Gospel of John - 10

Gospel of John - 10

John 11:1 – 12:50

Introduction

Local newspapers. Go through depressing articles about state of the world today.

When we hear things like this, there are two emotions that well up inside of us.

- Sadness—we mourn the loss of life, innocence, happiness.

- Anger—but when we stop to really think about it all, it really makes us mad. We can’t believe that someone could be so barbaric, so callous, so evil.

These two emotions are really tied together. Have you ever been so sad that you get angry at the injustice? And conversely, have you ever been so angry about something that when the fury settled, all you could do was cry about it? Emotion overtakes us.

Why do you think those emotions are like that? Where do we get those? Well, those are stamped onto our souls by our Creator.

TS—Here is how I know that—Jesus exhibited this same thing. He shows both emotions when he personally experiences loss. Turn to John 11.

If you are going to try to begin to memorize scripture, John 11:35 is the place to start. Why? Because it is only two words. Jesus wept. Jesus is in front of the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who has died only a few days before. Jesus wept. And this isn’t just a tear or two. The word literally means that he sobbed in anguish.

And as much as we might talk about these two words, Jesus wept, there is something else we miss that happens right before all this.

- John 11:33—he was deeply moved in his spirit.

We read that and think that Jesus was so ‘touched.’ Well, sort of. This phrase was originally used to refer to a horse that would grunt during battle. It is a word that conveys intense anger.

Jesus was ticked. He was angry at all of this. Why was he angry? Furthermore, why was he sad? What was it about this event that brought out these two emotions? Well, there is any easy answer to that. His friend died.

TS—But there is so much more going on here in this story (and afterwards) and so much more than just a death that brings out these emotions in Jesus. Let’s begin in John 11:1 and talk through this story together.

- John 11:1-3

o This is not some random guy. This is Lazarus—the one Jesus loves. Jesus healed a lot of random people, but not this time. If you are Mary and Martha, you fully expect Jesus to come heal him.

- John 11:4

o Right at the get-go, Jesus declares a promise that Lazarus’ story will not end in death. This is the 7th and final sign that John records…and it is the by far the most glorious one. All of the signs and discourses crescendo right here.

- John 11:5-6

o Even though he loved them, he still stayed.

- John 11:11, 14-15

o Disciples question why Jesus is going to Judea—after all he had almost been killed there.

o So, Jesus lets something happen so that it will increase their faith. Jesus says he is glad things happened this way because he wants them to see what he is about to do, and it will increase their faith.

o And john wants his readers to see it as well…his absolute glory and power over even life and death.

- John 11:17

o Here is why this is recorded. Jewish belief held that the spirit of a deceased person hovered around the body for three days and then left. So, the implication is that by the time Jesus gets there, it is too late.

- John 11:21

o “If you had been here…” Aren’t we guilty of doing this same thing when tragedy strikes? How could God allow this? Where were you? Why didn’t you stop this? From a human perspective, this completely makes sense.

- John 11:23-24

o Jesus declares—your brother will rise again. Sure he will, but not right now. It will happen someday, but not yet.

- John 11:25-26

o I Am. One of the Predicate I Am statements.

o You want to know why Jesus is angry and sad? This is it right here. Because death is never his will. He is the resurrection and life. Death is contrary to who he is.

o Death is not who Jesus is. He is life. And he is angry and upset because this is not how things are supposed to be. And isn’t that why we get sad and angry with things in our world?

- There is a part of us that inherently knows—this is not how things are supposed to be. People aren’t supposed to die young. Viruses shouldn’t randomly take lives. People should never be afraid of people who abuse them. Life is not supposed to be this way.

o There’s something in us that tells us that death is not the norm – it’s not how things are supposed to be.

o But even with all of that in mind, I want you to notice the irony of Jesus’ words. He comes into a situation of death and declares that he is life. Wait a minute, how can that be? Lazarus in a tomb, rotting for 4 days.

