John Lesson 31

Introduction

We’ve been studying verse by verse in the Gospel of John, and we’ve come now to chapter 11. I hope that you’ll get your Bible open and read together with us as we could study about one of the most touching and impressive stories in the life of Jesus Christ, the time in which he raised Lazarus from the grave. In chapter 11 of John, verses 1 and 2, the setting is given for us. And it says a certain man was sick named Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary, and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The story about Lazarus is one about a close friend of Jesus. And he lived in a town called Bethany, just about two miles from Jerusalem.

Now Jesus had been in this area, but as we studied in chapter 10, you may recall that after Jesus had said to the Jews, I and my father are one, they took up stones to stone him, and they said they were doing so for blasphemy because he made himself God. And Jesus therefore had left Jerusalem and gone beyond Jordan to the area where John the Baptist had earlier been baptizing. While he was there, the message was sent to him that Lazarus was sick. And we’re told in these first two verses that it was the same Lazarus whose sisters were Mary and Martha. And then you see in parentheses in verse 2, it says it’s the same Mary that had anointed the feet of Jesus. Now that story occurred, that is the anointing of Jesus, occurred sometime later than the incident of John 11.

1. This Sickness Is Not Unto Death

But it’s put in here to give us a clear reference as to which Mary is intended. Actually, the story is told in John the 12th chapter. You certainly realize that the Gospel of John was written many years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And so there may be an occasion like this where something is put out of chronological order. John could do that when he writes later and is simply telling the story here. But he’s giving us the certain facts as to which Mary is intended. The sisters, Mary and Martha, close companions of Jesus, and whom Jesus indeed loved. The reading in verses three through ten, therefore his sister sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 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.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, and when he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, let us go into Judea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. Whenever the disciples heard that Jesus wanted to go into Judea again, they questioned the wisdom of such. As we had earlier said, Jesus had left Jerusalem, he had left this area of Judea because the Pharisees, the Jews, sought to stone him.

And they questioned whether Jesus ought to go into that area again because his life would be endangered. And when Jesus spoke about walking in the day or walking in the light versus walking in the night when one would stumble, he of course is using a figure here or an illustration. He was able to know what would come to pass. And he knew that the Jews would not take him, that he would they would not be crucified until his hour was come. The disciples did not have any way of knowing this, but Jesus did, and therefore he walked as one who was in the light, and he knew that it was safe for him to go to Bethany at this time. However, in verses three through four, you may notice that when Jesus first received word concerning Lazarus, Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death.

Now that may sound rather strange when we, by reading the text, know that Lazarus did die. In fact, Jesus, after hearing the message, remained where he was for two more days. It seems to make certain that Lazarus was dead, and that all who were around would know without question that he was dead. So what does Jesus mean when he says that this sickness is not unto death? Well, really, the emphasis is in the remaining part of verse 4. When Jesus said this sickness is not unto death, that is the end result is not just going to be death, but there’s a greater purpose for it. He said that purpose is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified. Jesus knew, as one who walks in the light, Jesus knew that this would be an occasion of working one of the greatest miracles that he worked while on earth.

2. The Purpose for Miracles

Now it also gives us some understanding about the purpose for miracles. You see, Jesus healed the sick on many different occasions. In fact, we pointed out as we’ve studied through the gospel of John, that John often makes mention of the signs that Jesus worked. In fact, the concluding words of the book in John chapter 20, verses 30 and 31 go like this. Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name. The miracles that Jesus worked were significant. They were for a purpose, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ.

But the miracles that Jesus worked and that are recorded in the Gospel of John were not simply to prove that Jesus was some super doctor. He was not going about healing the blind man or healing the man who had been lame for thirty-eight years or even turning the water to wine just to prove that he was some superhuman being. He didn’t go about simply trying to to be some kind of special doctor that could not be found anywhere else in the country. There was a purpose for the miracles of Jesus it was to prove that he was deity that he was the Son of God who had come in the flesh God with us. And now this miracle in raising Lazarus from the grave was going to prove that Jesus is the resurrection and life that he has power over death that Jesus can free men even today who are under the control and power of Satan and that is they suffer spiritual death.

Jesus is the means by which we can have spiritual life. Jesus said this is for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. You may recall even back in John chapter nine verse three whenever the blind man was brought to Jesus and and Jesus said there that the works of God should be made manifest in him. His very blindness and be healing being healed from his blindness would prove that God was with Jesus. That really raises a question what was the purpose for miracles? And in Acts chapter two and verse 22 we have a very clear answer as to one of the purposes for miracles that were worked by Jesus. In Acts chapter two, the text is at the time after the Lord had been crucified, he had been raised and ascended into heaven.

