Alliance Church
April 23, 2000
Pastor David Welch
“The Resurrection and the Life”
John 11
INTRODUCTION
John is the Gospel of belief. Not everything Jesus taught and did was written but these were written that we might believe that Jesus is the promised Christ, the Messiah and in believing we might have life through His name. John records the powerful ministry of Jesus to everyday people in everyday life situations. Jesus demonstrated Himself to be the supreme answer to each of these situations.
Chapter 11 deals with one of the most feared enemies of all human history. It is an enemy that every one of you has had to face. It is an enemy that man can do nothing about although billions of dollars are spent every year trying to defeat it. It is an enemy that is no respecter of persons, prosperity or possession. It has no regard for age. This enemy often strikes without warning and tears at the very heart of the soul. This enemy brutally attacks someone somewhere in the world about every 2 seconds. No one escapes its visit. It is the very last enemy to be defeated by Jesus at His return. The enemy is of course -- DEATH
Jesus faced a multitude of enemies of the human soul and offered hope to all who believed. How would he face this most devastating enemy and what hope would he give to those who turned to him for help? Millions of believers all around the world gather today to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ; an event of history that stands as the very foundation of our faith.
Paul, in his most significant chapter concerning resurrection, clearly distinguishes the importance of the resurrection.
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain; your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 1 Cor. 15:13-20
Jesus mercifully ministers to those he loved in the face of death and proclaims reliable information that furnishing hope and peace in the face of the mystery of death.
I. Inspect the text
A. Mary and Martha called on Jesus to help in time of sickness 1-3
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The sisters therefore sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."
Jesus was close to this family
Lazarus of Bethany was a close friend of Jesus. “He whom you ‘love’ (present tense)”.
The word for love used here is the friendship love (phileo). To have a warm fondness, a mutual admiration, companionship, friendship. He was the brother of Martha and Mary who were also very close to Jesus. In verse 5 we are told that Jesus ‘loved’ Martha, Mary and Lazarus with a committed love (agape). This word for love focuses on loving actions based on a decision of the will to do what is best for the other person.
Lazarus fell sick
John uses a common word for one who is without strength. The word has a broad range of meaning from physical weakness to spiritual weakness. This context indicates it is a physical weakness of a serious nature.
Mary and Martha called for Jesus to help
This family had witnessed the power of Jesus over sickness many times and naturally sent for Jesus at their time of crisis. There is more vulnerable time in life than when illness weasels its unwelcome way into our life. No other time does the frailty and fragility of humanity become more evident than when our physical bodies fail to function as designed. Medical science can do much but is still severely limited in its ability to keep us healthy. The visitation of sickness and weakness can be a grand incentive to cry out to God in our time of need. Not only on our own behalf but also on the behalf of others. This family calls on Jesus to intervene for their ailing brother Lazarus.
B. Jesus unexpectedly responds to the urgent call for help 4-16
Jesus offers an eternal perspective
But when Jesus heard it, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it." This situation is for a definite purpose. This situation will not result in the gloom of deaths final separation but in the glorious demonstration of the Son of man’s power over death. It is for the “glory” of God as well as for the glory of the Son of God. “Glory” has to do with honor, brilliance, and a splendor that draws attention to a person or thing that causes those who observe to be attracted and significantly affected. In this case the power of Jesus over a helpless situation (death) will not only cause people to stand in awe of Jesus but the Father who sent Him and enjoys oneness with Him. Jesus immediately encourages and eternal focus on the situation.
Jesus delays divine intervention
John, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, informs us as to the motive behind the strange response of Jesus.
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John uses the imperfect tense for this action indicating a steady demonstration of his commitment throughout their relationship.
When therefore He heard that he was sick, He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was.
This seems like a strange response to a cry for help.
Jesus initiates divine intervention on his terms and timing
Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
It seems evident that the disciples were not concerned about Jesus’ apparent reluctance to intervene on behalf of Lazarus.
They perhaps assumed it was because He did not want to risk a public appearance in Judea. Or perhaps they interpreted the earlier statement of Jesus to mean Lazarus would not die. That was obviously not the case as Jesus prepares to go to Judea again. The disciples react to the plan.
The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
As we learned in the end of chapter 8 and will see again in at the end of chapter 10 the Jews were stirred up enough to attempt stoning Him twice.
Jesus reaffirms an eternal perspective.
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."
When we walk in the light of God’s fixed plan or revelation there is no need to fear the unexpected or uninvited or unwelcome because they are easily seen and avoided. In God’s light we avoid stumbling over Satan’s obstacles intended to trip our walk with God. If however we do not walk in light of God’s plan or revelation, those same obstacles become a perilous barrier to our journey of faith. Since God is in this (walking in the daylight) we have nothing to fear from the Jews. God has a specific plan.
“In fact this is the situation.”
This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep (perfect tense “and is still asleep); but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples therefore 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. Then Jesus therefore 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."
Lazarus is dead and I am going there to restore him to life. I am glad he died so that through this circumstance you all may trust me even in this most mysterious part of life.
Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."
Thomas at least at this point demonstrated a love for Jesus willing to die with Him. People’s intentions often surpass their actions.
