Signs 6 & 7

Healing the Man Born Blind & Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 9, 11)

God’s Good Purpose in the Suffering and Healing of the Blind Man (John 9:1-7)

English Standard Version Chapter 9

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

Jesus Saw

The Suffering

John 9:1 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

blind from birth—a man, perhaps 20, 30, 40; never able to see; what would that be like?

We may not suffer from blindness, but there are many, many other kinds of suffering that we experience personally, or we see or hear of others going through. Suffering is a universal problem.

The Wrong Question

John 9:2 ESV

And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

What is the cause of this suffering?

Suffering in general is related to sin in general (Genesis 3), though not every instance of suffering is related to a particular sin.

focus on blame/wrongdoing of others or ourselves

This was the error of Job’s friends too. They said that his suffering was because of a particular sin that he committed.

The Right Question

John 9:3 ESV

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

What is the purpose of this suffering?

Focus on God’s good goals and purposes for us as his children

God gets glory through our suffering (John 11:3-4)

God grows our faith through our suffering (John 11:15)

God teaches us to humble ourselves and rely on him through our suffering

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God gets our attention through our suffering (Job 36:15, Psalm 119:67 & 71)

Job 36:15 ESV

He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.

Psalm 119:67 ESV

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalm 119:71 ESV

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

God makes us more like Christ (makes us holy) through our suffering

Hebrews 12:10–11 ESV

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God demonstrates his love for us through our suffering (Hebrews 12:6-8; John 11:5-6)

Hebrews 12:6–8 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

God causes our hearts to long for the day when he will make all things new through our suffering.

Revelation 21:1–5 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Then, in v. 4,

God reminds us of Christ’s suffering on the cross for us (John 9:4; Isaiah 53:4-6)

Our hope for a future pain-free, suffering-free world is only because Jesus suffered in our place.

John 9:4 ESV

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

At the death of Christ, people also assumed it was because of his own sins

Isaiah 53:4 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But Jesus suffered for our sins, not his own (he had none!)

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

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.

The only one who never deserved to suffer, suffered in our place so that we could be healed — body, soul, and spirit, forever.

Our Suffering and the Suffering of Others

When we suffer or see the suffering of others we care about, we must focus not on the cause but on God’s purpose (God is in control and has good purposes) — not who or what is to blame, but what good is God bringing out of this?

God sometimes removes suffering (John 9:6-7); other times he doesn’t (Paul’s thorn in 2 Cor. 12)

The best thing God can do in our suffering is not to remove it, but to draw our attention to him, to help us to trust him and worship him even in the midst of our suffering.

In this case, Jesus did remove this man’s suffering—but he also did something even better than giving him physical sight; he gave him spiritual sight as well, and this man worshiped Jesus (John 9:38)

English Standard Version Chapter 9

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Application:

· ‌Trust that God has good purposes in your suffering.

· ‌Ask the right question about your suffering and the suffering of others

· ‌Remember Christ’s suffering for you on the cross

· Thank God for the hope you have of perfect health and wellbeing in his presence forever because of Christ.

Jesus’s Genuine Love in the Death and Resurrection of Lazarus

Text: John 11:1-16

When we go through sickness or deal with the sickness or death of a loved one, we may be tempted to doubt either the power or the love of God in such times. When we experience any kind of loss, we may feel like God has lost control or that he doesn’t care about us.

Mary and Martha probably felt something similar in this story. When their brother died and Jesus didn’t come right away, it may have seemed like either he couldn’t do anything about it or that he didn’t care about them. They may have doubted his power or his love.

But it was through this loss that Jesus demonstrated both his power and his love, and he strengthened their faith as they beheld the glory of God in Christ.

The Sickness (v. 1)

John 11:1 ESV

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

The problem of sickness; the sick man identified as Lazarus, and siblings identified

The Connection (v. 2)

John 11:2 ESV

2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.

