John 11:1-57
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
The Death of Lazarus
The Death of Lazarus
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.”
Jesus had a friend in Bethany named Lazarus. He was the brother of Mary and Martha. We see Mary and Martha at various times throughout the Gospel accounts. These two sisters who were close to Jesus sent for Jesus because His friend Lazarus was ill.
This can be a scary situation. If you have ever had a loved one get sick you can understand the emotions happening for Jesus and for Mary and Martha. The situation seemed dire. This wasn’t a cold. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus hoping that in some way He might be able to intervene. They are heartbroken and scared. They are desperate for a response from Jesus and the response Jesus gives is comforting.
“This illness does not lead to death.”
That is great news. Jesus was going to heal Lazarus so that he wouldn’t die. Not only that it says that God would be glorified and Jesus would be glorified as well. It seems like this is a win win.
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.”
After Jesus received the news He waited two more days. Lazarus as we know has been sick now for at least 4 days. It was severe enough that Mary and Martha hastily sent someone to tell Jesus and Jesus’ response is to wait before going down. But it is okay! Jesus told us Lazarus wouldn’t die. Everything is okay. I don’t know why He is taking so long but He says He has it under control.
Jesus finally decides to go to Judea and His disciples get worried.
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.”
Jesus is planning on going to Judea but the problem is that the people in Judea just tried to stone Him. Why do the people want to kill Jesus? In John 10 we get a conversation between Jesus and the people in Jerusalem. It was winter time and Jesus was in Jerusalem for a feast when someone asks Jesus who He is. They ask Him directly, “Are you the Messiah, tell us plainly”. Jesus’ response was clear.
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
I told you who I was and you didn’t believe. I showed you miracles and you didn’t believe. Jesus says you don’t believe because you are not one of God’s sheep. Sheep hear my voice and follow. Sheep have eternal life and are protected under my care and protected under my Father’s care. Then He says, “I and the Father are one”.
The people claimed to be of God but rejected Jesus and Jesus told them you can’t have both. You can’t have God and reject Jesus. Why? They are the same person.
Although some time had passed, the tension among the people and especially among the religious leaders was tense. Jesus was going back into a city that only a few months before had tried to kill Him. His disciples had good reason to be worried at Jesus’ return to Judea, but Jesus wasn’t worried.
Jesus is not concerned about the darkness of Judea because He is walking in the light. He knows that being in the will of God is the safest place He can be even if it costs Him His life. As we follow in Christ’s footsteps we do good to remember this. Even the darkness is not dark to God. He is the light of the world that shines in the darkness. Jesus was determined to glorify God and fear of what men might do to Him was insignificant.
We see this attitude in the Apostles after they are filled with the Holy Spirit. When the Pharisees and religious leaders demand that they must stop healing and teaching in the name of Jesus their response is, “We must obey God rather than men” They were walking in the day and not in the night.
Jesus tells them He must go to Judea because Lazarus is dead.
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.”
Lazarus had fallen asleep and Christ must go to awaken him. Jesus’ disciples didn’t quite get what Jesus was saying. The situation with Lazarus was severe. His illness killed him. Remember Jesus has waited two days after hearing this news to begin the journey. For the disciples this was probably a little confusing. Jesus made it seem like Lazarus wasn’t going to die. He made it seem like everything was under control. If Lazarus is asleep then that means he is resting up and should be okay soon right? There was nothing about the way Jesus responded that gave cause for the disciples to think Lazarus was dead.
There are several times when we just don’t understand what it is Jesus is doing. Situations arise in life where we look at life and ask God, “what are you doing in this? What is the purpose? Why is this happening?” I think it is only natural to have those questions. Following Jesus isn’t always upfront with all the information and that is okay. Jesus is teaching us how to live in faith. We don’t need to have all the answers when we understand we can trust God wherever He is leading.
Jesus said walk in the day and you won’t stumble. You don’t have to know where you are going. If you are walking with Jesus you can trust that God will work all things for your good and His glory. It doesn’t mean that it is easy or comfortable, but it will be good. Jesus was going into the lion’s den and His disciples were right behind Him. Look at what Thomas says. “Let us also go that we may die with him.” That is really encouraging Thomas thank you. Following Jesus isn’t easy. It often leads through valleys of shadow and death, but we don’t need to fear evil because we have a good shepherd leading the way.
Lazarus was dead, but Jesus was about to reveal His glory in an incredible way. If Jesus had been with Lazarus when he was sick Jesus would have healed him and it would have been just another miracle. But Jesus says it was good that Lazarus died because He was about to do something the disciples would never forget.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
Jesus arrives in Bethany four days after Lazarus had died. You can imagine the confusion and the grief in the air. Jesus said this wouldn’t end in death and now here is Lazarus dead in a tomb for four days. Many had come to console Mary and Martha for the passing of their brother. The whole scene is heartbreaking.
Mary and Martha grieve as people without hope. Lazarus’ story is over. The time for Jesus to intervene and save their brother has long passed. In Jewish culture it was believed that a person’s soul stayed in the body for three days after their death. Lazarus was past this point. He had been dead for four days. Even in Jewish tradition Lazarus was considered truly dead.