It was on the day of Pentecost. It was at the time that the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles, and the first gospel sermon is recorded as Peter standing up with the eleven began to preach concerning Christ. In Acts 2 and verse 22, Peter said, Ye men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know. These miracles and wonders and signs were done that you might know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He is a man approved of God. You see, the miracles were the Father’s testimony. The works that Jesus did were the works of the Father, and they gave testimony of heaven that Jesus is the Christ.

They bore witness that Jesus is the Son of God. But not only did Jesus Christ work miracles, indeed, he also imparted this power of working miracles to his apostles, who in turn, as they laid hands on believers, imparted certain spiritual gifts that others also might work miracles. It’s quite apparent that as you read the New Testament that there were many miracles worked even after the life of Jesus Christ on this earth. But when we began to look at the reason why, we observed that there were two main purposes for miracles being worked in the first century. And first of all, they are described by Jesus Christ in John chapter 16 and verse 13, where Jesus made the statement concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit. He said, How be it, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth.

For he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. Miracles were essential in the first century when they didn’t have the New Testament written like you and I have today. They needed a revelation of truth. And so there were the miracles of revelation. There was a need for prophecy. There was a need for the ability to speak in tongues. There was a need for the ability to have truth revealed unto them that they might teach it to the lost, that they might bring men to the faith in Christ Jesus and to have salvation through that knowledge and that revelation of truth. So they needed miracles to have truth revealed. But furthermore, there was a need to confirm that truth.

You see, when the apostles spake, how would you know whether or not they were teaching truth? Today you can test whether or not I’m teaching truth because you can get your Bibles open and you should, and you should test the preacher. Can you give me book, chapter, and verse for what you’re teaching? You should be able to test them. Well, in the first century they didn’t have a Bible or at least a New Testament to test the words of the New Testament. And yet there was a way to confirm that these were these men were of God and speaking the truth of God. And the way that was confirmed was by the miracles. Hebrews chapter 2, verses 3 and 4, the apostle said, How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders and with diverse miracles and with gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own will. You see, the word was confirmed. God bore them witness. That as they spake truth, it was confirmed by the miracles and wonders and signs which the apostles did, or which those upon whom the apostles had laid hands did. Miracles were essential in the first century that the truth may be revealed and that it might be confirmed as the truth. But are miracles being worked today as they were in New Testament times? There are many who believe that they are. But the scripture teaches otherwise.

3. When That Which Is Perfect Is Come

In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, in verses 9 and 10, in the midst of a context where the apostle is talking about spiritual gifts, he discusses the attitudes that they ought to have toward one another. At Corinth, there seems to be jealousy over which gift was the most important one. Some thought tongue speaking was a greater gift than the others. The apostle really teaches in the context, he said, I’d rather speak five words that people can understand than ten thousand that they cannot understand. Tongue speaking is not any more important than prophesying. Not any one miracle is more important than the other miracles. But all these miracles, the spiritual gifts, were essential for the revelation of truth and confirmation of truth. But notice, in 1 Corinthians 13, 9 and 10, he says there’s going to come a time that these miracles would cease.

He said, We know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. There will come a time when these parts will no longer be necessary, and there will come a time that they will cease, they will be put away. Today we have the word of truth fully revealed. We have the truth fully confirmed. I ask you, if a person comes up and says, I’ve got some new revelation, some new truth, would you believe him? You shouldn’t. The apostle said in Galatians chapter 1, verses 6 through 8, if we are an angel from heaven preach any other gospel than that which we preach, let him be accursed. Anybody that adds something to this book is a false teacher.

Or anybody who would take something from it is a false teacher. We don’t need any new truth being revealed. So there’s no need for miracles today of revelation, are there? Those miracles have ceased. Truth no longer needs to be revealed, it’s fully revealed. And furthermore, there is no need for confirmation of truth. I do not need to work a miracle to prove to you that I’m reading from the Word of God as we study John chapter 11. It long ago has been confirmed as inspired word of God. And therefore the need for for miracles of confirmation are longer no longer necessary. When that which is perfect is come, the book has been fully revealed, fully confirmed, and therefore it is completely given to us. And when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Oh yes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and and tomorrow, as Hebrews chapter 13 and verse 8 so says. But that doesn’t prove that miracles have to still be worked. I ask you the question. Do you know of any dead being raised today? We’re reading here in John chapter eleven about Lazarus being raised from the grave. And those who quite often use Hebrews 13 and verse 8 like to say, Oh, if Jesus worked miracles in the first century, they could be worked today. Then why not the same kind of miracles being worked today? The very fact that the dead cannot be raised proves that that that is an abuse of Hebrews 13 and verse 8. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But my friends, Jesus Christ once walked on earth.

