His salvation. The opening lines declare, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! / Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” The hymn goes on to affirm the believer’s security in Christ, their victory over sin and death, and their hope of eternal life.

However, the story behind Blessed Assurance is more than just a moment of inspiration and musical genius. Crosby’s blindness, while a physical limitation, never hindered her ability to see and experience the beauty and majesty of God’s love. Her powerful testimony reminds us of the Bible verse “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Source: https://www.faithpot.com/story-behind-blessed-assurance/

Our scripture today gives us powerful reasons why we can have “blessed assurance”, even in times of crisis.

(pause)

The end of John 10 and beginning of John 11 mark a major change in John’s gospel. The first 10 chapters focus on events of Jesus’ ministry revolving around various feasts and talk about various religious institutions. Jesus used these to describe who He is, the Messiah, the Son of God.

You might categorize John 11-21 similarly as they detail Jesus’ movements preceding, during, and after the Feast of Passover.

But this section of his gospel is different as these chapters all revolve around Jesus’ death and resurrection.

We find in John 11 also the seventh sign or miracle that Jesus performed, as listed by John. While John performed many miracles and signs, throughout his gospel he identifies only a select few as the intention of his book is clear: to encourage us to trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

This seventh sign - the raising of Lazarus from the dead - is the most dramatic and compelling. While other signs were given so that the disciples might put their faith in Jesus, this sign was given to increase their faith in him.

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It’s been a couple months since we last looked at the Gospel of John, but John 10 ends with Jesus leaving Judea where the Jewish opposition to his ministry was the greatest, and returning to Galilee some distance away.

John 11 now begins by telling us about three dear friends of Jesus - Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who lived in Bethany. These were the three siblings who invited Jesus to supper in Luke 10 where Mary ignored the chores to sit at Jesus’ feet while Martha stewed as she prepared the stew - or whatever she cooked for her guests that day!

Bethany was in Judea; this small town was located about two miles from Jerusalem - just a short walk, but about 20 miles away - a long day’s journey - from where Jesus was when they sent the messenger to inform him:

John 11:3 ESV

So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

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Don’t you love the beauty and the grace of these sisters’ request?

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They did not demand that Jesus stop what he was doing and come to meet their need. Oh, no, that would be too arrogant. He was Lord, not they.

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No doubt, these sisters fully understood why Jesus was avoiding Judea. Those who were most opposed to him were located in this region. For him to come would pose great personal danger to Jesus.

Indeed, as one commentator notes:

This greatest sign performed by Jesus—bringing Lazarus back to life—represented not only the crowning miracle of Jesus’ ministry, but also “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in the eyes of His opponents. On other occasions Jesus had faced threats to His life, as scandalized mobs took up stones in reaction to His claims. Yet so far none of these hostile incidents succeeded or resulted in an organized plan to dispose permanently of Jesus. But in traveling to Bethany, Jesus knew that the raising of Lazarus would throw the switch which would set the religious leaders into action, and would ultimately result in His own execution.

Dongell, J. (1997). John: a Bible commentary in the Wesleyan tradition (p. 139). Wesleyan Publishing House.

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While these sisters knew of the danger to Jesus, their own need was pressing.

John 11:3 ESV

So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

(pause)

Jesus’ response was mystifying. Truly, even today, while we know the “rest of the story”, his actions still don’t make sense to us.

Notice what Jesus said…

John 11:4 ESV

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.”

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Jesus’ words are puzzling to us because we know that Lazarus did die.

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Yes, we know “the rest of the story” and so we understand Jesus’ statement that Lazarus’ sickness was for God’s glory.

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But, quite frankly, I am tempted to rewrite Jesus’ response! I am tempted to say, “This illness does not end in death.”

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How could Jesus say the illness did not lead to death, when Lazarus most certainly would die?

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This question becomes even more baffling when we carefully consider the time of events. If we continue reading on to John 11:17, we find that when Jesus finally arrived to Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

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Remember the distance and time. Bethany was a long day’s journey to Jesus’ location. One day of traveling for the messengers plus two days of Jesus tarrying where he was plus one day of traveling for Jesus to Bethany… equals four!

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Lazarus must have died shortly after the messenger left to find Jesus and been placed in the tomb almost immediately!

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Sometimes, Jesus would be approached by people seeking healing for loved ones who were not present. Do you remember the centurion who came to Jesus?

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Jesus would say the word, and the person would be healed.

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In this instance, Jesus did not clearly promise healing for his friend… while he did say the illness would not lead to death.

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Let’s assume the messenger immediately turned around and headed back to Bethany. Can you imagine what cruel mockery it must have been when the messenger arrived back in Bethany … and Lazarus had been dead and in the tomb for two days at that point?

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Does this help us understand the sisters’ repeated mantra later in this chapter, “If Jesus had only been here, our brother would not have died!”?

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In such times of desperation and distress, the question, the belief, that we hear so often is this: if you are spiritual enough, if you have enough faith, if God is truly pleased with you, then you will not get sick, you will not die, you will be successful, you will not be poor, you will flourish!

