Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #54 Jesus the Resurrection and the Life John 11

 

Jesus: Creator, Savior, Lord and King #54
Jesus the Resurrection and the Life John 11

Introduction:

With each sermon I’ve prepared as we’ve been in the Gospels, we come to a passage, text or event that is so well known that has become a part of society’s shared knowledge. Few people have not heard the name Lazarus, not because it is a common name for a newborn, but because of this story in John 11. It is so famous because it is the penultimate miracle of the book of John next only to the resurrection of Jesus himself. (if you’re not sure what penultimate means, look it up. Dictionaries are our friends.)

Jesus raised three people to life during his earthly ministry, Jairus daughter in Capernaum, the widow of Nain’s son and Lazarus. But it was this resurrection that tipped the balance and guaranteed that the Pharisees and their allies would plot, arrest, illegally try and kill Jesus. It’s not just another story in the Bible, its not just another miracle, it’s the one that begins the final countdown to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary.

Let’s go to John 11.

The Purpose and Plan of Jesus – John 11:1-16

​1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (-- It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

For The Glory of God

This passage opens with an example of why John wrote his own account of Jesus’ life even though there were three other accounts already in existence in this 1st century Roman world. We are introduced to a family of three adults, two sisters Martha and Mary, one brother Lazarus. Their parents are gone and we have no real back story on who they are other than that they live in Bethany about 2 miles from Jerusalem, they are close friends of Jesus and the apostles and that Martha the oldest, the one responsible for her family. This is the first mention of them by John, but it is obvious he expects the reader of his Gospel to already know them from the other accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke. John is writing around 95 AD, the end of the first century while the Synoptic Gospels were all written around the middle of the first century and have been circulating among the Christians for 30 or 40 years.

In verse 2, John alludes to an event that he will tell us about in the chapter 12, the anointing of Jesus by Mary, wiping his feet with her hair. That event was so famous that it outran the Gospels writings. John will talk about it in chapter 12. Luke told us of Martha and Mary early in his book and Matthew and Mark as well as John record the anointing by Mary. So this is a well-known family to the early church.

Jesus receives a letter from the sisters, John 11:3 ‘Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick’. This news comes at a difficult time in Jesus ministry, in fact he is avoiding Judea because the Pharisee are already trying to arrest and discredit him. The last time he went to Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication, he did it secretly and was almost stoned when He claimed the name of Jehovah. “I AM”

The sisters write to Jesus and they don’t even ask him to come, they simply inform Him, “Lazarus who you love is sick.” They don’t ask but it is obvious what they seek, Jesus come and heal the friend you love. Jesus tells the messenger to go back and tell the sisters, “John 11:4–5 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby’. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

 When the sister wrote Jesus and used the word love it is the word phileo, a brotherly love, a family love, the love of a friend. But here in vs. 5 John wants you to understand what is at stake and he uses the highest form of the word for love, agape, a self-giving, self-sacrificing love. Jesus loved this family deeply.

Here also we see the purpose of Jesus for all his life and specifically for this event taking place in Bethany, “for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified.” Once before he use words like that in John 9 when he healed the man born blind. He will use them again when Judas leaves the upper room and goes to betray Him.

Jesus at this time is probably still in Perea, a good two-day journey on foot. So, it took 2 days for the message to arrive and two days for it to get back. By the time it got back Lazarus was already dead. We know this because later Martha tells us, he is dead four days. Can you imagine the battle of faith that took place when they got Jesus’ message and heard “This is not unto death, but for the glory of God.”

Jesus waits two days and then tells the apostles, John 11:7–11 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, ‘Let us go into Judea again’. 8 His disciples say unto him, ‘Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again?’ 9 Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.’ 11 These things said he, and after that he saith unto them, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep’.

Here is the plan of Jesus to go deeply into enemy territory and save his friend Lazarus. The apostles tell him, “Master the Jews tried to stone you the last time and you want to go back again?”