He’s not walking on earth today. His character is the same, he’s still full of love, full of mercy. He is by whom grace and truth did come. He is the same, his word is dependable, but he is not doing the same works that he once did. Miracles were once necessary, they’re no longer necessary. Or in John 14 and verse 12, where the scripture says that that those who believe on Christ shall do greater works than Jesus did. I ask you. If men cannot even raise the dead, what greater work are they able to do? What greater miracle than raising the dead? And yet those today who profess to work miracles cannot raise the dead. They can’t even do what he did as far as miracles on the earth.

The greater works that men can do of John 14 and verse 12 are those things having pertain pertaining to eternal life. You today can teach a man what to do to be saved. You can teach a man not simply how to have physical needs, but you teach him the how to have spiritual life. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, Jesus said. And you can preach that, and therefore you prepare a man for death. You prepare a man for eternity. Those are greater works than even Jesus did while on earth. Jesus came to prepare the plan of salvation. He died for us that we might be saved. You and I preach that salvation. Indeed, miracles a day are not being worked. In John chapter 11, verses eleven through sixteen, Jesus, the scripture said, These things said he, and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth.

4. I Was Glad for Your Sakes

But I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death, but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest and sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and I was glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe. Nevertheless, let us go unto him. You notice in verse 15, Jesus said, I was glad for your sakes that I was not there. What could he have meant? He was glad that Lazarus died. Study with us in just a moment. We’ll be back and discuss that very question. It seems rather strange that Jesus would say to his disciples in John chapter 11 and verse 15, I was glad that I was not there at the time of the death of Lazarus.

That may sound as though Jesus was saying that he was glad Lazarus died, but we know better than that because when Jesus came to the grave of Lazarus in John 11, verse 35, he wept. He was not glad at the death of Lazarus, but he says in verse 15, I was glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent that ye might believe. You see, Jesus knew what was to take place. He knew that he would raise Lazarus from the grave, and furthermore, he knew that that the death of Lazarus was but as one who was asleep. In fact, that’s the very terminology that Jesus used when he said, let’s go to the grave of Lazarus. Lazarus sleepeth. The fact that he used the term sleep simply describes that he was as one from a human point of view who appeared to be asleep.

It’s a common expression in both Old and New Testament. Second Chronicles chapter 14, verse 1 said that Abijah died, or he slept with his fathers. And many times that expression is found to simply describe death. It does not mean that one becomes unconscious or that he ceases to be, as some people would teach, but rather simply that from a human point of view a person becomes as though asleep, as though he is not aware of what is going on in this world. Indeed, Jesus spoke about how that when one died, he returns unto the Father. In the Old Testament, Ecclesiastes chapter 12 and verse 7 spoke about how that the dust returneth unto dust, and the spirit returns unto God who gave it. One does not become unconscious at death, or nor does he cease to exist, but rather his spirit or inward part returns unto the Father.

When we get that perspective of what happens at death, we perhaps better understand what Jesus is saying really in this passage. I was glad for your sakes that ye might believe. The sorrows of death are not the worst thing that can happen. There’s something much worse than physical death, and that is spiritual death, eternal death, eternal separation from God. Jesus, however, came to that we might have life, that we might have it more abundantly, that we might overcome physical death. Sometimes when people face death, it is at a time they become more serious about life, about preparing for judgment. Indeed, the purpose for our existence now is that we might prepare for death and for judgment. And so really it could be said even today that death can be a good thing.

When there is a death of a close one, a loved one. Does it make us more conscious of the need for Jesus Christ? Does it bring a close d does it bring us closer unto him, cause us to prepare ourselves for judgment? If so, then likewise Jesus could say, I am glad, to the intent that ye might believe. All of us need to soberly consider that we shall one day die, and we shall one day face judgment. Continuing chapter eleven, verses seventeen through twenty two, then said uh then when Jesus came he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off, and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother.

