Miracles Still Happen
John 11:1-27
Good Morning
Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many people want the Lord to perform a super natural miracle, to prove He exists.
In the Gospels, as the Lord performed miracles; but they usually did not produce belief in people, even though miracles are meant to authenticate the power and identity of the miracle worker.
Even within the Old Testament, when God performed miracles for the Israelites, it did not cause them to obey Him; rather they continued to disobey the Lord even after God did the miracles.
Please open your Bibles to John 11, as we talk about how the Lord still performs miracles today, even if we are unaware.
Many people try to question the miracles of Jesus and the authenticity of scripture; because like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, they do not want to believe God still does miracles.
Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will. NKJV
I. When God delays.
Read John 11:1-6
Here in our narrative, Jesus is summoned to the home of some of His closest friends and their brother Lazarus is terminally ill.
Jesus does the unthinkable and stays where He was for two full days instead of rushing to the bedside of His friend and healing him right away.
In vs. 3, the sisters send word to Jesus to reveal that their brother was sick; but they do not tell Jesus how to handle the situation.
So many times in our prayer lives, we advise the Lord on how to fix our problems and how to answer our prayers.
Some people say, “Just claim the healing and it will be yours”
However, when Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He taught them to say to the Father, “Your will be done”
In Laura Story’s song, blessings, it says, “We pray for blessings, we pray for peace; Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity; we pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
…And all the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops, What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near.
“What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise” (Laura Story, Blessings)
When we pray, we can’t always see the big picture; but God sees the beginning and the end of the situation before it happens.
Sometimes, we want to tell the Lord how to answer our prayers
Isaiah 40:13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? NLT
We should simply make our requests known to God, and then leave the answer up to Him, because He will give what is best for His children.
The NLT of Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. NLT
Lazarus sickness was not only used by the Lord, it was actually planned by the Lord; so this sickness was not a lack of faith on Lazarus’ part.
The sisters send word to Jesus, “The one you love is sick”. Jesus already knew Lazarus was sick and He remained two more days.
Let’s add up the days it took Jesus to get to Lazarus; it took the messenger a day to reach Jesus; but most commentators believe Lazarus died before the messenger ever made it to Jesus.
Then there was the two days Jesus remained in the place He was; and there was one day for Jesus to travel to Bethany.
John 11:39 says Lazarus had been dead four days when Jesus arrived there.
Some may think this was cruel for Jesus to allow Lazarus to die.
Some people get angry with God over the death of a loved one, some sickness, or something else that has happened.
We hear things like, “If God were a God of love, He would not allow this thing to have taken place.”
I personally have struggled with that line of reasoning myself at times, so I understand; I have learned I am not the center of the universe and God does love me, even when I don’t understand.
God answers prayers in ways I cannot comprehend and He also sees the big picture when all I see is what’s right in front of me.
The Lord said in Isaiah 55:9 My ways higher than your ways…
II. Why did Jesus wait to go to Bethany?
Re-read John 11:3
The Bible says Jesus loved Lazarus, so why did Jesus delay?
There are times when we pray and God doesn’t come through in the way or in the time we expect Him to come through.
Most Christians believe God still performs miracles; but, when the healing or answers to prayers don’t come the way we expect them to happen; we cry, and we pray more.
Then we wonder: does God care about me? Yes, He does!
Jesus went to the cross and died for your sins. He’s prepared a place in heaven for those who will receive Him;
In His own time and His own way, the Lord will make a way when there seems to be no way.
Whether you’re well or whether you’re sick… whether the answer comes as we expect it or not; Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest! So trust in His love and care for you today.
I want to offer a few different answers to the specific question in this case, for why Jesus waited two extra days to go to Lazarus.
1. So the people witnessing the event could be assured that Lazarus was really dead before performing the miracle.
By the time He arrived, after waiting the 2 additional days before traveling, Lazarus had been dead for 4 full days.
His body had already started to decompose; the grave clothes were stained with body fluids from the decaying flesh.
John 11:39 Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." NKJV
Two miracles happened when Jesus called Lazarus back to life;
First, not only was Lazarus brought back to life; but, his body was healed back to normal, even though it had started to decay.
