“Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 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. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ’Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ’I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world’" (John 11:17-27, ESV).
What is glory?
It refers to praise, honor, or distinction given to someone because they have achieved something important, as Google related to us. For example, an athlete winning an Olympic gold medal experiences the glory of their achievement.
Glory can also describe something that is beautiful, impressive, or deserving of praise. For example, the glories of ancient architecture, like the Esterhazy Palace that my wife visited last week. It is said that it’s the most beautiful baroque palace in Hungary.
Glory can signify a state of great gratification or exaltation. Illustration of those who are in their glory, or the joy of their personal achievement.
So, whether it’s the fame of a brilliant career, the splendor of a magnificent building, or the joy of personal achievement, glory encompasses various meanings!
Taking all those things together, the fame of brilliant career, the splendor of a magnificent building or the joy of personal achievement, cannot match the glory of God -- the Glory of glories -- the kind of glory that Jesus prayed for the believers to experience.
Part of the prayer of Jesus in John 17 was, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (verse 24).
So, this time, let’s focus on the topic, THE GLORY OF GLORIES while we study our text (John 11:17-27).
The future Glory that Jesus will reveal transcends all the glories in this world. But could we have a glimpse of His glory now in our time? If so, in what way?
Be reminded again that the Gospel of John was written by the one who addressed himself as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” The writer, who is John, focused on the life and words of Jesus in His remaining days on earth. He emphasized that Jesus is God. And he showed the importance of our belief in the Gospel and also our love for Jesus.
In the first 16 verses of chapter 11, John pointed out an unexpected action of Jesus toward those He loved. In His love for Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus wanted them to see or experience more than physical healing. His loving desire for them was to behold the glory of God.
And in our text, as Jesus encountered Martha, we could notice at least two ways wherein we could have a glimpse of the Glory of Jesus. What are those ways?
I -- GRASP THE GLORY IN HIS PECULIAR PRESENCE (verses 20-22).
We read verses 20-22, “So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’"
Notice well that Martha expected that her brother would not have died, if Jesus was with them. And now that Jesus was present, she expected that good thing would happen. She expected that whatever Jesus asked from God, He could have it.
Martha pointed out glorious things could happen when Jesus is present. Tragedy will not happen. Or, if it happened, because of His presence, something good could turn out. She underlined the peculiarity of the presence of Jesus that whatever He asked from God, He would receive.
Notice also her excitement to be in the Presence of Jesus. “…when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him…” She did not just wait for Jesus to arrive and come into the house. Actually, she did not even wait for Jesus to reach the house. She was excited to go and be where Jesus was and to speak to Him and to see what He could do.
I had a former co-employee who supported former President Rodrigo Duterte. When the former President came to Legazpi and held his campaign in Albay Astrodome, my office mate not only attended. She really made an effort to come near Duterte and took a picture with him. She wanted to experience the glory to be in the presence of her idol.
Just to be in the presence of a famous person, whether he is a politician, actor/ actress, or whatever, we could feel a certain degree of awe to be with them. Until now, as if I could still feel the hands of the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.when he shook my hand. He came to Legazpi when I was in the elementary grade. Perhaps, it was his first campaign for the Office of the President. We were required to be on the side of the road in front of the St. Raphael Church in Legazpi. As his car was slowly passing in front of us, he was shaking the hands of those who are on the roadside, including the children. Of course, I was not able to vote for him by that time. But I was sure my father voted for him, after I told him excitedly that the future President shook my hand. My encounter with him was brief. And it could not even rub on his memory. But in my little mind and small heart, the brief experience was “glorious.”
Believers or lovers of Christ, like Martha, should we not desire more to experience the peculiar presence of Jesus Christ Himself?
Of course, Jesus could not be with us physically in our time. But in the Spirit, He is always with us. He promised, “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age"(Matt. 28:20B).
Like Martha, then, do we also expect that no tragic thing could happen, if we are in His Presence? And if ever undesirable thing could happen, if Jesus is present, do we also expect that something good could come out it? Are we always excited to come to Jesus and talk to Him in prayer?
There was a time before when I didn’t know yet that my heart has a problem. One morning after I took a bath and I was drying myself inside our room, I felt a quick and penetrating pain that was going through in my heart. It was so painful. I felt as if my heart was constricting in pain.
Thankfully, I was able to remain on my feet. What I could only do in that moment was to say in a whisper, “Jesus…!”
Immediately after I called His Name, I felt as if warm water was poured from the top of my head down to my feet! And the pain was gone. I proceeded to get dressed for office and never mentioned the incident to my wife.
Would you like also to grasp the glory in the peculiarity of His Presence? Like Martha, go to Jesus and talk to Him. Meet Him in prayer. Meet Him where He is really preached. Expect the glorious thing that He could extend to your life. Perhaps, you could just experience what David mentioned in the Psalm, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).
