To the Glory of God

Many people struggle with the seeming contradiction of belonging to God through Jesus Christ, while at the same time experiencing the negatives of life. Because God is love, we expect to be shown only positive experiences in our lives. Because we have every spiritual blessing in Christ, we assume that translates into every physical blessing, as well. Because every good gift comes from the Father of the heavenly lights, we are confused when not so good, and even terrible things come our way. It is difficult for the Christian, much less the person in the world, to try to explain or understand why tragedy comes upon God’s people.

In the summer of 2002, I had the privilege of singing with the Calvary Echoes IV Southern Gospel quartet at the funeral of 42 year-old, Martin Burnham. It was broadcast on national TV and there were FBI agents over all the grounds at the church. The public was intrigued and disturbed because a missionary was killed as a result of being kidnapped by Muslim extremists. However, those of us who belong to Jesus Christ and were at the funeral knew that this was one more opportunity for Christ to be glorified. Let me share an excerpt of this story from Foxe Voices of the Martyrs.

It was supposed to be a relaxing and romantic time, celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at a beach resort in western Philippines, but it soon turned into a nightmare. Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group, ransacked the resort and kidnaped the guests, including New Tribes missionaries, Martin and Gracia Burnham. The hostages were threatened and forced to march with their captors through the steaming jungles, trying to avoid the Philippine army that was tracking them. Martin was forced to carry bags of rice through the rain. The months of being in captivity and trudging through the jungles had worn down his boots and he slipped often. Martin never complained. He picked himself up and kept walking, even offering to help others along the way.

Martin and Gracia refused to give in to despair. They spent their time in prayer, thanking the Lord for this opportunity to minister to the other hostages and to suffer for His sake. They led the group in singing inspirational songs, and Martin even tried to share the gospel with the guerrillas. Martin risked his life for Christ and His mission to help others.

After hearing of the capture, the Philippine army increased their search for the guerrillas. As they got closer, Abu Sabaya, the leader of Abu Sayyaf, ordered his subordinates, “If the Philippine soldiers come any closer, I want you to kill the American missionaries.” Bullets flew through the air between the guerrillas and the soldiers. When the smoke cleared, Martin Burnham and a Filipino nurse were dead. Gracia Burnham had a bullet in her thigh.

Martin Burnham wasn’t afraid to die. During his time in captivity, he encouraged and strengthened the hostages, praying with and for them. Martin was thankful in all circumstances. Both Martin and Gracia were steadfast in their faith. Despite all of the tremendous difficulties, they kept their faith in Christ.

Just before his death, Martin felt the need to write a letter to his three children, ages 11-15. He shared his love and his pride for them and how he desired for them to keep their faith no matter what happens. Even at the funeral, Gracia, lovingly showed and shared the love of Christ with us and all who were present.

Today, I want us to have a firm grasp of the following statement:

We must understand that all that comes our way is for the glory of God!

Today’s message is only the first part of the events of chapter 11. We’ll continue our study next week to see the results of what we’ll be looking at today. So for now, let’s read the first 16 verses of John 11, which we’ll be looking at today.

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.

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.” This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.” The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

Presentation of Siblings - 11.1-2

As we read through this, we might almost chuckle as we read the description of this very close friend, as a certain man. Obviously, this story is not about Lazarus. Maybe that’s a good starting point for all of us; life is not about us. The problem of reconciling God’s love and goodness, alongside tragedy in our world, usually revolves around the issue of us thinking it’s all about us.

Lazarus lived in Bethany, which was in Judea. In addition, John writes that this town of Bethany is the same place where Mary and Martha lived. This would have been about one-half mile east of Jerusalem.

We might have another question; Which Mary? This name for women was quite common. John clears that up, as well. It’s the same Mary we read about elsewhere who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair. We might wonder how any of John’s readers would know about that. It’s helpful for us to remember that the Synoptic Gospels, or the first three gospels, were written before John’s Gospel, and that account was mentioned in Matthew and Mark.

Now to tie it all together, John lets them know that it is Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, who was sick.

So, whatever this sickness was, it's not about Lazarus nor even his sisters.

Problem of Sickness - 11.3-6

If we stopped at the end of verse two, we might suggest that this sickness was really no big deal. Take plenty of fluids, vitamin C and get your rest, Lazarus. However, John continues without giving too much more detail, except that Jesus says that Lazarus’ sickness is not to end in death. If it’s a cold or flu or allergy or whatever, it’s not really a big deal. Yet, that’s not the case, since Jesus mentions death in this context. In addition, even though they were good friends, why would the sisters go to the trouble to send someone to Jesus with a report about Lazarus being sick? Plus, they added the additional information that the person was he whom You love is sick. This word for love is that phileo type of love. Phileo describes a deep friendship sort of love that would do anything for the other person.

We also notice that these sisters did not describe how sick Lazarus was. Nor did they demand that Jesus come and do something about it. Yet, we might conjecture there was an understanding of the closeness of their relationship, that they are assuming Jesus will do what is necessary to make everything better.

Yet, we still haven’t figured out why Jesus mentions death. I believe it is seen in the phrase following, when Jesus explains that Lazarus’ sickness is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it. Now when we put this all together, we need to understand that sickness and death may sometimes be God’s will for His children. It is not about us; it is all about the glory of Jesus Christ! In fact, when sickness, death, or any other tragedy confronts the follower of Jesus Christ, that is not necessarily a sign of punishment or displeasure. Even here, John was quick to follow this by saying, Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. When horrible things happen to God’s people, His love and compassion for us is not lessened in any way.