5. I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hast been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Verse 17 said that he had been four days in the grave, taking the fact that perhaps uh Lazarus died on the very time at the very day that they sent for Jesus, one day in travel for him. You remember earlier he stayed or remained where he was for two days after he learned about Lazarus being sick, and then another day for him to travel would make a total of four days. But Jesus had tarried in order that they might know for sure that Lazarus was dead.

Four days he is in the grave. But when Jesus arrives, it is Martha who comes out to meet him, and Martha says, If thou hast been here, my brother had not died. Now that isn’t to be understood as a rebuke. Martha was not rebuking the Lord, but rather it was really a a matter of praise, an expression of praise. For she is really showing her faith and confidence, just as Jesus had worked other miracles. She knew without a doubt that had Jesus been there, he could have prevented Lazarus from dying. He could have worked a miracle to have healed Lazarus from his sickness. But now Lazarus is dead. Jesus continued by saying in verses 23 through 26, Thy brother shall rise again. Now Martha didn’t seem to understand what Jesus was speaking about, for she replied in verse 24, Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this. I know that he shall be raised in the resurrection at the last day, Martha said. That was in itself shows that she did not really expect Jesus to go to his grave and say, Lazarus come forth. She was not expecting Jesus to work the great miracle that he did in raising Lazarus from the grave, but rather her thoughts went to the fact of the last day, at the very time that there shall be a resurrection of all, both the good and the evil, as recorded in John chapter 5, verses 28 and 29.

Martha believed in Jesus as the Christ, and she understood there would be a resurrection at the last day, followed by judgment and heaven and hell. And so she says, I know Lazarus will be raised then. And indeed, Jesus is a resurrection and life for that last great day. But even now, he was able to raise Lazarus from the grave. He proves that he is the Son of God, he proves His greatness. He proves that he is able to raise all from the graves by the fact that he could raise Lazarus even physically from the grave. And so when in verses 25 and 6 Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. It’s one of the great I am statements in the book of John. There are seven such statements, bold claims of Jesus.

Now there are many today who would say Jesus is a good man, a great moralist, a great philosopher. But when you come to passages like this, you either have to say that he is everything he claimed to be, or he is a liar. That’s a significant statement. I am the resurrection and the life. He’s more than just a good man. He’s more than just a moralist. He is the means by which there is eternal life. And if you’re going to have eternal life, you must come unto Jesus Christ. In fact, he said, though he were dead, yet shall he live. I believe in verse twenty five he’s talking about physical death. Though one be dead physically, yet shall he live again. And in verse twenty six, he talks about spiritual death.

When he said, Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. He wasn’t saying that you would never suffer physical death, but he’s really saying that when and if you may suffer physical death, if you truly believe in Christ, there will never be the spiritual death. There will always be that union with God. There will always be that life that Jesus came to give. Indeed, if you live and believe in this life, you shall never die in the world to come. How can we live and believe in Jesus Christ? How can we experience this eternal life of what ge of which Jesus is speaking in verses twenty five and verse twenty six? Well, my beloved, as you study through the gospel of John, you must be impressed.

6. To Really Live and Believe Is to Obey

That time and again Jesus exhorts that men ought to believe in him for a life everlasting. But it involves much more than just mental acceptance. It involves much more than just faith only. In our next chapter in John chapter twelve, forty two and 43, we’re going to observe how that there were some rulers of the synagogue, chief rulers, in fact, who believed on Christ. But because the Pharisees, they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. There are those who may believe in Christ, but they believe only. And if faith only is all you have, then it’ll be lost. It’ll be a lost faith. In other words, to really live and believe in Jesus Christ is to obey his word.

Conclusion

It means to do what the Lord said and the way the Lord said, do it. Passages like James chapter 2, verses 14 through 26 teach us that faith, if it hath not works, if it hath not obedience, is dead, being alone. We need to obey from the heart, that form of doctrine delivered us, Romans 6, verses 17 and 18. Or like in Hebrews chapter 5, verses 8 and 9, just as Jesus Christ learned obedience by the things he suffered, he became the offer of eternal life unto all them that obey him. Have you come to accept him truly as the resurrection and the life? Have you bowed yourself in humble obedience to his word, able to say, Lord, show me thy will and I’ll keep it.

Only when you have that kind of faith and that kind of attitude can you experience the joy that’s really in Christ and the promise of life everlasting. Do you hope beyond the grave? Indeed, if you believe in the Christ, you can. We hope the Lord will be with and bless you and keep you until our next study.