John 11

John 11:1

Living together in a house presumably given them by their parents, two sisters and a brother became friends with a radical Rabbi, a controversial Figure, a miracle Worker named Jesus of Nazareth. And as they opened up their hearts to Him, they also opened up their home for Him. Yet although no doubt Jesus greatly appreciated their hospitality and loved the friendship they offered Him so freely, their linkage with Him and their relationship to Him did not insulate them from difficulty nor immunize them from tragedy. Thus, as chapter 11 opens, we see ominous storm clouds hovering over this little home in Bethany. So, too, I think most of us who love the Love have opened the home of our hearts to Him and who want to be linked with Him have discovered that these sentiments do not insulate or protect us from dark days. Let’s take a look and see how this family navigated the waters of difficulty… Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, about twenty miles away in Bethabara, that the one He loved was sick. I like that! They didn’t say, “The one that loves You is sick,” but rather, “The one You love is sick.” Like Martha and Mary, I don’t approach the Lord on the basis of my love for Him. You know why? Because my love for the Lord is fickle and feeble. But His love for me, however, is fixed and firm. He’s never surprised by what I say, never taken aback by what I do. Therefore, wise is the man or woman who approaches the Lord based on His love. Interestingly, the Greek word translated “lovest” is not agapaothe perfect love that gives simply for the sake of givingbut phileo, which refers to affection or friendship. Maybe you think the Lord loves you because He is love and, therefore, has to love you. Not true. Jesus said, “I have not called you servants but friends” (see Joh_15:15). He doesn’t love you simply because He’s stuck with you. No, He chose to love you (Joh_15:16). He loves you as you would love a friend. Notice that Mary and Martha didn’t instruct the Lord concerning what He should do. Oh, how often I make that mistake. I become aware of some problem or need and immediately start instructing the Lord about how He can solve the situation. “Who hath given the Lord counsel?” asked the prophet rhetorically. (Isa_40:13). A lot of us try. We would be far wiser to follow the example of Martha and Mary. “Lord, the one who You have affection for is sick,” they said. They weren’t commanding. They were communing.

John 11:4

Precious Marysongwriters sing of her; poets write about her; artists draw pictures of her. Mary is always elevated. But did you catch what the Holy Spirit inspired John to write? “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister.” You who are Marthas, be encouraged. You who say, “I’m not one who easily sits at Jesus’ feet and contemplates His character. I’m the one who’s washing dishes after the potluck is over, the one who’s changing diapers in the nursery"take hope. Scripture says Jesus loved Martha.

John 11:6

As the messenger returned with Jesus’ message that Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death, no doubt relief flooded the hearts of Mary and Martha. Yet as time passed, Lazarus became weaker by the hour. Meanwhile, Jesus remained in Bethabara for two more days, letting events play out before He said, “Let’s go to Judaea.”

John 11:8

“You’re going back toward Jerusalem? Lord,” warned His disciples, “they’re out to get You there.”

John 11:9

“Don’t worry,” answered Jesus. “It’s still daylight. There are still things for me to do before the night falls.” Oh, night would come soon enough when He would be crucified on a Cross, when His work on earth would cease. But not yet. Consequently, Jesus was implying that He was indestructible. So are you. The Bible says man is appointed unto death (Heb_9:27).

No matter how many airbags you have in your car, no matter how many injections of vitamin C you take, once your appointed hour comes, that’s it. But until that time, you’re basically indestructible. Does that mean you can skydive without a parachute? No, for the moment you do will then become your appointed hour. When Satan told Jesus to jump off the temple in order to prove who He was, Jesus said, “It is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (see Mat_4:7). Don’t be foolishbut realize there is a period of time in which you can work without being destroyed.

John 11:11

In my mind’s eye, I see Martha getting ready for the funeral, taking care of the arrangements perhaps, or cooking a meal for the family, guests, and mourners who would be coming. I see Mary, with her beautiful contemplative spirit, quietly ministering to people or perhaps pondering the events that had transpired.

John 11:15

There was sadness in the home, but gladness in the heart of Jesus Christ. Why? Because He saw the big picture. He knew the end of the story. He knew that this event that began with grief would end in belief.

