Disclaimer: This is a very famous passage of scripture, and will be addressed in several parts. However, I do not want to take for granted that everyone is familiar with how this passage ends. This is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. In the account, we learn that Jesus allowed this all to happen for a purpose. Lazarus died, and Jesus brought Him back...teaching us, and those who witnessed the event, much about Himself.
John 11:1-6 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
Opening Thought:
How do you know if someone loves you? Do they tell you? Are they just always there when you need them? Do they seem to know you better then anybody else? Or, is there just something about them that gives you a sense of security....a warm fuzzy :D?
We could probably all make a bunch of lists with variants of..."I know someone loves me because they make me feel loved." Processes are different, but this will always be the end result.
What would likely not be on any of our lists would be: "I knew he/she loved me when they deliberately chose not to show up when I needed them most."
On that note...
1. We know Jesus loved these people.
First, let's just get this out: Jesus loves everyone. That love, so powerful and undeserved, is in no way diminished by its universal quality. However, the love with which He loved this family was a special experience of His incarnation. They were His intimate friends while here on the earth. He cared for them; He enjoyed being with them. Now, it is easy to say Jesus loved these people, but unless there is a basis for the claim, it's just an empty claim. It's not. Here's a few things that point to the love He had (has) for them.
a- This is not the only mention of them in the Bible. Only John records this miracle. Likely, this is because (as we'll see later) the Jews were seeking to kill Lazarus and he was likely still living when the other gospels were penned (This has also been mentioned as the why Mary and Martha are not explicitly mentioned in all the gospels. They lived near Jerusalem--a dangerous place for followers of Christ). Nonetheless, the family is mentioned, in some way, by each writer--especially in regards to Mary's anointing of Jesus. Now, the name Mary is problematic in the Bible because there are several ladies that bear that name. Nonetheless, we see the following accounts of this family, at least: Mary Anoints Jesus: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8, Jesus at Mary and Martha's House: Luke 10:38-42, The Resurrection of Lazarus: John 11
b- Mary's anointing of Jesus was known. As Jesus prophesied (see Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9), people told the story of Mary's care for Jesus. This account was so well known, that John refers to Mary as the one "who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair" (vs 2) before he even recorded the account (John 12). This is remembered as a sign of deep love for Christ.
c-They don't give Lazarus' name. When they send for Christ, they call Lazarus the one whom you love.
d-Jesus is moved to tears. Though He knew that Lazarus' life was about to be restored (more on this later) He wept.
e-The Bible tells us. See vs 5 as one example.
2. Because of this love, He did not come.
That being established, we see something very strange in verse 6...the word SO. Now, as an English guy (and it's in the Greek too), I can't jump over a word like that. The word "so" can mean different things, but in this context it implies consequence. It is like saying: I am allergic to oxygen SO breathing is tough...or... A 6X6 post fell on my head, SO I have a concussion.
So... (:D) look at the passage. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
It is because of the love He has for them that He does not go immediately to help. This does not fit into our human perspective.
3. Why?
There are a few things we can see.
1. Waiting ensured that Lazarus would be veritably dead. If he'd only been dead a short time, it could have been have been argued that he'd never really died. Even if He had not delayed 2 days, Lazarus would have been dead 2 days when He arrived. However, from what I understand, there was a superstition that said a soul stayed around the body for up to the first 3 days. Jesus did not want this lie to make people miss His truth.
2. He used this to teach much about Himself (See next week's lesson).
3. It wasn't about them... it was for God's Glory. This is the key. Look at verse 4. 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." The same is true for us today.
Two points of application:
1. God's Time is Best! We want things now! Patience, though a virtue, is not something many of us possess....especially in our "on demand" culture. Yet, God doesn't work that way. He knows everything. He sees everything. Because He loves us, sometimes He will seemed to delay or deny what we think we need. This is always done in His plan and for His Glory.
2. This Illness does not Lead to Death! Though we won't necessarily experience an earthly resurrection like Lazarus, we will be resurrected to eternal life!
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.-2 Corinthians 4:17-18
The Westminster confession says (paraphrase to follow) that the highest goal for man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. There is much truth in that statement. We are to love and serve God. Our life circumstances are to do no less. He has a purpose fueled by love (for He is love). Even when we encounter hardships that just don't make sense to us, we must never forget this!
Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions!
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