Biologically the case is the same. When a person dies their body begins to decompose. As soon as oxygen stops coming into your body your cells begin to break down. Your body has no way to circulate blood or remove waste. Cell membranes begin to break down and your body begins to eat itself. Within 24 hours your body enters into rigor mortis where your muscles will stiffen. Blisters will begin to form and your skin will begin to loosen. As organs begin decomposing the body becomes bloated and the skin goes from pale to a greenish color. None of this is describing the smells happening all throughout this process. This is all within 72 hours. Lazarus has been dead for four days.
So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
Martha seeks out Jesus. Her and her sister are grief stricken. They have lost their dear brother and Jesus who could have stopped it is here. She knows this. She greets Jesus saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my bother would not have died.” She doesn’t understand why Jesus is here. Maybe He got held up. Maybe something delayed His trip. She knows He is Lord but is still hurt and confused. She wants to trust Him but is so overcome by grief its hard to see straight.
Death is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t mean it is always easy when it happens. When someone we love dies we often find ourselves responding like Mary and Martha.
Sometimes we respond like Mary. I would rather not read my Bible or pray. I don’t want to stand before Jesus, look Him in the eye because I know He could have prevented this but He didn’t do anything to stop it. It is easier to stay in the house. Avoid. Hide. To live in despair.
Sometimes we respond like Martha. We want answers. We want to speak our mind. We want Jesus to hear about our confusion. Hear our frustration. To be angry and upset over our loss.
Jesus is not cold and unfeeling to Mary and Martha’s response. Jesus is understanding. He is a man of sorrows. Acquainted with grief. Loss and sorrow are not foreign concepts to Him. And although He is sovereign and knows what He is doing. Even though He is infinitely wise and knows what the plan and purpose of this situation is, it doesn’t mean He isn’t grieving with these women. They were grieving as people without hope, but Jesus shines a light into their darkness.
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Jesus offers hope to Martha. Your brother will rise again. Martha hears these words and thinks Jesus is making a theological statement about the end times. The belief that in the end of time the dead would rise again in a final resurrection. Jesus isn’t talking about that. Jesus isn’t talking about what He thinks about the end times. Jesus is talking about Himself. The resurrection of the dead isn’t a theory it is a person. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
This statement is not just hope for Mary and Martha. This is the hope for all mankind. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is able to take our cold dead hearts and breathe life into them again. He has the power to transform eternities. He is the one who breathes over the valley of dry bones and brings them back to life again. The resurrection Jesus offers is not character modification. It isn’t just try harder and maybe you’ll be a good person. It is complete life transformation. It isn’t merely a physical resurrection for a rotting corpse that will die again. This is eternal spiritual resurrection.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Spiritually we were dead. Far from God. Condemned to spend eternity in hell separated from a holy God. But Jesus took our place. The resurrection and the life was born in human flesh, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again on the third day. God, being rich in mercy, compelled by love for His creation, made us alive in Christ. Our resurrection and life. It wasn’t our good works that did this. A dead corpse can do nothing other than be dead. We didn’t earn a resurrection. It was given to us freely in Christ.
This is the hope Jesus offers to Martha. I am the resurrection and the life. Giver of eternal life to all who believe. Behold the beauty and power of the Gospel. The power of the resurrection offered to lowly sinners through belief in Jesus Christ. Do you believe?
Martha’s answer is so beautiful. She doesn’t need any more explanation. She doesn’t need to know why He was late. She doesn’t need to know what He is planning. She just needs Jesus. He is enough for her in her grief. This display of faith is something to remember in times of grief. We are not a people without hope. The creator of the universe understands our grief. He meets us in the quiet places. He hears. He comforts. We don’t need to know all the details because we serve a God who is in control. Death is a consequence of sin, but Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Jesus Weeps
Jesus Weeps
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 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. 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.” 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.
Jesus calls for Mary and she runs to Him. We have a lot to learn from these two women. Put yourself in that moment. Either as Mary or as one of the people watching. She heard the call of her Lord and she could hide no longer. Jesus sees Mary’s grief. He sees the grief of the people. It says He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. The next time Satan tempts you to feel like God doesn’t care for you remember this moment.
And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
The most powerful man in the universe weeps for His friends. Jesus understands vulnerability. He is not afraid to express His love for others. As Christians in this world it is easy to become desensitized to the hurts of others, but Jesus is supremely aware of the hurt surrounding Him and it moves Him to tears. Jesus is teaching us what compassion and empathy look like. He has the hope these people need, but that doesn’t keep Him from connecting on a deeply human level. His response isn’t well why don’t you just have more faith? He didn’t say well don’t you know better? The people whom Jesus loved were hurting and it moved Him to tears.
Jesus could have prevented this. So why didn’t He?
Remember the beginning of the chapter. This illness will not lead to death. God is going to glorify Himself and Jesus through this.
Jesus Raises Lazarus
Jesus Raises Lazarus
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
This sounds familiar. This will not be the last time in the Gospel account that a dead man will lay in a tomb behind a stone.
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.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Roll the stone away. Martha says what everyone was thinking. Jesus this body is going to stink! But Jesus reassures her. God is going to demonstrate His glory!
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 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.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 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.”
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. There was no question about his condition. That smelly, green bloated body walked out a living person. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. I know because the same thing Jesus did for Lazarus He did for me. He called my name, called me out of death and raised me into life.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Do you believe this?
Do you live as a person without hope?
Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.