In what other way we could have a glimpse of His Glory?
II -- BELIEVE THE PROFOUND TRUTH ABOUT HIMSELF (vv. 23-26).
We read verses, “Jesus said to her, ’Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ’I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’"
Notice when Martha said, “I know that he (Lazarus) will rise again in the resurrection on the last day,” Jesus as if He responded, “You don’t need to look forward to the last day.” He revealed the truth about Himself: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus did not say that He “will be” the Resurrection and the Life. What He did say, He is … “I am…”
And the next thing that He said, “Whoever believes in me, though he die (physically), yet shall he live (eternally), everyone who lives (spiritually) and believes in me shall never die (spiritually).”
Even at present, because of Jesus, we could experience the resurrection. We are born physically alive, but dead spiritually. But Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Our spirit can become alive because of Him.
Notice that resurrection comes before life, because for mortal men new life is the product of resurrection. The availability of spiritual life will enable us to have genuine faith.
When Jesus asked, “Do you believe this?” -- it was not just an invitation of confession of faith in Him, but also in His statement.
It was needful for Martha to believe also in what Jesus was declaring about about Himself -- the Resurrection and the Life. Only He Alone can make this happen. It’s a Glorious Truth about Himself. Martha ought to believe it.
In the previous chapters of John, we were able to behold some aspects of the Truth about Jesus.
Somewhere in the middle part of chapter 8, He revealed Himself as the Liberator. He could grant the person the freedom from sinning. One could still commit sin, but he is no longer enslaved in the life of sin.
He revealed Himself as Lovable. Those who truly believed Jesus were given not only the right to become children of God but also the joy of loving Him.
He declared not only what is true, but He Himself is the Truth.
In chapter 9, He declared that He was the “Light of the world.” Not only He could make the man born blind to see, but also to perceive spiritual truth. And as the “Light,” He could also display the marvelous work of God.
In chapter 10, He disclosed Himself as the Good Shepherd. Not only He could protect His sheep, but He actually laid down His life for them, brought them into faith and preserved them eternally.
And for those who loved Him, He would not cease to unveil the glorious truth about Himself. He said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him" (John 14:21).
Believers or lovers of Christ, are we aware of the glorious and profound Truth about Jesus?
We are aware that preachers proclaim that Jesus died for the sins of the world. But are we cognizant of what He said that He died for the sheep -- for the sheep kind of people, not for the goat, wolf, pig, dog, or snake kind of people? Are we aware that He gave His life for those people given out of the world by the Father to Him?
Perhaps, we heard about it. Or, we heard those words in His Word. But, do we believe it?
Referring to the people given to Him by the Father, Jesus prayed, “For I have given them your words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me” (John 17:8).
Notice the three important words that define the reaction of those people given by the Father to the Word. They received. They knew or have come to know the truth. And they believed.
So, in out text, we should not just receive and know the truth that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. We should also believe it.
He is not just He “will be” the Resurrection. But, He is -- I am -- the Resurrection. He will not just raise us again from the dead in the future. He has also raised us now from the spiritual death.
We believe. So, we are now enjoying the new life -- alive both physically and spiritually. We have now eternal life. We may die physically, but our life in Christ extends to eternity.
Do you believe that profound truth about Him?
If we really believe in the glorious truth about Himself? What should we do next? Expose ourselves to His Word. Be excited and thrilled by what He said about Himself.
In my case, it was not John 3:16 at first that motivated me to read the whole Bible. It was John 14:3. Jesus told His disciples, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
I was then really thrilled that He will come again. I received His words. Convinced of its truthfulness. Really I believed and loved His promise. So, I read and study the Bible to find out who were those persons He would take to Himself.
Continue to be familiar with Jesus. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him, according to Peter. Let the prayer of Paul to the Colossians be your own personal prayer or prayer for others, that you should be “bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col.1:10B).
CONCLUSION:
As I close, be reminded when I related before that there was a night that my wife and I were on our rooftop. Suddenly, both of us saw two or three shooting stars passed in succession over our head. The scene was stunning! I held my breathe and tongue tied to witness such glory in the physical heaven. But my wife who was outspoken blurted out, “Woww!”
Now, I realize that our mind or heart should not just settle or remain on the object, situation or whatever that we so appreciate. What we appreciate, what we enjoy, or what we are in awe should point us to the Glorious God, who causes such glorious thing to happen in our life. There is only one glory that our mind and heart should be directed and fastened on: the Glory of glories. Let that be our glorious obsession. So, grasp the glory in the peculiar Presence of Jesus. Believe in the profound truth about Himself.