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You’ve probably heard such preaching, haven’t you? I still remember the fellowship meeting I attended while in my first pastorate out in the Oklahoma panhandle.

A church in a town not far away was having revival services. The evangelist told us that night that if we had enough faith, we would not get sick, or at least we would not stay sick. We would not suffer financial need.

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Our lack was because we did not have enough faith in God!

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But notice what the sisters said to Jesus in John 11:3

John 11:3 ESV

So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

Their basis of appeal for Jesus’ help was not Lazarus’ love or their own love for Jesus. They did not appeal to their faith, their goodness, or anything like that.

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Rather, they pointed out the fact that Jesus loved Lazarus!

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Someone has written:

Like Martha and Mary, I don’t approach the Lord on the basis of my love for Him. You know why? Because my love for the Lord is fickle and feeble. But His love for me, however, is fixed and firm. He’s never surprised by what I say, never taken aback by what I do. Therefore, wise is the man or woman who approaches the Lord based on His love.

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (pp. 531–532). Thomas Nelson.

J. Vernon McGee similarly writes:

Some people say that a Christian should never be sick. Is sickness in the will of God? I wish Lazarus were here to tell you about that. Sickness is not a sign that God does not love you. “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them” (Eccl. 9:1). In other words, you cannot tell by the circumstances of a man whether God loves him or not. You have no right to judge. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts …” (1 Cor. 4:5). Jesus loved Lazarus when he was sick. Not only that, Jesus will let Lazarus die—but He still loves him.

McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39, pp. 22–23). Thomas Nelson.

In times of crisis, we can feel assured because…

1. Jesus loves people who are sick, vv. 1-4.

(pause)

Granted, this truth is what makes Jesus’ next actions so perplexing to us. Instead of speaking a word of healing, instead of immediately leaving to rush to Lazarus’ bedside…

John 11:6 ESV

So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

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Can you imagine what the disciples must have thought when Jesus did nothing about this prayer request?

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Surely, they must have thought, “Well, Jesus said the illness would not lead to death. That must mean Lazarus will get better!”

Or maybe some realized, “Jesus will be in great danger if he goes back to Judea. Jesus is making the prudent action. He’s staying out of trouble!”

Some disciples, more sensitive to people’s feelings and cultural expectations, may have wondered if Jesus was being a bit insensitive and rude to his dear friends.

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We know, as we noted earlier, that Lazarus had already died by this time. Back in Bethany, Martha and Mary were struggling, “If Jesus had just been here, our brother would not have died!”

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John 11:5–6 ESV

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.

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It almost seems like John is saying that because Jesus knew these sisters were struggling with the sickness and then loss of their brother AND out of his love for them, Jesus stayed away for a couple of days.

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Mary and Mary needed to experience the grief and sorrow?!

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If Jesus had been right there and had stopped Lazarus from dying, would their faith have been as strong as it was compared to when they saw Jesus raise their brother from the dead?

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Was it a cop-out to say, “If Jesus had been here, our brother would not have died?”

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Must we always have Jesus physically present in order to navigate the challenges and crises of life?

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Can we, and will we, believe and trust in Jesus even when he seems distant, nowhere to be found? Can we trust him when he doesn’t answer our prayers like we desire?

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A few months ago, we shared a prayer request with you about some friends of ours who were involved in a terrible car accident. In the vehicle were a couple, grandparents - in their 80s? - along with their son and daughter and their daughter’s husband.

The grandmother and son-in-law were both killed. The son was hurt. The daughter, who is a prolific piano player had her hands broken badly.

This daughter had remained single for many years, into her 40s and 50s, only marrying just a few years ago.

Once she had convalesced enough to post on Facebook again, the entries she made were truly heartbreaking. She struggled with the pain of loss, the questions of why, the loneliness and more.

Looking through some of her posts even this week, you can tell she is still struggling with the loss of her mother and husband. Yet God has been faithful to her in this time of loss.

Yet with all the pain, questions, pictures of fond memories, and more, her posts are also punctuated with prayers of hope, scriptures filled with God’s promises.

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Sickness, suffering, and death raise so many questions. We often would like to quell such fears and uncertainties with pat answers. But God is bigger than that.

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God doesn’t always do things the way we expect. Sometimes, Jesus tarries where he is a couple days longer. But we can know that just as Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Jesus loves everyone who is suffering and sorrowing.

In times of crisis, we can feel assured because…

2. Jesus loves people who are sorrowing, vv. 5-6.

(pause)

After continuing to minister where he was for two more days, Jesus then surprised his disciples.

John 11:7–8 ESV

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?”

Surely, the disciples had questioned why Jesus did not stop what he was doing to go visit his dear friend Lazarus. But they must have assumed the reason why.

Judea was a dangerous area for their Rabbi! Jesus repeated assertions of “I AM” had riled the people up. Maybe some had forgotten, but surely Jesus would face opposition if he returned.

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Would the people actually stone him this time?

