The Resurrection and the Life Pt. 1

Introduction

Almost a month ago, we celebrated Easter, which is the most important day of the year for the Christian, as it is the day that Jesus rose from the grave almost 2000 years ago, once and for all showing us that yes indeed He has power over the grave, Yes indeed, He was and is God. Yes indeed, We can trust every single Word and promise that He has ever told us in His Word. Which includes some of the words that we will read today. That He is the resurrection and the life. He is the source of eternal hope, eternal life. Eternal peace. Nowhere and from no one else can we find such a claim and find it to be true. Still despite all the witnesses, all the accounts, all the proof in the pudding, many will and have rejected Him. In fact, we can even say those that not have rejected Him (believers, Christians, His disciples, us) can knowingly or unknowingly choose the lies and deceit that the enemy, Satan, brings to us. Church Family, my prayer is that we would be a people that are continually growing towards Christ, growing in Christ Likeness, and at every turn saying more of Jesus and less of me so that His glory can abound and rule would be known on earth just as it is in heaven. I pray that each and every one of us approach God with fully surrendered hearts to God who will never deny Jesus, our God who gave up His life for you that you would live.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

Context

In last week’s text, we saw Jesus teach about the difference between a good shepherd (who seeks the good and benefit of the flock) and the bad shepherd (who seeks to get every morsel and once out of the flock that they can). In this, He showed them that He was the good shepherd, who seeks the good of all of humanity to come to The Father, which was unlike many of the religious leaders of His day, and yes every day before and even up till now. He was and is and will always be the good shepherd, the best shepherd, who laid down His own life for all believers, all disciples benefit.

As you would expect, the religious elite didn’t like this teaching, and once again tried to have Him killed from this, but as once again it was not yet His time to die for us, He escaped them unharmed. All the people, who should have listened to Him and been the first to jump on board with Him, tried to kill Him. Meanwhile, He went across the river Jordan where John the Baptist had been Baptizing. There He found many people who were indeed willing to hear God’s testimony, believe in the miracles Jesus had performed, hear John’s testimony, and believe that truly this Jesus had to be their messiah.

In today’s text, we move into what many would call the most profound miracles that Jesus performed within the Gospel according to John. As you will remember, we spoke about this at the beginning of this sermon series, The Gospel of John itself has 2 sort of grand divisions. The first is commonly known as “The Book of signs,” which includes chapters 1-11; the next is “The book of glory.” So, after this chapter, we will see less of Jesus performing miracles and wonders in His ministry and more of Him giving His final teachings on the way the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.

In this scripture, despite the clear evidence of Jesus being the Christ, from the miracle He performed, still He did so in front of a mixed audience. Some recognized Him for He who is, some were unsure, and some were very much against Him. It just goes to show and this is a lesson that we all must learn and even recognize in ourselves that: Mankind often sinfully prioritizes itself over our loving God. So, let’s jump in and see what happens. Today, From the text, I want you to to see and understand these truths that inform you about our relationship with Jesus, who is The Resurrection and The Life.

Message

The first truth to see and understand about your relationship is that: Jesus brings light to our eyes 1-16

11 Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”4 When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. 7 Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”8 “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?” 9 “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.” 11 He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.” 12 Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.” 13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. 14 So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. 15 I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (called “Twin”[a]) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.”

Our story begins with the rementioning of 3 of Jesus’ friends who had become followers of His who lived in the city of Bethany, the siblings Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Lazarus was very sick, so his sisters had word sent to Jesus that He might come to them. Now, the person delivering the word to Jesus wouldn’t have known it, but Lazarus actually died shortly after he began the journey to Jesus. Jesus knew what this was for, He knew that Lazarus would die, but would be raised again, and it would all be done for God’s glory. However, the disciples did not yet understand and they did not understand Jesus’ power and authority fully yet, all they understood that Lazrus was sick and Jesus desired to go see them soon. His disciples were… let’s say not excited to go back to Bethany, because of the treatment they and Jesus had received last time they were there from the Jews.

However, Jesus taught them the importance of bringing the light of God whe nit was time to do it, the light of salvation that can only be found in Jesus to the messiah when God has given you charge to do so. Still though, they didn’t want to go, supposing that Lazarus would get better, so Jesus speaks plainly to them. He is dead, and for your sake, I’m glad I wasn’t there. It was time for their lessons in faith to become super charged, and this miracle would be a step in that, so Jesus knowing would come soon after He does this, (the events that would lead to His arrest and death) was still glad for it, as it was all part of The Father’s plan, and as you will remember, Jesus is all about fulfilling The Father’s Plan no matter what. The disciples here, with Jesus resolved to go, resolved to go himself, leading the charge among them, let’s follow Him, even if we die.