The Urgent Message (v. 3)

John 11:3 ESV

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

Message sent by messenger

Jesus on the other side of the Jordan, at least 1 day’s journey away, perhaps up to 4

Jesus receives this message about his sick friend

Jesus’s Response (v. 4)

John 11:4 ESV

4 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.”

What do we expect Jesus to do or say?

Usually Jesus heals when he sees or hears a need

The glory of God = glory of the Son of God because God is 1

John’s Note about Jesus (v. 5)

John 11:5 ESV

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

John confirms that what Mary and Martha said in v. 3 is true. Jesus loves them.

Based on that, what do we expect in v. 6? Jesus loved them, so he went right away? or Jesus loved them so he spoke a word and healed him?

Jesus Stays instead of Going (v. 6)

John 11:6 ESV

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

The Right Time Arrives (v. 7)

John 11:7 ESV

7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

The Disciples Object (v. 8)

John 11:8 ESV

8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”

-end of chapter 10, also end of chapter 8

the Jews wanted to stone him because he claims to be God

Jesus Gives a Parable (v. 9-10)

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.”

12 hours (based on how they measured time); references to 3rd hour, 6th hour, etc.

-corresponds to Jesus’s statement in John 9:4, we must work the works of him who sent me while it is day

day=Jesus’s life and ministry, which is almost over

Jesus Uses the Sleep Metaphor and the Disciples Misunderstand (v. 11-13)

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

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.

Jesus speaks plainly (14)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,

Lazarus had been dead 4 days when Jesus finally arrived

He may have been dead before the messenger came back

Jesus expresses his purpose (15)

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

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 am glad = I rejoice

Thomas expresses his courage (16)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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

die with him = die with Jesus (not Lazarus)

back to v. 8, not v. 14

The Mutual Love of Jesus, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

There was a loving friendship between Jesus and these siblings Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They loved Jesus and Jesus loved them, and they demonstrated their love in many ways throughout the passage.

What is love? Not just a feeling (though it includes that), but sacrificial giving of oneself for the good of another. Making sacrifices to meet the needs or desires of another person.

Mary’s love demonstrated (2)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.

Lazarus referred to as Jesus’s dear friend (he whom you love — v. 3)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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

John (the author) confirms that Jesus does indeed love this family (v. 5)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

After Jesus arrives, many in the crowds interpret Jesus’s grief as a sign of love for this family (v. 36)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

Jesus’s previous encounter with Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 also demonstrated the love of these sisters for Jesus and his love for them.

John establishes very clearly the loving relationship between Jesus and this family. Part of the reason he does this is to help us understand why Jesus did what he did and what his purpose was, because Jesus’s actions in this passage seem puzzling to us if we don’t understand his loving purpose.

Jesus’s Ability to Heal Lazarus

Jesus could have healed Lazarus. He himself says so, and the sisters both express this confidence as well. Even the crowds know it. We’ve seen Jesus perform 6 signs already in John’s Gospel, so we know he is powerful. In chapter 4 he even spoke a word from 20 miles away and healed the nobleman’s son. So we know he can heal people, even with a word, and this passage confirms this truth for us.

v. 3: The Sisters send Jesus a Message (Because they want him to come heal Lazarus); Jesus may have been a day or two journey from them, or perhaps as much as 4. We know he was on the other side of the Jordan, but not how far north.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

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

Jesus expresses his ability to heal Lazarus (15)

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Martha and Mary both express the same confidence (21, 32)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

32 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.”

Many in the crowd have seen Jesus’s power demonstrated and know that he is able to heal (37)

English Standard Version Chapter 11

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

We have seen the power of Jesus demonstrated many times throughout the Gospel of John already, and the people in this passage seem to know that Jesus was able to heal Lazarus.

BUT HE DIDN’T.

Jesus’s Choice Not to Heal Lazarus (How is this Love?)

This is the tension John wants us to feel and the question he wants us to ask.