Jesus says, “You got to work while the sun shines!” Actually, he says, John 11:9-10 Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”

I think it was my Granddad who put it in East Texas talk. “You got to work while the sun shines.” It is a statement of purpose, If the sun is shining you better be working. That is why we are on earth. “Work for the night is coming, when man works no more.” Jesus is telling us and the disciples, “My purpose is to glorify God and show that I am the Son of God, this is what I must do while there is still light to work by. Anything else would be a failure.”

The disciples say but if Lazarus is asleep then he should rest it’s the best way to get well. But Jesus seeing they misunderstood plainly says, “John 11:14-16 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” Something else that should be noted here, no one ever died in Jesus’ presence. Walking by a funeral procession of a widow women you don’t even know, “Nope, not today death.” And Jesus raises up her son. One writer said, “Jesus busted up every funeral he ever attended”

But back in Bethany, Jesus wasn’t there at Lazarus funeral, and even if he had left right when the messenger had come, it would have been too late, but again we see Jesus plan. “I’m going now so that you can believe, not that Jesus saves or is the Christ, but that you can believe more, believe greater things, that you might believe in the power of Jesus as the resurrection and the life.

In vs 16 Thomas says, Let us also go, that we may die with him.” No doubting Thomas here, no this is devoted Thomas and we should remember both.

Still living for the Glory

We would do well as followers of Jesus today, to mimic the same purpose and plan for our life as Jesus had for his life. “This is for the glory of God and that the Son of God might be glorified.”

Whenever we make a decision, a choice or commit to an action we should stop and consider, “Will this bring glory to God? Will it show Jesus to others by what I do?” it was Jesus’ purpose and he made his plans submissive to that purpose. So must we if we would honor Him.

We should work as Solomon said, in Ecclesiastes 3:13-14 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. But overlay that with the divine purpose of Jesus, “This is for the glory of God and to glorify the Son of God.”

The shoe company, Nike used to say, “Just Do it.” But Jesus says, No, Do it for the Glory of God.” Or as Paul stated it, “1 Corinthians 10: 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

They travel and we read in vs. 17 it is the sister who come strongly and passionately into our story.

The Passion and Faith of the Sisters – John 11:17-32

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

For the Love of A Friend

Now, Four days later when we come to Bethay, Lazarus probably died before Jesus had heard the first message. There are a lot of people at Martha’s home. This family seems to be well known and many people made the short journey from Jerusalem to be with them to mourn their brother’s death, a ritual that was not fully done until a year later. Martha, probably outside and sent for by Jesus,  runs to meet Him just outside of town. Mary, who is in the house, isn’t aware yet of Jesus arrival. Listen to Martha’s discourse with Jesus, there is a lesson worthy of a theology course in her words.

John 11:21-27 Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

In the middle of her pain, sorrow and loss of the brother that she probably raised, Martha stands strong in her faith in her Lord and Savior.

Matha’s Theology Lesson

Jesus Overcomes Death. Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.There is a resurrection of the dead. I know Lazarus shall rise again. 

There is a resurrection of the dead. I know Lazarus shall rise again. 

Jesus is Lord and Savior. “Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the promised Savior for this world!”

I can only hope my faith is half as strong in the times of my own sorrow and loss.

Martha returns to the house and conveys a message from Jesus to Mary. John 11:28-30 The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

You want to hear Mary’s statement of faith? Then listen to the sound of her running feet. She runs to Jesus and John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Something about Mary at Jesus feet, over and over again, we see it and should be humbled by what we see.

Mary says the same thing Martha did, Again, that’s not a reprimand, not even a regret, it is a simple statement of faith. “Death can’t survive an encounter with Jesus.” The sisters knew it and now Jesus is going to prove it beyond any one’s expectations.

Now John turns his narrative’s focus back to Jesus and we see His pain and then His power.

The Pain and Power of Jesus – John 11:33-44

  33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

For Victory Over Death

Jesus sees all the sorrow, all the pain, all the mourning for a lost loved one and John uses two words to describe it, the first in John 11:33 he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. This word, groaned, is a word that come from the sound a war horse would make in battle as it breathed out, literally it means to snort like a horse. It was a word used not so much for grief as for anger and rage. Jesus is angry at what he sees. Later we read Jesus wept but here, we read Jesus raged.

