He is Our Life
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsDeath is certain and sorrowful, but life eternal is found in Christ for now and forever.
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TITLE: He is Our Life
TEXT: John 11.1-27, The Death of Lazarus
INTRODUCTION:
Last week, we concluded John 10 with yet another teaching moment leading to the Jewish people picking up stones to kill our Lord. They did so not because Jesus’ claims were obscure or cryptic, but because His claims were crystal clear.
Once again, their attempts to arrest Him or kill Him failed since the timing of such things were not up to them. The hour for Him to lay His life down on His own accord had not yet come.
He departed across the Jordan River to remain for some time, and many came to Him believing in who He had revealed Himself to be - Yahweh.
Context for Beginning John 11
The end of John 10 marks the final portion of Jesus’ public ministry recorded by the apostle in this Gospel account. Notice how the previous chapter ends.
40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
Our Lord’s ministry shifts here from a public focus to a more personal focus with His disciples. He retreats to the region of Perea (meaning “beyond the Jordan) which was east of the Jordan River and south of Galilee. It was here that many came to Him confirming what John the Baptist claimed concerning Jesus was true, and they entrusted themselves to Him.
ILLUSTRATION: Vantage Point
One of the more unique movies I have ever seen is a movie called Vantage Point. In this movie, you see the same situation unfold from four different peoples’ perspective. Each perspective reveals more about what is actually going on that you likely have not yet realized. From each main character, you get a different view of what is truly happening.
In this narrative at the beginning of John 11, we see something very similar.
In the context of Lazarus’ death, we will see the vantage point of Mary and Martha, sorrowful sisters we are trying to save their brother.
We will see the perspective of our Lord Jesus who was already working in ways they did not yet comprehend.
Finally, the disciples express their view as well further showing they were still in much need of instruction.
MAIN IDEA:
God is sovereignly working in all things to bring about His glory and to lead the dead in sin to eternal life in His name.
OUTLINE:
God’s work is for His own glory (v.1-4)
God’s perfect timing is for our benefit (v.5-16)
God’s Son gives us life eternal (v.17-27)
PRAYER
1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 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.”
God’s work is for His own glory (v.1-4)
God’s work is for His own glory (v.1-4)
John opens this transitionary part of his Gospel account in focusing on a “certain man” and his illness - Lazarus of Bethany.
Naturally this leaves us with a couple questions that must be resolved before proceeding together this morning.
Who was Lazarus?
LAZARUS was the brother of Mary and Martha. This man is only mentioned directly in John’s Gospel, but his close relationship with Jesus is undeniable based on what we see here in this passage.
Who were Mary and Martha?
MARY and MARTHA were the sisters of Lazarus. In Luke’s Gospel, we see a separate interaction where Jesus was welcomed into their home. Martha worked herself busy to serve her guest while Mary sat the Jesus’ feet and listened to Him teach.
Further in v.2 here, we see a snapshot from another previous interaction that John actually records in John 12.
2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
Where was the village of Bethany?
Lazarus’ family lived in BETHANY, a village about to miles from Jerusalem on the southeast side of the Mount of Olives (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
So Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, has fallen ill, and his sisters are faced with a problem they can do nothing themselves to solve. Lazarus is sick and is not improving.
(v.3) What’s the Plan?
ILLUSTRATION:
From an engineering perspective, whenever you are designing something, there are certain requirements that must be upheld so that the final product operates as intended. Whenever these requirements are not being satisfied, you will often find the person in charge asking - What is the plan? What are we doing to solve this problem?
Mary and Martha’s Perspective
The sisters “sent to him”, meaning they sent a message to him through another person. This as well highlights the closeness of their friendship. They know where he is located with His disciples and that He would want to know what is occuring with Lazarus.
They tell Him - John 11:3 “3b “Lord, he whom you love is ill.””
This was a moment of desperation! They call our Lord back to a region where they likely knew that many were seeking to kill Him. But…they knew that His presence would not only be comforting to them, but that His presence would possibly be impactful for Lazarus.
