Trevor S Ferguson
June 19, 2022
John 11:1-7, 14-23 KJV
[1] Now a certain man was
sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
[2] (It was that Mary which
anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose
brother Lazarus was sick.)
[3] Therefore his sisters sent unto him,
saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
[4] When Jesus heard that,
he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the
Son of God might be glorified thereby.
[5] Now Jesus loved Martha,
and her sister, and Lazarus.
[6] When he had heard
therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he
was.
[7] Then after that saith he
to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.
…
[14] Then said Jesus unto
them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
[15] And I am glad for your
sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us
go unto him.
[16] Then said Thomas, which
is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die
with him.
[17] Then when Jesus came,
he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
[18] Now Bethany was nigh
unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
[19] And many of the Jews
came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
[20] Then Martha, as soon as
she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the
house.
[21] Then said Martha unto
Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
[22] But I know, that even
now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
[23] Jesus saith unto her,
Thy brother shall rise again.
INTRODUCTION
Crises occur frequently in human
life. From time to time, we find ourselves in situations that require urgent
attention and urgent intervention. Examples of crises include severe sickness, death,
financial problems, interpersonal conflicts, emotional upheavals, and similar
things. In times of crisis, quick and immediate action is essential. Inaction
or delayed action can lead of death or a severe worsening of the condition. Very
often in crisis situations external help is needed. We turn to sources or
individuals we believe have the capacity to help. We go to the doctor if there
is a sickness; when the sickness is particularly acute, we go to the emergency
room, where doctors and nurses are specifically trained to deal with crises. In
times of financial crises, we may go to a bank or to a person known to have
adequate resources. For emotional crises we seek a counselor or pastor. For
spiritual crises, we seek a pastor or other minister. Failure to help in a time
of crisis, is consider among the worse of human vices. Even mean people will
often try to help in crisis situations.
What then do you do, when
you are faced with a crisis and help is not forthcoming, even though the person
you have asked for help has the capacity to help? This dilemma is illustrated
in the passage today and provide some important lessons for our Christian
journey. While the passage is well known, and often the base text of sermons,
we often focus on the miracle, without sufficient attention to the events that
preceded the miracle. Today we want to take some time to look at this passage. As
we reflect, we will recognize the despite deliberate delays and days of
silence, God will still show up and work miracles in our lives.
EXPOSITION
The events of John 11 take
place in the final weeks or months of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The raising of
Lazarus is considered by many as the last great miracle of Jesus’ public
ministry and was the event that final lead the chief priests and the Pharisees
to make the decision that he should be put to death.
Lazarus was from the town of
Bethany and was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus often stayed at the home
of Mary and Martha when he was in Bethany. As indicated in verses 3 and 5, Jesus
loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
Now Lazarus was sick. At
that time Jesus was staying in the region of Perea, beyond Jordan, because the
Jews in Judea and sought capture him (see chapter 10:39). Mary and Martha,
being close friends with Jesus, knew where he was staying, so the sent
messengers to him. Note the message “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” Jesus
then said: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the
Son of God may be glorified through it.” It is not clear if this message was
sent back to Mary and Martha or if Jesus was speaking to his disciples.
Regardless of to whom the message was directed this was the only response Jesus
gave to the crisis for two whole days. We would have expected a more direct
response and immediate action on Jesus’ part. Something like – Don’t worry, I
am leaving right now to come and attend to him; or, he will not die, I will
come and heal him; or Go on your way, I will speak to word and he will be
healed right now! Instead, we have deliberate delay! Verse 6 tells us that
Jesus abode two more days in the place where he was.
Let’s take some time to look
at this issue of DELIBERATE DELAY.
Jesus knew Lazarus was sick,
Jesus knew he would die. In fact, it is believed that Lazarus died the same day
that the messengers came to Jesus. Jesus was fully aware of this. Note that the
messengers did not come back to update Jesus on Lazarus’ passing, but Jesus
stated in verse 14: Lazarus is dead. Look at verse 15: “And I am glad for
your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let
us go unto him.” He was fully aware of his death, fully aware of the grief
of Martha and Mary, but did nothing. Why didn’t Jesus’ act?
Two reasons: PURPOSE and TIMING!