John 11:16

I’ve always liked Thomas. I think he gets a bad rap. He should be remembered not only as the doubting one, but also as the devoted one because watch what he says… When the other disciples were saying, “Don’t go near Jerusalem,” Thomas said, “Let’s go and die too.” I think this shows real devotion and true courage. When Jesus appeared to the disciples in the Upper Room after His Resurrection, Thomas wasn’t there (Joh_20:24). Why? I suggest that while the other guys were hiding in the Upper Room, Thomas was the only one who had the guts to be out on the streets. A lot of times, I think we read things into the lives of Bible characters that aren’t totally fair. I think Thomas, for example, is one who deserves a little more credit.

John 11:17

In running out to meet Jesus, Martha broke Oriental custom and tradition. Thus, I see Martha as being very much like Peter (Joh_21:7). I think Mary and John are also similar. Mary is a contemplator and John a mystic who received Revelation from Jesus.

John 11:21

I think remorse rather than rebuke was the incentive for Martha to say, “Lord, if You had been here, I know Lazarus would still be with us.”

John 11:22

Here we see a spark of faith ignite in Martha’s heart.

John 11:23

Responding to Martha’s faith, Jesus gives a promise.

John 11:24

Jesus gives a promise to Martha. But rather than embracing it joyfully and expectantly, Martha looks at it as a theological principle. Do you ever do that? The Lord opens a promise to you in the Word about a situation, a relationship, or a financial struggle and you think, Well, this probably doesn’t apply to this dispensation. This can’t really be true for me today. Come on, the Lord isn’t really going to bless, heal, restore, or help. There must be some other meaning theologically. It’s just too good to be true. But in so doing, you share the mind-set of Martha.

John 11:25

“You’re talking theologically, Martha,” says Jesus. “But I’m relating to you personally. I am the resurrection. I am what you need right now.”

John 11:27

There’s not a believer in this room tonight who doubts the Lord’s ability to do a miracle. What we struggle with is the same thing with which Martha struggled. That is, we don’t question His ability. But we do question His willingness. Like Martha, we say, “I believe You’re Someone special, unique, powerful, the Son of God, Messiah. But I can’t believe You would be willing to do something for me.”

John 11:28

Although there was a spark of faith initially within Martha, we’ll see her get sidetracked theologically, wondering whether Jesus would do a work for her personally. In waiting for Jesus to call her, Mary held to Eastern tradition.

John 11:31

How special Mary is. In Luke 10, we see her at the feet of the Lord in a happy time. Here, we see her at His feet during a hard time. Mary is one who both in days of delight and difficulty positioned herself at the feet of Jesus Christ. I have found that some are inclined to spend time with the Lord in easy times. “Oh, Lord,” they say, “You’re so good to me. I’ll sing Your praises. I’ll be at church on Sunday.” But when the hard times come, they pull away. In anger and frustration and confusion, they say, “Why expend the energy? Why pay the gas money? I’ll just stay home and watch TV.” Others run to church in hard times. This is seen, for example, in times of war. In hard times, many seek the Lord and sit at His feet. But when things are back to normal, they disappear. Many of you, however, are like Mary, who, regardless of the circumstances, find themselves always at Jesus’ feet. People often wonder how they can experience intimacy with the Lord to the degree Mary did. The answer is simple: Spend time at His feet. Mary repeats verbatim what Martha had said previously. This tells me something about human nature. That is, we begin to talk like the people with whom we spend time. Watching their brother grow paler and weaker, no doubt Martha and Mary said, “Where’s the Lord? Didn’t He get our message? Doesn’t He care?” And they spoke the same words. I have chosen, as much as possible, to establish relationships with people who speak words of faith, who rejoice in the Lord, who give thanks in everything because that’s the language I want to speak. I don’t want to be one who is cynical, one who doubts, one who complains, murmurs, or is grumpy. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t minister to those people and bear their burdens. But in establishing long-lasting relationships, I encourage you to be with those who speak faith, who love God, who trust the Lord. Spend time with people who will take you a notch higher, because if you don’tif your closest friends are those who are always questioning and doubting and grumblingtheir language will sooner or later flow from your lips as well.