If He could only be there, then maybe their brother’s life would be spared. By now, we can assume they certainly know much from His ministry. If anyone could help, it was Jesus.
Jesus’ Perspective
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.”
It is naturally difficult for us to understand our Lord’s response here. If not carefully considered with the entire passage in mind, we could walk away thinking that Jesus cares not for His close friends, but that is certainly not the case.
Instead, our Lord reveals that there is a grander purpose to this situation.
“This illness does not lead to death…” (v.4a)
In reading this first part of Jesus’ response, my mind went to both the foretelling of Jesus’ birth (Luke 1) and His resurrection (Matthew 28) where the angels told them “Do not be afraid”.
Everyone else here is rightfully concerned for Lazarus’ life, but Jesus declares that this illness does not lead to death. They need not fear this reality no longer.
Then comes a statement that is difficult for us when considering suffering…
“It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (v.4b)
Hold up… Lazarus’s illness was purposed to bring God glory?? Yes, that is exactly right.
Jesus here is not indifferent to the suffering of His friends. He is not callous to their plight. Later in this passage, it is all the more clear when He weeps after arriving back in Bethany to his dear friend dead.
Instead, Jesus knew the ultimate outcome ahead and the purpose for which all of this was happening.
Does God work for His own glory?
This may seem difficult for us to comprehend: God working for His own glory. In a human sense, we would deem this to not be a good attribute of someone.
Example: If you asked “Seth, why are you a pastor?”… and I replied “Well, I do it to glorify myself”… I would hope you would be finding another church.
But if we consider such an idea in light of whom God has revealed Himself to be in His Word, the idea becomes very appropriate for someone like God.
His Creation for His Glory - Psalm 19:1 “1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
His Work Among the People for His Glory
9 “For my name’s sake I defer my anger;
for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,
that I may not cut you off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,
for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.
Isaiah 60:21 “21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.”
His Saving For His Glory
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
To say that the chief aim of God in Lazarus’ illness is that God and His Son might be glorified is not arrogant, it is not proud, and it is not selfish. It is in perfect alignment with the character of God who works in all things to magnify His great name as Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.
APPLICATION:
Our Suffering for His Glory?
Some of us have either been through difficult situations in the past, are walking through them now, or such difficulties await us in our future. That is a difficult reality of this fallen world.
In the moment, we may find ourselves considering how God is actually glorified through our suffering? Wouldn’t He be more glorified if we were not hurting and able to serve him better? If we would just be relieved from this trial, we could love and serve Him and others better, right?
These are fair questions, but it misses an important, clear distinction:
CCE, Exalting Jesus in John
Exalting Jesus in John Mary’s and Martha’s Plan (John 11:1–16)
Nothing happens by chance. Nothing is without purpose. Whether sorrow, sickness, or death, nothing happens to you that God does not permit for a reason. You will encounter no situation in life in which God cannot be glorified
We naturally do not think in this manner. We believe that God can be the most magnified through us when we are the most capable for Him. Consider the apostle Paul with me.
From 2 Corinthians we know that Paul had a “thorn in His flesh” that physically limited him. When asking the Lord for delivery from it, this was the Lord’s response.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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. 10 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 is most glorified in us when we are loving Him with all we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves regardless of our present circumstances.
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. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 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.” 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. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
God’s perfect timing is for our benefit (v.5-16)
God’s perfect timing is for our benefit (v.5-16)
We see our understanding from the previous verses confirmed here at the beginning of this section. Jesus loved His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In verse 3, there used by Mary and Martha to describe His love (phileō) ranges from a general emotion to deep love.
The apostle changes terms here to (agapaō) which is used to describe a deep level of affection. This distinction by John makes the next couple verses potentially hard for us to understand.
6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
He loved them dearly… so after receiving their message of desperation, He stayed two more days across the Jordan.