- Isn’t there a part of us that lives in that tension of knowing, trusting and believing in Jesus as the resurrection and life without actually seeing it? I know Jesus has to be the resurrection and the life, but you know what, that is not what I see going on around me. I hear these words and they sound great, but how can they be true?

o Jesus says these words and they are kind of callous. We are quick to skip ahead and see the end of the story; they are living in the tension of the moment.

o And you know, Jesus not only says these words, he pointedly asks Martha to buy into them.

o V. 26 - ‘Do you believe this?’ And she says yes.

- John 11:32

o Martha believes all this, but here comes Mary. She says the same thing as Martha said earlier. If you would have been here.

o And then Jesus goes to where Lazarus has been put into his tomb.

- John 11:37

o Jesus weeps and is angry. And the others around him notice his turmoil and sadness.

o But notice what some others say—he could have done something.

- You know, throughout this whole story, there has been a little discontent with Jesus. And little tension between him and those involved here.

o If you would have been here…

o He could have done something…

- And isn’t that all a little understandable? I mean, their brother has just died; it’s too late now. And Jesus, the only one who can do anything about it was noticeably absent from the scene.

o And once he does get there, he speaks the ludicrous statement of the year—I am the resurrection and life.

o This statement is harsh and cruel and, in this context, it is absolutely rude. Why? Because Lazarus is dead. This statement is incongruent with reality.

TS—Unless…it’s really true. Unless Jesus is going to act on this and do something about it. I mean, He can say this all he wants, but if Lazarus stays in the tomb, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. It means nothing. Unless, well, unless he does what He is about to do.

- John 11:38-44

o “I am the resurrection and the life.” Yup. He does here what no one else can do. He brings death to life.

o Everything they said Jesus didn’t do or couldn’t do—he did it. Jesus promised that Lazarus’ story would not end in death – and it didn’t.

TS—So what do we need to take away from this?

- Well, obviously we could take away that Jesus has incredible power. That is certainly true. After all, He just did what no one else could do – He did what no one else said was possible. He raised a man to life! He conquered death. That’s incredible and unimaginable power! But there is something deeper going on here, a lesson I think we really need to learn today.

- You see, we have this tendency to neglect the present. Here is what I mean by that.

o Past—things were great then. Life was simpler when. I long for the days of.

o Future—life will be great when…marriage, kids, job, retirement, etc.

• We even do this with our faith.

• When I got baptized, I had such a fire for Jesus. When I got saved, life was great. Life took on a bigger meaning then.

o Other tendency is also to say that this world stinks. I can’t wait until Jesus comes back and we get out of here. Life will be great then.

- That is what Mary and Martha had done.

o They lived in the past - “Jesus, if you would have been here then…”

o They look forward to the future - “I know he will rise eventually at the resurrection…”

• But they miss the present, which is a total travesty. Because here’s what happens.

- Jesus steps into the situation and says…

o Not—I was the life, or I will be the life.

o I AM the resurrection and life. Right here and right now.

o And in this story Jesus is not concerned with what he could have done or what he will be doing in the future, but with what he is doing right now.

- But when we think about Jesus, we are not necessarily concerned with what he is doing right now.

o We talk a lot about what Jesus has done for us and what he will do for us at his return, in heaven, etc.

o But what I think is primary on Jesus’ heart right now is right now. In this year, this month, week, day, hour, minute and even second, Jesus wants to do something in you, to you, and through you to give you life. To allow you to truly live.

o After all, that’s what Jesus did for Lazarus. He gave His friend life in that moment. He didn’t dwell on what could have been done in the past. He didn’t focus on what He was going to do in the future. He gave Lazarus life right then and right there.