John 11:33

As the mourners wail, as Mary weeps, as Jesus is at the scene, He finds Himself also crying, which intrigues me because He knew what would be happening. Why, then, does He weep? Perhaps Jesus wept because He was reminded that sin destroys, sin kills, sin stinks. Aren’t you finding this to be so? Aren’t you seeing heartache and sadness all around because of sin? Doesn’t it make you heavy of heart sometimes when you realize that precious people are hurting because of sin? Perhaps Jesus wept because of the unbelief that surrounded Him. He had given a promise that Lazarus would rise, but no one embraced or believed it. On the contrary, they were all mourning. Jesus said, “It’s going to be all right.” But they said, “No, it’s not.” So, too, when He says all things are working together for good (Rom_8:28), and we say, “No they’re not,” our unbelief must break His heart as well. Perhaps Jesus wept because He knew He was going to pull Lazarus out of Paradise and bring him back to this planet. Poor Lazarus! Perhaps Jesus wept because, although He knew everything would turn out well eventually, those around Him were hurting presently. We are told in the Book of Hebrews that Jesus is a High Priest who sympathizes with us, feels for us, and prays on behalf of us. Therefore, even though I should be stronger in faith, when I’m hurting, Jesus hurts too. So it is that the shortest verse in Scripture becomes the most powerful when seen in light of both the deity and humanity of our Lord.

John 11:36

Couldn’t Jesus have done something? Yes and no. Yes, He had the power. But no, it wasn’t His plannot until a few moments later…

John 11:38

No doubt in that hot climate, the body of Lazarus took on a distinct odor. That is why Martha said, “Lord, just let it be. Don’t ask me to roll away the stone. It stinks.” The same is true of you and me. The Lord wants to do something in our lives. But before He does, oftentimes He’ll say, “Roll away the stone. Expose the problem. Let Me have total access to the situation.” “Oh, Lord, not that,” we say. “Do we have to deal with that? I’m embarrassed about it. I’m ashamed of it. It stinks.” The Lord said, “I gave you a promise, Martha. But here’s the prerequisite: Roll away the stone.” Do you think Jesus could have rolled away the stone Himself? Later on, He didHis own stone. But here He says to Martha, just as He says to me, “The promise is given, but here’s the prerequisite: Roll away the stone. Even though what’s inside stinks, let Me deal with it.”

John 11:40

Jesus didn’t pray in public very frequently. His communion with His Father was not like that of the Pharisees who loved to be seen on the street corners praying at great length. No, Jesus communed privately with His Father moment by moment. Here, however, He prays audibly, saying, “Father, I’m praying aloud in order that they who are watching might know what’s happening.”

John 11:43

Jesus had to address Lazarus by name lest everyone in the cemetery came forth.

John 11:44

Turning to His disciples, to His followers, to the family, Jesus said, “I resurrected Lazarus. But I’m giving you the privilege and responsibility of loosening him.” That’s what happens Sunday after Sunday in the amphitheatre at Applegate Christian Fellowship? People are born again by the score. And the Lord says to you who know them, “I resurrected them. Now you loose them by praying for them, sharing with them, and standing by them.”

