Christ's Love in our Suffering

John 11:1-6

Praise and Prayer

If you brought your bibles turn with me over to the gospel of John chapter 11. The gospel of John chapter 11 and in a moment we are going to read verses 1-6 of the gospel of John chapter 11.

Ask; Why do Christians suffer?

5 reasons why Christians suffer. 1. We are human. 2. We live in a fallen world. 3. The Lord disciplines those He loves. 4 The Lord uses our suffering to minister to others. 5. To bring glory to God.

John 11:1–6 NASB95

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.

Background and context.

Our passage serves as a bridge in the gospel of John between Jesus ministry in the world and His journey to the cross.

With the end of chapter ten the public ministry of Jesus is over in John’s gospel. Chapters eleven and twelve focus on His relationship with this special family from Bethany, and His disciples.

There is still this underlying theme of conflict that is unresolved with the Jewish leaders. However, two chapters we are given a more intimate view of Christ and His love.

In all relationships, sometimes there are people you connect with on another level. Even in the church. You can be a part of a large congregation and love everyone who is a part of that corporate setting, and yet there are a few you develop a special bond with for whatever reason.

It was no different with Jesus. For example, He had twelve disciples but He had a closer relationship with Peter, James, and John. These were the three that accompanied Him on the Mount of transfiguration. These were the three with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It’s not that He didn’t love and care about the other disciples but He bonded with these three. Also, we are told He had an even more very special relationship with the disciple John. Throughout the gospel of John how does the author refer to himself? As the disciple whom Jesus loved!! Now, it is not that Jesus didn’t love the other disciples but His relationship with John was special.

We see this point played out after the resurrection before Christ ascends, in a conversation with Peter. John 21:18-23

John 21:18–23 NASB95

“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Well, Jesus had this same kind of close, intimate relationship with this family from Bethany; Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. We are given the impression here that He spent a lot of time with these three and they had become sort of His adopted family. It is clear Jesus loved them. In fact in Vs. 3 when the sisters sent word tom Jesus Lazarus was sick, notice what they said, “Lord behold, he whom You love is sick.”

That is what we learn from this passage; Jesus Christ our Savior can absolutely love us and yet we can still suffer in this world!!

1. Love That Knows Your Name

John 11:1–2

What we see here is that Jesus has an intimate knowledge of those He loves.

Notice Vs. 1 “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”

Notice Vs. 2, “It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.”

Perhaps we should begin by highlighting the deep and personal relationship Jesus had with this family, emphasizing the specific mention of His love for Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. This could show that even the beloved of Christ are not exempt from trials. Suggest that Jesus' intimate love doesn't mean immunity from suffering. This can comfort those struggling with feelings of being overlooked or unloved during their trials, as it reminds them that love and suffering coexist in God's divine plan.

2. Living Beyond the Loss

John 11:3–4

What we see is Jesus has a bigger vision and looks at the bigger picture than just what we are going through in this world.

Notice Vs. 3, “So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

Notice Vs 4, “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.””

You could delve into the message sent to Jesus about Lazarus, and Jesus' surprising response that "this illness does not lead to death." Perhaps explore how Jesus sees beyond immediate suffering to a greater purpose and glory. Invite the congregation to trust in Jesus' broader vision, which transcends current pain. This can help believers understand that suffering is not futile but part of God's redemptive narrative, leading to hope and assurance in Christ's ultimate victory.

3. Delay with Divine Direction

John 11:5–6

We can be certain that even though we do not understand the plan of God, He has a divine purpose for it.

Notice Vs. 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

Notice Vs. 6, “So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.”

Maybe focus on how Jesus remained two days longer after hearing of Lazarus' illness, revealing a delay that seems perplexing. Suggest that this delay is not abandonment but rather a part of a greater love with a divine purpose. Encourage the audience to find faith in God's perfect timing, which may not align with our urgent desires but leads to His accomplished will. This offers assurance that delays in Divine response are rooted in love and purpose, perfecting trust and patience.