C. Jesus ministers to the family 17-37
The gravity of the situation
So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
By the time Jesus and the disciples arrived, Lazarus was already dead and buried four days. Don’t miss the reality of the account. This was before the age of embalming and body preparation and refrigeration. In a hot and humid climate body decomposition would progress rapidly. This fact propels this circumstance far beyond the other resuscitations done by Jesus. He has already begun to stink from decomposition. John adds this detail to bring greater glory to the miracle about to take place.
The grief of the family in death
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off; and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him; but Mary still sat in the house
Don’t miss the emotion. Even after four days the family grieves Lazarus’ death. Not only family but because of their close proximity to Jerusalem (less than 2 miles) many friends and acquaintances from the city came to console the family. Not all those who knew Mary and Martha were necessarily sympathetic to Jesus or believers up to this point.
. Martha therefore said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
Martha expresses her deepest feelings. She most likely had anxiously awaited Jesus coming to intervene and heal Lazarus. Her faith continues to believe at some level. Perhaps even in the grip of such grief that grabs the soul at death there is a glimmer of hope awaiting ignition. Jesus holds out the promise of resurrection.
The glory of Jesus’ promise in the midst of loss
Jesus said to her, "Your brother shall rise again."
Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
We often fail to realize the ability of God to supercede the natural here and now.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" I am not just the resurrection on the last day but I have been, am even now and always will be the eternal resurrection and life.
She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed (perfect tense – and still beleieve) that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." (The light and life theme).
And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here, and is calling for you." And when she heard it, she arose quickly, and was coming to Him.
The grief of Jesus’ spirit in the face of unbelief
Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. The Jews then who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
As we might guess, Mary seems the more emotional of the two sisters and therefore gathered the bulk of the attention.
Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled,
The term used here for “moved in spirit” comes from a root having to do with the snorting of a horse and associated with a inward agitation of indignation. This was followed by an inward troubling or shaking or disturbance. It is not clear what caused such a troubling.
Everyone has certain anger in the face of death. How cruel, how final, how rude, how devastating death is to everyone it touches. Perhaps he is disgusted at the obvious failure to see from an eternal perspective.
and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept.
The whole circumstance emotionally affected Jesus and he burst into tears. Jesus demonstrated a sympathy with those affected by Lazarus’ death. Such an emotional display caused those watching to thing about his love for the family.
And so the Jews were saying, "Behold how He loved him!"
Some also wondered why Jesus was not able to do something to prevent such a tragedy.
But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from dying?"
D. Jesus brings Lazarus back to life 38-44
Jesus reminds them of the promise made earlier and then make good on that promise. Don’t miss the glory of this miracle. Return the soul to the body Regenerate the decomposed tissue Restart the heart and internal organs Restore brain damage -- All at the sound of his voice.
Jesus graphically verifies his claim to be the resurrection and the life.
E. The people respond to the teaching and ministry of Jesus 45-57
1. Many trust in Him 11:45
Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him.
2. Some detest Him 46-53
F. Jesus withdraws from public ministry and teaching 54-57
II. Isolate some pertinent teaching
• God sometimes delays divine intervention to promote greater glory.
• We need not fear evil in the future while walking in God’s revelation for the present
• Jesus is our hope of resurrection and eternal life in the face of the curse of death
Those who believe have the promise of eternal spiritual life even in the face of temporal physical death. Those who possess eternal spiritual life will never face spiritual separation. Through Jesus, we find the courage to face the most dreaded enemy of all time. It is an enemy that held us captive. Jesus releases us from bondage to this fear of death.
Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Fear of death blocks us from full surrender to God’s potential. It becomes a cruel tool of the enemy.
We gather here today to celebrate not just a man who demonstrated power over death at a physical level but one who Himself faced death and returned in an immortal body to proclaim his victory to a multitude of followers who were in turn transformed by the reality. Many who willingly died for their faith and looked forward to death.
The saints in Revelation overcome the enemy by such a freedom.
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death. Rev. 12:11
No one else has ever made good on such a claim as Jesus made. Because he lives today he is able to continually make intercession for us. He is able to continually give us life, his very life. He is the very first of many who will experience such a resurrection.
Paul powerfully portrays this blessed transformation in 1 Corinthians 15.
III. Integrate the teaching
We believe in Jesus who proved his claims and who God raised from the dead and who will return to transform our mortal bodies into the likeness of his glorified body. Free from pain, free from limitations, free from sickness, free from fear, free from death. For now, death still bears a sting! Death is still an enemy! Death still brings grief. Death is still victorious and unstoppable. Yet in Jesus is hope so that we do not need to grieve as those who have no hope. In Jesus we have life. Because He lives we will live.
This is the heart of the Gospel message also found in 1 Corinthians 15.
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 1 Cor. 15:1-8
Today he reaches out to you.
He offers this hope to you.
You must receive it, stand by it and hold fast the truth.
As John makes clear all though his book…
These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that in believing you might have life through his name.
For as many as receive Him to them he gave the right to become children of God even to those who believe on his name
For God so loved the world that He gave his only son that whosoever believe in Him might no perish or died but have eternal life.
• Receive Him today.
• Rejoice in the truth of His glorious resurrection that guarantees our resurrection.
• Anticipate his return to deal the final blow to our most cruel enemy – death.