- I want to leave this chapter with a couple of questions – questions we all need to be asking ourselves if all this is true.

o Number one, what is Jesus doing in your life right here and right now? If this is all true, if Jesus is involved with us today, then what is He doing in your life? Specifically, what are you allowing Him to do? How is He changing you?

o Number two, if this is true, then what are you doing for Jesus right now? What work are you doing for the Kingdom? How are you bringing Heaven to earth right here and right now? Because, here’s the deal: if you’re going to be a part of what God is doing, it cannot wait – God is at work right now.

o Do you believe this?

TS – so that is the end of the signs and discourses. John has valiantly communicated the identity of Jesus, as evidenced by these miracles, and from Jesus’ own words in the discourses. Now, he will chronicle for us in the back half of chapter 11 and chapter 12…the results of Jesus making clear his identity…are disastrous.

John 11:45-54

- John is brilliant in how he puts together his Gospel. He completes the signs and discourses, which are meant to articulate to us who Jesus is and what he has done…so that we may believe. He immediately indicts the Jewish leaders…their reaction to it is rejection.

- V. 55 – the Passover is at hand…this is the Passover where Jesus is crucified. There is much to cover in John, but the rest of it is the last week of Jesus’ life.

John 12:1-8

- Contrast of belief and unbelief. Mary worships Jesus. But Judas rejects.

John 12:9-11

- Do you see what John is doing? He immediately communicates multiple accounts of rejection of Jesus.

- V. 12-19 is the Triumphal Entry

o Yet again, the contrast of belief and unbelief.

o The courtroom motif is evidenced again…

• V. 15 – Zechariah 9:9 – OT witnesses

• V. 17-18 – crowd witnesses…based on the sign

• V. 19 – Pharisee rejection

John 12:20-26

- Greeks seeking Jesus…hint of what is to come…Gospel to the Gentiles

- V. 23 – hour has come…finally arrived at what we’ve been building to.

- V. 24 – death is the engine of life

o We know this from farming…natural law. Food we eat was once alive but had to be severed from life…gives us life.

o Spiritual law as well. Jesus’ death is the engine of life.

- V. 25 – loves/hates life (psuche) v. eternal life (zoe)

John 12:27-36a

- V. 27 – for this hour I have come…purpose is to give his life (v. 47b)

- V. 28 – 3rd time Father speaks in Jesus’ life. Baptism and Transfiguration. This one is largely unknown.

- V. 34 – continued misunderstanding and blindness to truth of Jesus’ identity.

- V. 35-36 – light/darkness motif

John 12:36b-43

- Continued indictment of Jews in their rejection of Jesus. John is setting before us the negative example. Though they had seen the signs and rejected…now you should see the same signs and believe.

- V. 39-40 – could not believe? God responds to rejection with rejection. He hardens their heart. Did the same with Pharaoh in Egypt.

o Romans 1:18-32

o V. 24,26,28 – God gave them over. Passive rejection.

- V. 42 – John’s goal is to declare Jesus innocent and those who accuse him as guilty.

John 12:44-40

- This is Jesus’ final public address. The rest of the week will be spent with his disciples only.

- These verses serve almost as a summary of all Jesus has taught us so far.

o God sent him (v. 44)

o Belief in Jesus = belief in God (v. 44)

o Light and Darkness (v. 46)

o Came to save (v. 47)

o Judgement is coming (v. 48)

o Speaks on Father’s behalf (v. 49)

o Goal is eternal life (v. 50)

- This is now the end of Jesus’ public ministry. He will now focus on the disciples and finishing their preparation for his departure.

Application

- Revisit Lazarus – do you believe this? Are you so focused on what the Lord is doing that you are able to live in the present?

o To be defined by hope does not mean we have our head in the clouds.

o Too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good? No. Only those who are heavenly minded are of any earthly good.

o If focus only on life now, end up selfish and focusing on all you can get now. If focus on eternity, frees you to focus on life now in things that matter forever.

- Who do you know who has rejected Jesus? How can you pray for them?

- Mary anointing Jesus with oil…extravagant generosity. How can you live that out?

- What is your quality of life (zoe)? Do an inventory…is there Christian quality to it?