He tells us that Jesus loves them, he tells us that Jesus is able to heal Lazarus, and he tells us that Jesus chose not to heal him. How does this make sense? What kind of love is this that has the ability to meet a need and doesn’t do it?

This does not make any sense to the world, and it is a reason many people give for rejecting God altogether. Because of the suffering and death in the world around us, especially our loved ones, and even more because of our own suffering there are many that conclude that one of these things is not true.

Either God is loving but not powerful (he wants to to stop evil and suffering but he can’t)

Or God is powerful but not loving (he’s able to stop evil and suffering but he doesn’t care)

Or God just doesn’t even exist.

This is the tension John wants us to feel here.

Jesus says he loves this family.

We know Jesus was able to heal Lazarus.

But Jesus chose not to.

(We know the end of the story, how Jesus raised him from the dead — but until it happened, Mary and Martha didn’t know that’s what Jesus was going to do. As far as they knew, they had asked Jesus to help and he said no. They had asked him to come heal Lazarus, but he stayed and let him die. Jesus simply didn’t show up. And I can’t help but think that they were struggling to trust his love.)

When Jesus got their message, he gave a reply but did not do anything about it.

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

4 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.”

When these words got back to Mary and Martha from this messenger, Lazarus was almost certainly already dead. Think how these words may have sounded to Mary and Martha, knowing that Jesus could have healed their brother but he didn’t.

These verses are where John presents the tension (5-6)

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

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.

The word “so” or “therefore” in v. 6 is critical. John says that Jesus loved this family and because of his love for them he stayed where he was and did not heal Lazarus. That word “so” or “therefore” gives us the reason for Jesus’s action in v. 6, and it tells us that v. 5 is the reason. The reason Jesus didn’t go heal Lazarus is because he loved him and his sisters.

This tension will only be resolved as we understand the purpose of the sickness and death of Lazarus. We must believe that God has a good purpose in all our suffering, and Jesus shows us very clearly in this passage what that purpose is.

The Purpose of Jesus in the Sickness and Death of Lazarus

Stated purpose 1: The Glory of God / Glory of the Son of God

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

4 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.”

Just like in John 9 when Jesus tells his disciples that the blind man’s suffering was not about sin but about the glory of God

English Standard Version Chapter 11

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

-referring to the message Jesus sent with the messenger in v. 4

What is the “Glory of God”?

Who God is, his character, especially

His Power shown by His Love

His Majesty Displayed through Meekness

His Greatness demonstrated through serving

Christ, the image of God, who is himself God, and yet became one of us to suffer in our place and restore us to God

Stated purpose 2: The Faith of the Disciples, this family, and the crowds

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

English Standard Version Chapter 11

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

English Standard Version Chapter 11

42 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.”

English Standard Version Chapter 11

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him

This is One Purpose: to believe in Christ is to see his glory and have our hearts satisfied in him; and God is glorified when we see his glory — who he is — and seek our satisfaction in him.

This is saving faith, and this is the glory of God.

How does this relate to God’s Love?

God’s love means that he gives of himself to meet our greatest need and desire.

What do we need most? GOD! To see him and be satisfied in him.

We need to see and savor the glory of God in Christ more than we need physical health.

We need to be satisfied with the love of Christ more than we need any human relationship.

We need to enjoy the riches of his glory more than we need the riches of this world.

We need God more than anything.

And God has demonstrated both his power and his love by meeting our greatest need. He has done this by sending his Son Jesus Christ to take away our sin, restore us to a right relationship with God, and satisfy our hearts forever with the glory of God.

God has done this for us through Christ.

This does not seem like love to the world, but it is the greatest love. God gives us what we need most — himself. God is glorified when we see his glory and delight in it. Our souls are satisfied and God is glorified at the same time.

This is one purpose.

Do you believe?

Do you trust that God is powerful and sovereign over your suffering?

Do you trust His love?

Are you fulfilling his purpose? Glorifying God by trusting in Christ even when you don’t understand what he’s doing?

John’s Purpose for His Signs: That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing, you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)