“A TABLE IN THE WILDERNESS”
Psalm 78: 19. “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?”
John 11:1-7, 20-34, 38-44. “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
THE CIRCUMSTANCES
Jesus is in Galilee when He receives word that a beloved follower is desperately ill. He waits two days and then heads to Bethany, in Judea. Jesus arrives but Lazarus is dead and buried. Jesus comforts Lazarus’s two sisters, Martha and Mary. Each is sure that if Jesus had been there their brother would not have died.
THE CONFRONTATION
Jesus actions are deliberate. God is continually testing our hearts to see if we believe in Him. Psalm 78 is a history of the people of God’s unbelief. “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?”
Mary and Martha’s response to Jesus expressed three things.
a. Disappointment that Jesus was not there to heal Lazarus.
b. That she believed Jesus could have healed Lazarus.
c. A faith that was limited. (Pictures the church today)
Jesus was troubled by their response. Greek, embrimaomai = a word to express indignation.
Jesus wept.
Jesus went to the root of the problem.
THREE COMMANDS
1. v39 Take away the stone.
2. v43 Lazarus come forth.
3. v44 Loose him and let him go.
THE SYMBOLISM
THE CAVE:
a. 1 Ki 19:9-13. The place of depression.
b. 1 Sa 22:1. The carnal mind.
c. Ge 23:9-20. The place of darkness and death.
THE STONE:
Matt 23:27,28. Represents: Religion and dead works which block and render powerless the power of God.
THE ENTRANCE:
Fear and murmuring takes us into the cave.
THE EXIT:
Faith and praise will take us out. Acts 16:24-26.
THE GRAVECLOTHES:
Those things of the carnal and old life that prevent us walking in the newness of the new life.
CONCLUSION
John 12:1-2. Eph 2:5-6.
Sitting at the table of the Lord, feasting with Him in heavenly places. Song of Songs 1:12, Psalm 23:5.