When we hear of a dear friend or family member in trouble, we tend drop everything and go to their aid immediately.
ILLUSTRATION: My Parents
Many of you know what my family has been through the past few months with my parents and their health complications. Praise the Lord they are doing well now, both improving each day.
But when you get that call saying something has happened, everything that was so important that day immediately becomes vastly less important.
Now…I am not encouraging you to wait two days the next time you receive and emergency call from friends of family. Instead, I am trying to highlight something more specific - Jesus’ waiting was purposeful. Because He loved them dearly, He waited. Because His glory and His love are not at odds with one another, He waited.
(v.8-10) The Disciples Concern
Jesus’ desire to return to Judea is not exactly shared by His disciples. They knew their joint return could be very dangerous for them all.
John 8:59 “59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”
John 10:31 “31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.”
Jesus answers their concern with words of encouragement. The presence of light during the day keeps a person from stumbling, while the night offers great opportunity for stumbling since the light is absent. You may remember a previous similar saying back in John 9.
4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
In light of their concerns for personal safety, this is what our Lord means.
Meaning - As long as they are with Him, the light of the world, and as long as He continued walking faithfully in accordance with the Father’s will, no one could touch Him until his hour arrived. Additionally, He was with them and was their light.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts a. The Announcement of Death (11:1–16)
His presence was their illumination; when he was removed, they lost their sense of spiritual direction, as Peter’s denial and Thomas’s incredulity demonstrated.
(v.11-16) Jesus’ Purpose
His disciples do not understand Jesus’ greater purpose here. After some confusion, Jesus finally tells them plainly that Lazarus has died, which is why they are returning to Judea.
Then Jesus once again reveals another portion of His greater purpose in this narrative.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
Purpose of His Waiting #1 - No Misunderstanding
Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do in returning to Judea following Lazarus’ death. So he purposefully arrived when Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. In this point in Jewish history, rabbis taught that the soul hovered near the deceased for 3 days after death and then returned to God (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
Meaning on the fourth day, there was not question of possible deception or resuscitation of Lazarus. Jesus wanted there to be no confusion - Lazarus was indeed dead.
Purpose of His Waiting #2 - For their Spiritual Benefit
Jesus tells them “I’m glad that I was not there”. Being all knowing, certainly Jesus knows that by this time, Lazarus has died. He is not saying “I am glad Lazarus died”… instead Lazarus’ death would be a wonderful opportunity for their belief in Him to be strengthened.
This is the same term here for BELIEVE that was have discussed multiple times now. This is an entrusting to someone or something based on truthfulness and reliability (Lexham Theological Workbook).
Our Lord knew that death was powerless before Him! Therefore, He would return to Bethany where everyone knew Lazarus to be dead, and then He would be glorified as the faith of those close to Him would be strengthened, emboldened.
Snapshot of Thomas (v.16)
John 11:16 “16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.””
This is our first introduction to Thomas in John’s Gospel, later to be nicknamed “Doubting Thomas”. His words here are simply acknowledging the real danger that awaited them near Jerusalem. If Jesus was returning, He would surely be killed, and His disciples would surely share in His peril.
APPLICATION:
For some of us, there will be moments in our lives where our trial, our plight, our suffering, our illness may be great. And our Lord who loves us deeply and whose timing is always perfect, will allow us to wait.
In our waiting, we will likely be tempted to give way to despair or far worse begin to doubt the Lord’s promises.
Now please do not misunderstand me this morning - I am not teaching us that because Lazarus is going to be raised from the dead (spoiler alert), that your trial or suffering will be relieved.
Instead this is the application for us - Our trial or suffering could be short or it could, like Paul’s, last the rest of our lives in this earth. BUT take heart today Christian, the Lord is working through it all for our spiritual good.
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
On our best days and our worst, He who chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, who called us our of darkness into His marvelous light, He who began a good work in us will surely bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ….He alone is truly faithful.