I don’t think this was due to the elaborate mourning taking place or all the people who came with Mary. I think Jesus is raging at death, sorrow and pain which is caused by sin in this world. Sin is in this world and pain, sorrow and death are sin’s servants and they always go where Sin goes.  

When people asked why would a loving God create a world with so much suffering, tell them God didn’t create this world with sin, He created it perfectly without sin and suffering. Tell them whenever Jesus saw death, he reversed it and when Jesus saw the sorrow pain and loss caused by sin, He raged against it. The suffering of this world came not from the Father of Heaven but from the Father of Lies. Put the blame where it belongs and put the praise where it belongs.

Paul said, “Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Jesus said, John 10:10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Jesus raged at the sorrow and loss caused by sin, but when he came to the tomb, the Bible says, John 11:34-35 Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept.

This word δακρύω/ dakryō, simply means to shed tears, to silently and deeply weep. The only place in all the Bible it is used, it is unique, it is special, it is love, it is loss and it is Jesus.

It is Jesus fully God and yet fully man Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

I’ve never been to a funeral where Jesus was not the center of our hope, the constant of our comfort, and the stay of our strength. How can anyone face such desperate times with Jesus who understood our pain and then overcame its cause, death and sin.

Now, look past the pain of Jesus and see the power of Jesus. John 11:38-44 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

There is no pause or hesitation, no stopping Jesus now, Martha says, “Lord its been four days, my brother’s body is decaying, corrupting and the stink of that corruption is behind that sealed stone door. Are you sure?” I don’t think this is lack of faith, I think this is surprise and shock. This is Jesus isn’t it, he doesn’t do what we expect. He is always shocking in his actions.

Jesus says to Martha, “Don’t you remember what we talked about? I am the resurrection and the life.” No, this isn’t criticism, it’s a lesson about faith, it a lesson in who Jesus is. “Martha, when you believe, you see the glory of God!”

The stone was taken away and Jesus with His eyes toward heaven and his heart toward God, prays a prayer of thanksgiving for what He knows the Father has already going to do.

John 11:41-42 Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Then he releases the power that is his, that power of who He is, the resurrection and the life! And with a loud voice he calls out, “John 11:43-44 Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”

With a loud voice, Jesus calls out, Lazarus and in the power of that command, death could not hold on to the decaying, corrupted body of His friend. That body that had begun to decompose back into dust, that body that stunk of the corruption of sin, that body that was marked as now belonging to the realm of the dead, was renewed, quickened and returned to life by the power of Jesus.

Jesus called out Lazarus come here and Lazarus with his body wrapped and linen clothe over his face came to Jesus. One ancient writer said, “Jesus had to specifically use Lazarus’ name or else the whole cemetery and all the dead in it would have risen from their graves.” It’s true because that is the omnipotent power of Jesus. And, yes, one day all the graves shall yield up their dead, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting death, but none will be able to stand against the power of Jesus, Creator, Savior, Lord and King!

Conclusion

For Jesus Or For The World

Let’s conclude with this, we won’t go into the Plot of the Pharisee in verses 47-53. I want to end this day think of Jesus power over death not the power of death over those who plotted against Jesus.

In John 11: 45 we read, “Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

And so the Word of God once again holds before us a mirror to judge ourselves by. If you had been there that day who would you have been with, those who saw and believed on Him or those who saw but went to the enemies of Jesus instead.

You may say but I wasn’t there that day, all I have is your word on what happened. And I would say, “It is not my word, it is the Word of God!” And once you hear the Word of God then you have been there, whether it was at the first day of creation, the birth of Jesus, the cross of Calvary, the tomb of His resurrection or the Great White Throne of Judgment. You and I have been there by the power of the Word of God and working the Spirit of God.

So where do you go once you’ve been there, to Jesus or to the World? Do you go to faith in the death defying, life giving, resurrecting power of Jesus? Do you deeper in your belief in the power of Jesus over sin and death? Or do you go to the world, its sin, its science, and in the end its sacrilege.

Listen once again and hear what Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. If you believe you will see the glory of God.” I intend to see it, I intend to live in that resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Bonus Point

The Plot and Persecution of The Pharisees – John 11:45-54

47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

For The Truth Or For Ourselves