Jews back then, believed the soul of a dead person stayed with the dead body for up to 2 days; Jesus wanted them to know, Lazarus was fully dead, so they would recognize the miracle.
Miracle Max in the movie Princess Bride, “There is a big difference between mostly dead and all dead”
Jesus is able to perform miracles.
Romans 4:17 God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did NKJV
Next, Jesus waited two extra days to go to Lazarus…
2. To prove God the Father was real and that Jesus is God the Son: He is the Resurrection and the Life.
Without Death, there can be no resurrection.
The Lord healed Lazarus from his sickness, and this proved that Jesus is the Life…
But raising Lazarus from the dead showed that Jesus is not only the Life; but He is the One who provides Resurrection for those who believe in Him.
The result; many of the Jews there, placed their faith in Jesus.
Next, Jesus waited two extra days to go to Lazarus…
3. Jesus never arrives "too late" to fulfill His purposes.
The simple act of waiting for Lazarus's death and burial, added credibility that this was a miracle and a work of God; unlike any miracle these people had ever seen before!
God's wisdom is marvelous and this account has so many precise details, to show its authenticity.
So Jesus Christ waited until His friend Lazarus was dead for four days so the Jews knew he was really dead and that Jesus Christ can and does easily raise the dead by command.
Remember, Lazarus was probably already dead before Jesus was told of his sickness, by the messenger; so the delay made no difference to Lazarus at all.
When the sisters were upset, thinking Jesus was unconcerned, was simply their own short sidedness.
The sisters were looking for an instant miracle and comfort; so they tell Jesus His friend is sick; but the sisters were short sided.
Jesus had eternal things in mind; even though He loved the whole family, He waited to heal Lazarus.
Sometimes we are short sided and cannot understand why God doesn’t do things in our timing, or in our way, it is because He is eternally focused and sees the big picture and we are short sided.
The miracle Jesus performed had eternal consequences, not only for the family; but also, for many who witnessed it and believed unto salvation.
Again, Jesus never arrives "too late" to fulfill His purposes.
But the sisters were not the only ones who were short-sided...
III. Short sided disciples.
Read John 11:7-16
Jesus tells His disciples that it is time to head back into the area of Judea.
The Disciples were concerned because they knew the religious leadership wanted to execute Jesus.
The Disciples are probably thinking, “Hey Jesus, You can heal Lazarus from anywhere, you don’t need to go back there.”
In Matthew we are told about a healing Jesus did: Matthew 8:5 when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."
Matthew 8:7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
Matthew 8:9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." NKJV
Jesus was basically saying, “The Father has given Me a mission to complete.” Nothing can stop Jesus from completing His mission.
Jesus never wavered from His calling or His mission; He knew what He was here to do and nothing was going to stop Him.
Here is good lesson for us; often times, we worry whether we are missing out on something, or what if we were supposed to do something else.
Our time belongs to the Lord, and what He gives us to do, is what we should be doing.
So many times we chase after other things than what God gave us to do; and neglect the ministry or call the Lord gave us to do.
Don’t open doors He has closed and don’t walk away from things He has called you to. And by the way, your life is invincible until He is done with you; serve God fearlessly!
Jesus is still performing miracles today.
In vs. 15 Jesus explains to them, how He was glad the Father had designed it that Jesus would not be there when Lazarus died.
The story that began with grief would end in belief.
If Jesus would have been there and healed Lazarus earlier, not nearly as many people would have come to believe in Jesus.
The fact that these men came into town after the body was already decaying helped them to grow in their faith as well.
In vs. 16, Thomas says, “Okay Jesus, let’s get it over with and go and die as well”
Basically, Thomas is saying, “If Jesus is going to be killed by the religious leaders then I will die with Him!”
We must remember the Disciples had been taught all their lives about the Messiah and the promise of a resurrection to new life.
The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the righteous dead, but the Sadducees did not. So,
When Jesus said He was going to wake Lazarus from the dead, Thomas believed Lazarus was going to receive a resurrection.
So Thomas was also saying, “Let us die as well, and receive the resurrection we have learned about our entire lives”
IV. The ultimate question.
Read John 11:17-27
Verse 20 says that Martha went out as soon as she heard the Lord had arrived, but Mary stayed at the house.