He is not caught of guard nor does His work in us stall when suffering finds its way to our doorstep. On the contrary, that is when our faith is truly tested and our trust in Him is bolstered.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 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.”
God’s Son gives us life eternal (v.18-27)
God’s Son gives us life eternal (v.18-27)
This final portion of today’s text includes our Lord’s arrival in Jerusalem and a short conversation between Martha and Jesus. Many of the Jewish people had arrived from Jerusalem to console the family following Lazarus’ death.
Now before we get too much further, we need to propose a question. Let’s look back at verse 4 together.
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.”
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.
Jesus said this illness does not lead to death, and yet Lazarus died. Should we be concerned here? Did Jesus error in his wording? Certainly not, but keep this in mind as we press forward together.
Martha’s Address (v.21-22)
When Martha hears Jesus is coming, she does not hesitate, but hurries out to meet Him. This was perfectly in line with what we understand from their personalities based on Luke 10, Martha working tirelessly while Mary sat at our Lord’s feet to listen.
Martha’s words to Jesus reveal much about what she believed.
John 11:21 “21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Martha knew that Jesus of Nazareth controlled life itself! She knew that He brought renewal and transformation by His words alone, and this was true! We have seen this many times already across this Gospel account.
Jesus Heals the Official’s Son
49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.
Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath.
Martha knew that the Words of Jesus were powerful! This is a great testimony of Her trust in the Lord and not a rebuke for His later arrival. Even now, when every part of her plan has failed to save her brother, she knows that whatever Jesus asks of the Father will be granted.
APPLICATION: Faith During the Storm
Martha’s example for us this morning is one we should not so easily forget. Her brother is dead! The emergency rescue plan…failed. Jesus showed up late according to what they thought they needed.
“But even now I know…”
Martha’s circumstances, although horrible, did not change who God is. Even in her time of mourning, God was still loving, gracious, kind, long suffering, comforting, merciful, faithful, just, trustworthy, and worthy of her praise.
Believer… do not let the circumstance of your life cause you to doubt our great God! What you are enduring right now…tomorrow…next week… next year…He knows this is going to happen! It is not a surprise to Him.
The question remains for us today - Are we going to begin questioning His goodness and His grace, or are we going to confidently declare: Lord, I know you can do whatever you desire! Glorify your name in whatever way you see fit in my life.
(v.23-26)
“Your brother will rise again.”
A foreshadowing promise for what we will see next week in the next part of John 11. Martha agrees with our Lord’s statement, but not in the manner in which He meant it.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
Martha shared the Jewish belief (taught by the Pharisees) of an eventual resurrection for the righteous and just. Thus, her response here is merely a confirmation of Jewish belief, which is not the purpose of Jesus’ statement.
Jesus then speaks the fifth “I Am” statement of the Gospel of John with the following intention: Life is found in Him alone. Both now and forever.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Back to our question from earlier
Did Jesus speak in error concerning Lazarus’ death?
No, Lazarus’ ultimate end would not be death. “The one who believes in Christ has eternal life that transcends physical death” (EBC).
Yes, one day death would be His physical end, as it will for each one of us if our Lord does not return in our lifetime. BUT…for the one whose confidence is Christ alone, the grave is not the end.
Just as He was the Good Shepherd in John 10 that gathers His sheep, in John 11 He is the source of life both now and forever.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: John and Acts b. The Conversation with Martha and Mary (11:17–37)
Jesus was saying that he embodied the resurrection life that could overcome death and that believers would be assured of an inheritance in the age to come
(v.27) A question for us all
Jesus’ concluding question in v.26 still rings across the world today as His church faithfully carries forth the mission He gave us.
“Do you believe this?”
APPLICATION: GOSPEL
Believer, do you believe this?
Unbeliever, do you believe this? Today is the day of salvation.
27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
MAIN IDEA:
God is sovereignly working in all things to bring about His glory and to lead the dead in sin to eternal life in His name.