God will not act outside of
his purpose and God will not act outside of his timing! The resurrection of
Lazarus was intended in God’s purpose to be his crowning, most significant
miracle. The next major miracle was going to be the resurrection of Jesus
himself. A healing of Lazarus would not have fulfilled God’s purpose! We note
the while Jesus had previously raised persons from the dead – specifically Jairus’
daughter and the son of the widow of Nain, both these miracles would have taken
place on the day of their death. Jairus’s daughter was freshly dead – still on
her bed when Jesus went in and raised her from the dead. The widow of Nain’s
son was raised while they were on the way to the burial. Given that the Jews
usually buried people on the same day they died, this resurrection also to
place on the day of death. It is quite possible that the Jews would argue that
they were not really dead, but in a coma or some other unconscious state. Thus,
they could try to explain away the miracle or claim it was only a healing.
The resurrection of Lazarus
would need to leave no doubt! In order for the resurrection to occur he had to
die. In order to leave no doubt, he needed to be buried and in the grave for
long enough that there would be no doubt as to the resurrection. Four days were
necessary as some Jews believed the soul hovered over the body for three days.
To remove these possible sceptics – four days would be necessary. So then, we
see the critical importance of purpose and timing in God’s plan. We can’t rush
God. We must wait on his purpose and timing. It is not that he is not good;
it’s not that he doesn’t love us! Fulfilling his purpose and working in his
time is critical for God’s divine will to be accomplished.
Let’s turn to the MATTER OF
SILENCE.
It’s one thing for God to
not act when we seek him. It’s another thing all together when he does not
speak to us! Let us assume for a moment that he did indeed send the message to
Mary and Martha that the sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God.
The messengers get back and give that message, but Lazarus dies the same day!
And Jesus says nothing! Lazarus is buried, no word from Jesus; Day 1 passes, no
word from Jesus; Day two passes, no word from Jesus; Day 3 passes, still no
word from Jesus! Can you imagine the pain and anguish for Mary and Martha? They
must have felt like David in Psalm 22: Listen to what he says, reading from the
New Living Translation:
“[1] My God, my God, why
have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? [2] Every
day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice,
but I find no relief.”
David’s dilemma continues in
vs 4-8
[4]
Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. [5] They cried out to you
and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced. [6] But I am a
worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! [7] Everyone who sees me
mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, [8] “Is this the one who
relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much,
let the LORD rescue him!”
Psalm 22:4-8 NLT
Our pain is magnified when
we look at others and it seems they are getting help and we recall the stories
of our fathers of God’s mighty deliverance, yet nothing is happening for us! We
note though verse 24:
“For he hath not despised
nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from
him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.”
Today, I want to remind
somebody that God has heard your cry and he will answer in due time. He will
not remain silent forever. He will show up and answer you! We also recall the story
of Job! For 37 chapters Job suffers, and God is silent! Listen to Job in chapter
23:
[3]
Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! [4]
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
…
[8]
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive
him:
[9]
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth
himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
[10]
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth
as gold.
God
did answer Job. Job 38:1 states: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind!
God did not provide all the answers and explanations Job sought, but clearly
established his sovereignty and his power, which Job was able to accept. Despite
the days of silence God will show up! He showed up for Job. He showed up for
David. He showed up for Martha and Mary. He was four days late in Martha’s
timing, but he was at the perfect hour in God’s timing. IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR
YOUR MIRACLE!
Martha
said to Jesus in verse 21-22: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had
not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will
give it thee.
Even
now! Despite the delay, despite the silence, despite the despair, despite the
tears - even now God can still act in your situation! Lazarus was dead, he was buried,
his body had begun to decay, but these apparently irreversible situations would
not prevent God from acting. Even now he still had the power to intervene.
Jesus
word to Martha in verse 23 challenged her faith and challenges our faith today
Your
dead situation is not too far gone for God to intervene! You may think it’s over;
you may think there is no hope, you may have stopped trying all together, but
think again. God can still intervene and change your situation. Jesus declared,
I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live. In that he has power over death, there is no situation
in which he cannot act. Lift your faith, believe on him. It’s not too late for
your miracle.
I
challenge you today to put your faith in him. Put your crisis in his hands. Trust
his purpose and trust his timing. Don’t give up. He will come through for you.
CONCLUSION
Today
we have been reminded that God cares about our crises. He loves us but works
according to his purpose and his perfect time. Despite apparent delays and long
periods of silence, he is working things out for our good. He will come through
for us. It’s not too late for our miracle! God bless you, In Jesus Name.