However, the next sentence causes us to scratch our heads in bewilderment. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. This really goes against our perception of how love ought to respond. Most of us would hear this news, run out, and get there as fast as possible to the rescue. We certainly wouldn’t just kick back, put our feet up and have another cup of coffee. So what was Jesus doing by delaying his trip two more days? Borchert makes a comment which seems to fit into what our thinking usually looks like: Humans generally interpret any delay in rendering help as cruel because of our perspectives on the avoidance of all pain and because of our general commitment to the immediacy of action as it pertains to time.

Let’s take a bit and put our Bible geography app on, where we’ll discover that this messenger probably had to travel about a day to reach Jesus. Based upon what we will discover later in these messages, it’s entirely possible that Lazarus had already died while the messenger was enroute. Yet, Jesus stayed two more days where He is. After that, Jesus finally left for Bethany, which would mean another day of traveling. That means Lazarus could have been dead three or four days.

This is important for those who think that Lazarus wasn’t really dead. It also would have been a tremendous opportunity for Mary and Martha to really trust Jesus. Plus, it would provide the whole community the chance to see God at work through Jesus Christ.

Proverb of Sleep - 11.7-16

The two more days is over and so they get ready to go to Judea. However, the disciples remembered why they weren’t currently in Judea, which was because of the religious leaders wanting to kill Jesus. So they reminded Jesus of this information. After all, why should they take this chance when Jesus Himself stated that the sickness would not end up in death (though we know Jesus meant this to be a permanent death). In addition, Jesus had already healed someone without going to them. Wouldn’t it be safer to just stay away and take care of business? We smile as we listen to the loyal disciples reminding the God of the universe about these little bits of information; when, in fact, Jesus knew God’s timetable as to His death and all that must be accomplished first. However, it does provide a teachable moment.

So, Jesus answers with a proverb. There are those that mock this statement, suggesting that Jesus didn’t understand that daylight varied throughout the year. However, the Jewish way of looking at a day was at 12-hour increments; daytime and nighttime. In this context and that of the proverb, the daylight was the time allotment for doing the work which needed to be done. Nighttime was when the work could no longer be accomplished. While Jesus was here, daytime was the time for Jesus’ work. When nighttime occurred, Jesus would no longer be on this earth. And if Jesus was doing the Father’s work, the disciples cannot extend it and the religious leaders cannot shorten it. But when the work is accomplished, it will be in God’s timing. At this point, it appears that Jesus allowed some time for them to process these thoughts before He continues.

Jesus shares further, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep. We understand that the term sleep is used to describe the death of a follower of God. This is seen in the Old and New Testament. However, it is not always understood this way because it also refers to that time period when our bodies rejuvenate after a work day. That is why the disciples appear to be a bit confused as they think that sleeping is a good thing which will help Lazarus to become healthy again. However, John explains to us that Jesus had spoken of his death.

So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.” How did Jesus know this since he wasn’t there yet? He is God and is omniscient; He knows everything.

Then Jesus speaks of being glad that He wasn’t there. He is not being morbid. This was for their benefit that their faith might be strengthened. You see, they had already observed Jesus doing incredible miracles already. But, to raise someone from the dead, especially after several days, would definitely cause their faith to be strengthened much more. Remember that this event is nearing the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The disciples are going to need to be as strong as possible in their faith, when the crucifixion comes.

Now, we get a glimpse of Thomas doing something amazing. Many have labeled him doubting Thomas. Personally, I feel that is a bit harsh. I see in him a fierce loyalty and a strong head on his shoulders with a firm commitment to always do what is right for God and not be easily swayed. Thomas shows that he is all in with Jesus, as he says, Let us also go, so that we may die with him. He was probably convinced that heading back to Judea was a sure way to get killed. Yet, if Jesus felt they needed to go, he would go with him and die alongside Him, if need be.

Reflections

As much as we think back to Martin and Gracia Burnham, we know they loved each other and their children. Yet, they understood that it was about God’s glory and not about them.

As much as Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, he knew that it was about God’s glory and not about His very special friends.

As much as the disciples and Lazarus’ sisters, as well as many of us, may have thought that genuine love should respond with immediacy and remove sickness, they and we need to understand that genuine love is about Christ receiving glory. It’s not about our definition and perspective of love.

As much as the disciples probably felt safer and more relaxed staying where they were, their comfort and peace was not important when compared with the glory of God, when Jesus went back to where He was being hunted to do His Father’s will.

Friends, we do experience an incredible number of physical and emotional blessings on this earth that come from God. However, it’s not about us nor about our deserving anything or being owed anything. Anything good which comes to us while on this planet is a real blessing. Yet, we need to always point towards the glory of God.

Then, when horrific things come our way, according to our perspective and understanding, we shall not run away, whining and whimpering. Don’t believe for a moment that God wants to provide an escape route from the tragedy which may be upon you. Instead, look for what God may be wanting to accomplish through those horrible events and see how God can be glorified.

The world does take notice, when regardless of what comes our way, we are able to see God’s hand in action and how it will bring glory to Him. And then we proclaim glory to God!

We must understand that all that comes our way is for the glory of God!