Did you notice here, how much Jesus always makes a big deal to His followers (including us, including you) to bring light wherever you go. This light, often means the truth and goodness. It also means the truth and goodness in salvation of The Gospel. Here in particular, Jesus is also alluding to getting at God’s will and mission for your life when it is time, not dilly dallying and delaying. Jesus is with them right then, they were safe so long as they were with them! So, we are to, just as Jesus did, go wherever whenever Jesus bids us to share the goodness and light with others. Jesus Himself, the light of the world, brings light to our eyes; revealing the shadows and darkness of our sin that was hidden to us and empowers us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to overcome each and ever one of them. So then, do you, follower of Christ, walk as a person who has light within your eyes or do walk as one in the darkness, constantly fumbling and tripping over the traps the enemy satan has laid for you? Do you ever delay or procrastinate in following God’s will and mission He has led you to and put you into? Don’t be so sure of yourself, because know this, Mankind often sinfully prioritizes itself over our loving God. This means, You, I often sinfully prioritize ourselves over our loving God. Do you see where you are doing that? And are you asking The Holy Spirit to lead you in correcting it to God’s Glory? If not, repent. If so, continue on to glory.

Then past that comes the issue of discerning God’s will for yourself and your life. Let me give you some hints. 1st, The general layout will be found within The Word of God (your bible) 2, Your Example to follow is Jesus Himself. 3rd, The Mission is to Be the Kind of Disciple that Loves God, Loves People, and Makes Disciples. 4th, Let the Holy Spirit be your Guide (you will hear from Him more and know His voice more as you remove sin from your life and pursue God). 5th, Ask God to make clear to you in Prayer. 6th, and here is a bit of an old saying, “When God bolts the door, don't try to get in through the window. The will of God never will lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”

With that, let’s move on to:

The next truth to see and understand is that: Belief gives resurrection and life 17-27

17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles[b] away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been dead for 4 days. It was important for Jesus in this miracle, to give everyone the opportunity to see that this was indeed a miracle without a doubt. This was no mere healing or resuscitation. In fact, the 4 days would have important to the religious teaching of the day, as (I don’t know the truth or evidence of this, just that it was commonly taught among the rabbi’s) they believed the soul came out of a person and hovered above the body intending to come back in, but at the first sign of decay, typically 3 days it went away. Again, i’m not saying this is true or biblical, just that it was believed at the time. So, coming back to life after being supposed to be dead after 4 days would have been impossible.

Jesus comes to the sisters, and they are well attended by comforters. Martha went quickly to meet Jesus and look what she does, she grieves for her brother and expresses her sadness at Jesus’ lack of presence and action to help her family. Still though, she says, I know who you are, I know that whatever you ask from God, He will give you. Jesus says, do not fear, your brother will rise again. “Well, I know that already, I know He will rise on the last day for He was a follower and lover of you.” Jesus tells here, listen, I am both the resurrection (yes) but I am also the life (I have authority over both). Everyone who believes in me even if their body perishes their spirit will live forever. Do you believe this Martha? Yes Lord. I believe you are the Messiah, the son of God, who comes into the world.

Isn’t it beautiful here, how even in this hard moment of Grief for this sister, Jesus can and will redeem the moment for her better and for everyone who is watching. Yes, God works all things for Good for those that love him. This reminds me of a story I heard about from a book written by Marilyn J. Abraham, it was her and her husband who went out to radically change their life and enjoy it together in their late years, and in that journey they went to a national park and took a guided tour with a park ranger. In the tour, the ranger told them, “a remarkable thing: when a tree's life is threatened, stressed by the elements of fire, drought, or other calamity, it twists beneath its bark to reinforce and make itself stronger. On the surface, this new inner strength may not be visible, for the bark often continues to give the same vertical appearance. Only when the exterior is stripped away, or when the tree is felled, are its inner struggles revealed." God can use our grief to strengthen us in ways that are not visible to the world.”

What Jesus said here, wasn’t Jesus Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. It’s for us to, it’s for every person that you have ever met or will ever meet. Every person that has ever been born or ever will be born. This is that everyone who believes in Jesus (as savior, messiah, Lord) even if their their body knows the decay of the body that our chosen rebellion against God through our sin has brought upon us, even though the body may perish, the soul lives on and will only God’s love and good pleasure for eternity. This is what mankind has been longing for ever since it was separated from it in the Garden of Eden. Belief brings Resurrection and life. Remember this, for many of your neighbors and friends have rejected this or even that they need it. Why? Because Mankind often sinfully prioritizes itself over our loving God. So then, don’t be the kind of disciple that simply sits around and doesn’t go about God’s will that every person should be saved. Be the kind of disciple that prioritizes Loving God, Loving God, and Makes Disciples.

When we finish out this text next week together, we will see another example of how In the face of a great and loving God, how mankind is sinfully very capable of prioritizing ourselves over Him. In the meantime, let us each do our best to prioritize God over ourselves.

Conclusion

With all of that being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God, though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do is accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

Next week, we will move into the conclusion of this dramatic miracle that Jesus is about to perform. For now, I want us all to take a moment, and think on your love of Jesus. What the means to you. And should their be any reason you think you need to come forward for prayer, the altar is open.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.