Luke 10 tells the story of Martha being distracted with much serving, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet learning.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." NKJV
Here Martha here again, is showing her type “A” personality by running out to meet Jesus.
Notice what she says to Jesus, “If You had been here, Lazarus would be alive”
Luke 10:41-42 is not an accusation against Jesus’ power; instead this is a statement of faith, in who Jesus is.
Notice she says, whatever you ask the Father, He will grant it to you, that is faith.
Martha may not have had all the knowledge she had after Christ rising from the dead; but, she believes in Him anyway!
The same is true for us today, we do not have to have all things figured out; we just need to have Faith in who Jesus says He is.
Then, Jesus assures Martha that her brother will rise again, and she agrees that at the last resurrection, Lazarus will live.
Martha agreed with the Jewish belief in the resurrection; but Jesus wants her to understand something about Him.
Jesus wants to take her from a Theological truth to a personal truth for those who trust in Jesus for salvation.
Re read John 10:25-26
So with the claim of Jesus being the resurrection, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live again”.
With the claim of Jesus being the life, Jesus said, “Whoever is alive now and believes in Me shall never die”.
Understand Christian, your body may fall asleep; but you are an eternal being.
When a Christian passes away, they are simply changing their address from earth to heaven.
This section ends with the most vital question for everyone for all eternity. John 11:26 Do you believe this?" NKJV
Our salvation is based on a personal belief in the risen Christ.
V. Practical Application
Christians need spiritual eyes to see, so that we will not fail to recognize Jesus performing miracles, everyday, all around us.
But we need to be careful not to try and manipulate things and think God is our personal vending machine.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. NKJV
We need to remember however what Jesus said in John 15, “Without Me you cannot do anything”
That means anything with spiritual significance, has to be done in the power of Jesus.
Our first and foremost need is to realize we need the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
God still performs miracles. One of the greatest proofs to non-believers of God’s miracles, are the changed lives of followers.
I am living proof that miracles still happen. The lord raised this dead man back to life.
The Bible is filled with these examples of how the Lord works miracles, using ordinary people to change the course of history.
One of the Lord’s gifts to His people is the awesome privilege of being used by Him, as He performs miracles and uses us.
We need to show and tell people, how the Lord has raise previously dead people back to life.
Acts 4:13 when they (religious leaders) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Think about some of the people the Lord used for miracles; Abraham and Sarah had Isaac in their old age. Joseph was sold into slavery as a teen, became a world leader.
Moses, a murderer who did not wait for the Lord; but later, God still used him to free a nation. Rahab, a prostitute, helped Israel defeat Jericho.
The misfit Apostles changed the whole world with the Gospel.
Some of the characteristics of the people God uses to do the unexpected; courage, willingness, teach-ability, and a deep sense of purpose.
Scott Calvin said, “Our daily interactions with God need to invigorate and renew that vision so that we can awaken and live with a deep sense of purpose.” (Scott Calvin)
The Lord still performs miracles that go against the laws of nature; He still heals people, and He still confounds the wisdom of men…
Often times, we fail to see the Lord working and even worse, there are times we credit people for the Lord’s miracles.
The question for us is, “Do we want to serve the Lord and be used by Him, as He uses us to perform miracles?”
Sometimes, the Lord performs miracles by providing things to us; in order for us to turn around and give them away, to see His will be done.
Isaiah 6:8, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." NKJV
Isaiah answered God’s call and did not hesitate. Isaiah; he had a real experience in the presence of God.
In the presence of God’s holiness, Isaiah recognized his own sinfulness and he needed a touch form God’s cleansing fire.
Isaiah also had God’s heart to reach the nations.
I said earlier that miracles are supposed to authenticate the power and identity of the miracle worker.
God wants the world to know His great love for people; how salvation comes through Jesus alone and not by any human efforts.
So the Lord allows us help in His plan to let the world know…
For us personally, it is better to simply take God at His Word, than to try and see 1,000 miracles because as Jesus said in…
John 20:29 Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." NKJV
And Hebrews 11:6 says, without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. NKJV
Wait on the Lord. Listen to the Lord and trust the Lord. Then when He tells you to get involved, to give, or to help with one of His projects….
You will be blessed because of your obedience of He will allow you to play a role in His furtherance of the Gospel here on earth