John 11:45

In light of this fabulous miraclethe last miracle John records before Jesus Christ is crucifiedI call your attention to two principles to jot down, think through, and pray in… The first is that delays are determined by the Lord for His glory. “Where are You, Lord?” we cry. “I sent a message to You in prayer. I’ve cried out to You in sincerity. But You’re not working. You’re not coming. Where are You? “Lord, come and heal,” cry Mary and Martha. “I’m going to do something a whole lot more impacting than that,” answers Jesus. “I’m going to resurrect Him. But that means He has to die first.” I have found that the longer the Lord waits to do His work in my life, the longer He waits to come on the scene, oftentimes the greater blessing it is for His glory and my good. You more mature believers have sung, “Lord, use my life.” But what if that means tragedy? What if it means cancer, bankruptcy, death, setback, or pain? What if God can get the maximum amount of glory when a world who doesn’t believe watches you go through terrible times and sees His strength see you through? Samson’s greatest victory did not take place until he stood as a blind man in the temple of Dagon and brought the roof down upon himself (Jdg_16:30). “Use my life, Lord,” I pray. “I’m ready for the Jon Courson Evangelistic Association, or the “Jon Courson’s Greatest Hits” album. But the Lord says, “Okay. I’ll use you. I’ll show My goodness and reality as you go through horrendous difficultyfor when the roof caves in and the house comes down, the demons will flee; the Philistines will fall; and I will be glorified.” If you really want your life to be used, precious people, let the Lord do what He knows will bring Him the greatest glory. Baby Christians don’t understand this. Like all babies, all they care about is themselves. They want their stomachs full and their diapers changed. They want to be satisfied. While there’s nothing wrong with younger believers wanting to be pampered and fed, there comes a time to put away childish things (1Co_13:11). There comes a point when a believer grows up and says, “To God be the glorywhatever that may mean in my life.” Second, not only are delays determined by the Lord for His glory, but the solution to your frustration is not something. It’s Someone. “I am the resurrection,” Jesus says. “It’s Me. I am what you’re looking for.” Dear brother, precious sister, the solution to your frustration is the Person of Jesus. You don’t need more money necessarily, for Jesus says, “I am the Bread.” You don’t need some kind of mystical experience to guide you directionally, for Jesus says, “I am the Way.” It’s Him. If you realize He is the I AM, you’ll make it throughand you will find yourself actually embracing the difficult day rather than resenting it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego left their fiery furnace only when commanded to do so by Nebuchadnezzar. Why? Because it was in the fire that they found Jesus (Dan_3:25). So, too, if you allow the Lord to do His work, you will perceive the presence of Jesus Christ so clearly that you will say, “Lord, keep me in the fire all of the time if that’s the only way we can see You.” “I’m going through tough times,” you say, “but I’m not finding the Lord in the fire.” Easter Sunday, Mary was at the tomb. Seeing who she thought was the gardener, she said, “Where’s the body of my Lord"not realizing the One standing right before her was the very One she was looking for. Why didn’t Mary recognize Jesus? Perhaps it was because there were tears in her eyes and she wasn’t seeing clearly. So, too, sometimes our own fears and tears blind us to Jesus’ nearness. He’s here, saint. He promised to be. He’s been there for you previously. He’s been there for me personally. And sometimes to experience His presence, all we have to do is quit blubbering, dry our eyes, and say, “Lord, I believe You will see me through.”

John 11:46

Lazarus comes out of the grave and what happens? Some believebut others say, “Let’s go tattle to the Pharisees about what Jesus is doing now.”

John 11:47

“What are we going to do about Jesus?” the Jews ask each other. “If we don’t stop Him, the Romans will come down to quell a potential insurrection and we’ll lose our place.” You see, for the Pharisees, the ministry was simply a platform for personal prestige and power. Thus, they weren’t concerned about God being in His rightful place. They were only concerned about losing their place.

John 11:49

So wealthy did Annas, the high priest, become from the money-making schemes that surrounded the temple, to avoid a conflict of interest, he appointed his son-in-law, Caiaphas, to serve as high priest. From his office of high priest, Caiaphas spoke more profoundly than he could possibly have known when he said, “It’s prudent that one man dies in order that the whole nation might live.” Little did Caiaphas know that what he said was inspired by the Spirit. This shows me something about our Lord. God can use anyone to speak His heart, to reveal His truth. Caiaphas was a loser, a charlatan, a fleecer. Yet the Spirit still inspired him at this moment to speak truth. Just as Caiaphas prophesied, one Man did indeed dienot only for the nation, but for the sins of all men. God can use a Caiaphas; God can use a donkey (Numbers 22), a neighbor, a professor, or any other voice He chooses to speak truth. Be wary of the mind-set that thinks if a person isn’t born-again, he cannot speak truth. God can use anyone.

John 11:53

Now we are coming to the very endthe last week in the life of our wonderful Lord, the last week before He would be crucified on the Cross. At this time, many are going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. How many? Josephus tells us temple records indicate that at least 250,000 sheep were slaughtered in the temple during this particular Passover. Since one lamb was sacrificed for a household, and since each household averaged ten people, including extended family, there would have been 2.5 million people flooding into Jerusalem. In your mind’s eye, catch the scene: 2.5 million people jammed into a city only a few miles square, standing room only, sheep everywhere. And in the midst of those crowded people and bleating sheep walks the Lamb of Godcoming to die for the sin of the world.