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So the disciples questioned Jesus. “Why are you doing this, Rabbi? You said that Lazarus’ sickness does not lead to death. We don’t need to go. Let’s stay here. You are doing a wonderful ministry right here. Let’s not rock the boat any more!”

In response to the disciples’ objections, Jesus made an interesting observation that provides us a great promise in times of trouble and crisis.

John 11:9–10 ESV

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.”

In that area of the world, the sun typically rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m. But what is Jesus’ point about walking during daylight hours?

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Simply, Jesus was saying that God had appointed a time, a window of opportunity, for Jesus to minister in safety. There was coming a day in which Jesus would be arrested and crucified. But until that moment Jesus need not worry about coming in harm’s way.

Someone has explained…

The interesting expression this world’s light obviously refers to sunlight, but John may have intended a veiled reference to working in the “Sonshine”—that time which the Father had allowed Jesus to be on earth. Ed Blum suggests, “In one sense he was speaking of walking (living) in physical light or darkness. In the spiritual realm when one lives by the will of God he is safe. Living in the realm of evil is dangerous. As long as He followed God’s plan, no harm would come until the appointed time” (Blum, p. 313).

Gangel, K. O. (2000). John (Vol. 4, p. 214). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

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Do you see the amazing promise to us found in Jesus’ words? Jesus is NOT promising us that we can do whatever we want and expect God to keep us from harm.

Even Jesus refused to throw himself from the Temple as to do so would “tempt” God. The point is NOT that we can be foolhardy and reckless in serving God and expect nothing bad to happen.

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The point IS, however, that while we live and serve in the center of God’s will, we can do so without fear of harm. Again, this is NOT to say that God will NOT allow bad things to happen to us. But it is to say that we can live and serve God confidently in a dark, dangerous world.

And if, while we are living and serving in the center of God’s will, some evil comes upon us… we can know God has allowed this for our good and His glory!

Jesus followed up this promise in verses 9-10 by telling his disciples that Lazarus had fallen asleep, and that he was going to awaken him.

Then, as now, “sleep” was used as a metaphor for death, but the disciples took Jesus literally, and thought that sleep would be good for the sick man.

John 11:14–16 ESV

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Thomas, unfortunately, has gotten a bad rap. You may remember after Jesus was raised from the dead that Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them.

So, when Thomas was told Jesus was alive, he refused to believe unless he could put his fingers in the nailprints of Jesus’ hand, feet, and side. So this disciple has become known as Doubting Thomas.

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This story in John 11 seems to reinforce our picture of a despairing, discouraged, doubting disciple. In a real sense, Thomas probably felt great fear and uncertainty about returning to Judea where the opposition to Jesus was so fierce.

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On the other hand, Thomas’ declaration reveals something very profound and admirable. Despite the impending opposition and possible death, Thomas was willing, he was determined, to go with Jesus.

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In fact, Thomas would go with Jesus, even if it meant dying with his master!

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In this light, we might should reconsider our picture of Thomas after the resurrection. As someone has noted, while the rest of the disciples huddled secretly in the Upper Room for fear of the Jews, Thomas had apparently ventured out in the streets!

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Maybe Thomas’ refusal to accept the other disciples’ story at face value was more a determination to get it right. For, when Jesus did appear to Thomas, this disciple uttered one of the most profound statements in the Gospels: “My Lord and my God!”

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Do we then see in Thomas the same reaction we ourselves have?

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While John 11:7-16 do not specifically speak of Jesus’ love for his disciples, we do see his love in his desire that their faith in him might be strengthened.

You see, in times of crisis, we can feel assured because…

3. Jesus loves people who are scared - struggling with faith, vv. 7-16.

(pause)

I know, I know. No one likes to be called a “scaredy cat”. But in truth, that’s the emotion we often feel when we are struggling with faith.

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Whether it is fear of facing death, or fear and pressure of mounting bills that we don’t know how to pay or a situation at work in which there seems no way out or some other difficulty, yes, we are often scared.

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We struggle to trust and believe Jesus. We think we know a better route than he does. But if we are to remain faithful, we must follow him into the scary unknown.

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While our future may be uncertain, however, we can know this… Jesus loves us even when we are scared and struggling to trust him.

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Throughout this puzzling story of Jesus being approached for healing… and doing nothing… we find powerful reasons why we can have “blessed assurance”, even in times of crisis.

As we have explored this story, we have been reminded that Jesus loves people who are sick, Jesus loves people who are sorrowing and Jesus even loves people who are scared - struggling with faith.

You see…

Big Idea: Our assurance in times of crisis is Jesus’ unfaltering love.

With this reminder that Jesus loves us, not because of our worthiness, but because of his love for us…

Understanding that Jesus loves us even if we are sick, sorrowing, or scared - struggling with faith…

How then should we live?

May I challenge you with the words of Doubting - Devoted - Thomas?

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Let us also go, that we may die with him!

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We may never “die for Jesus” in the sense of being martyred for our faith. Yet Jesus has called us to take up our cross and follow Him, daily dying to the desires of Self and the pleasures of this world.

So I challenge you again… let us go with Jesus, wherever He may take us… in 2025 and beyond!