The Question Everyone Is Asking Series

The Question Everyone Is Asking

Text: John 11:45-57

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

Introduction:

I heard a story once about two traders at the Owino Market in Kampala. The two were bitter rivals. Their stalls were directly across from each other in the market, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business. They both were selling household items. So, if one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival and the other would burn with anger. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"

This illustrates the attitude of the Pharisees and Sadducees when they heard about the resurrection of Lazarus. They couldn’t stand it! They looked at the score board and Jesus was way ahead and leaving them behind. This is similar to what we are experiencing today in the midst of this health and economic crisis.

Our text this morning contains one simple question. It doesn’t appear to be all that important right at first. But, when you read it you find it is the single most important question to be asked in John’s Gospel. In fact, it is the pivotal question of all time! How the Jewish leaders answer this will change all of human history. They asked,

What are we to do?

This morning people in Tulsa, Oklahoma and across the USA are asking this same question.

What are we to do?

The Chief Priest and Pharisees were very familiar with the ministry of Jesus. Some of them were looking on when blind Bartameus cried out “SON OF DAVID HAVE MERCY ON ME!” They knew that was a messianic title…and, they knew healing of the blind was a messianic sign. But they ignored it.

When John is writing his Gospel….he selects eight sign miracles out of the life of Jesus to show us that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God.

In John chapter 2 he turns water into wine: He is the master of quality.

In chapter 4 Jesus Heals the noble man's son: He is the master of time and distance.

In chapter 5 Jesus heals a man who has lain sick at the pool of Bethesda: He is the master of sickness and disease…even long term chronic disease.

In chapter 6 we find him feeding 5,000: He is the master of quantity.

In chapter 6 we find him walking on the water and calming the storm: He is the master of Nature.

In chapter 9 we find him healing the man born blind: He is the master of Darkness

And, in chapter 11 we find him Raising Lazarus from the dead: He is the master over Death.

And, in chapter 20 we are presented with the empty tomb: He is the Master of Life…Life Eternal!

I grew up around people who loved old time southern Gospel music. I still sing those songs—when I am alone—and let me share with you the words of a song I was singing when I wrote this section. They are words from an old gospel song that I think sum up what I am talking about:

I SEE THAT SEA WALKER, THAT BLIND MAN HEALER,

THAT LEPER CLEANSING MAN FROM GALILEE,

I SEE THAT SOUL SAVER,