Comfort from the King

Comfort from the King John 11:17-37

Introduction: The insanity this week in Colorado reminds dramatically reminds us that we live in a sinful world. The movie that premiered that night was called “The Dark Knight” and it reminds us that another “dark knight” is on the prowl, always looking for someone to devour. Last week’s text reminded us in John 11:10 "…if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." The movie was called “The Dark Knight” and the incident is a reminder that this world is a dark place… A quick look at our prayer list makes it clear that we are surrounded by hurting people. Some are grieving, others struggling with sickness, financial hardships, family matters. And our church is not unique. After all Jesus did say “In the world you might have an occasional tough day…” right? No, He said “In the world you will have tribulation…” That is a certainty, but just as sure is the promise that the day is coming when He will “…wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying…” That day is still future, but even now He is with us when we pass through the hard times, we are never alone, He promises those who trust Him that He will never leave us or forsake us. And the future hope He gives strengthens us today. Today we return to Bethany, a small town just outside of Jerusalem. Jesus is coming to his friends, people who he loved who went through the heartbreak of seeing a loved one fall sick and die. That had sent for him, they knew he was their only hope, but he was late. Or was He? The Big Idea: When crises come remember who Jesus is, and be encouraged that He understands. Hope in Him.

I. When crises come, remember who Jesus is: He is God, the source of resurrection life (17-27).

Notice first of all the timing and circumstance of Jesus’ arrival (17-19).

“So when Jesus came He found that he had already been in the tomb four days…”

This gives us a hint as to why Jesus had delayed. There could be no doubt that Lazarus was dead. There was no hope of him being “resuscitated” from a coma. There are other stories in the Bible of someone who died being raised to life, but the buried their dead quickly, usually that very day. This is the only example of someone dead and buried for four days being raised to life. Remember John chose carefully and intentionally the seven miracle stories in this Gospel. They were signs, testimony that clearly related something about who Jesus is. Notice in verse 18 is a little detail that adds a slightly ominous note to the story: Bethany was just outside of Jerusalem. The city of peace was anything but peaceful toward Jesus. It’s the place where Jesus’ opponents had sought to stone Him. Jesus arrived in Bethany and the scene was typical of a mourning Jewish family. If the people could afford it, besides the friends and family that would be gather around the grieving family, the family would hire some professional mourners, sometimes playing instruments, sometimes just to cry loudly when people approached, signaling that yes, this was a house in mourning. 11:21-24 Shows faith and hope on Martha’s part. First she has seen enough to know that had Jesus been present Lazarus would not have died. She had seen him heal others and there was no question in her mind that He would have healed her brother had he been there. But verse 22 is remarkable, it goes much further, it seems to be acknowledging Jesus’ lordship, even over death:

“…but even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you…”

(As a side note we should remember the miracle in 4:45-54, Jesus healed the nobleman’s son from a distance, He didn’t have to be there!) Jesus, the Rabbi, the master teacher, is drawing her out, allowing her to express her faith, leading her into deeper faith, v.23, “Your brother will rise again…” Hope! Promise! A statement of fact about the future: “He will rise again…” By the way that is our hope, everyone of us who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Paul said, speaking of the connection between the resurrection of Jesus and the future resurrection of believers, in 1 Corinthians 15:23

“…Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming...”

Martha reflects that hope in v.24, “I know that he will rise again the resurrection of the last day.” Having expressed that faith, Jesus begins to set the stage for what He is about to do. First Jesus makes a powerful statement about who He is:

“I AM the resurrection and the life” (25).

Here, for the 16th time in this gospel, Jesus uses the phrase “I AM…” to say something about himself. I hope by now there is no question in your mind that that phrase, on the lips of Jesus, is an intentional allusion back to the Old Testament revelation of God, the great I AM who spoke to Moses and the prophets. It’s a claim to deity. This is one statement that almost certainly had to be understood that way, even by Martha: “I AM the resurrection and the life.” Who is the source and the power behind the future resurrection than God himself? Only God is the author and sustainer of life. --This teaching of Jesus ties strongly into the central message that John is emphasizing in the Gospel: A call to believe who Jesus is, God in the flesh, and a promise that if you do you’ll live forever (see John 20:30,31). He goes on to say here, in John 11:25-26, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Obviously Jesus knew what she believed, but He is teaching her, growing her faith even as He is leading her to express it. Clearly He is not saying that believing in Him is a guarantee that we will never experience physical death. Lazarus did. Eventually everyone of the disciples of Jesus died, most of them as martyrs. --Martha’s Confession here is remarkable, and in this context it seems to go beyond anything we’ve heard earlier in the gospel:

“Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world…”

Martha’s affirmation of faith in Jesus stands with the other great confessions of His identity in this gospel (1:49; 6:69). It anticipates John’s purpose statement for writing his gospel:

“These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (20:31).

Martha spoke emphatically (the Greek text adds the personal pronoun in addition to the verb, “I myself have believed…” It’s as though Martha pointed her finger back at herself for emphasis, I believe!) and declared three vital truths about Jesus: 1) Like Andrew (1:41), she confessed that He was the Christ, or Messiah; 2) like John the Baptist (1:34), Nathanael (1:49), and the disciples (Matt. 14:33) she affirmed that He was the Son of God; 3) and finally, like the Old Testament had predicted (cf. Is. 9:6; Mic. 5:2), she referred to Him as He who comes into the world… The One that all of the Scriptures had anticipated and all of creation needed was here. *** When crises come remember who Jesus is, and be encouraged that He understands. Hope in Him.

II. When crises come, be assured that Jesus understands & empathizes: Jesus was filled with anger and compassion (28-37).

Martha goes to get Mary, saying “the Teacher” had come and is calling for her. She meets Jesus, falls at his feet in tears (11:32,33).

First of all, Jesus was angry:

Of the English language translations I was able to check, only the New Living Translation seems to get this right: “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.” John 11:33, NLT. Was it anger at the scene in general, the professional mourners, intermingled with the heart broken family and friends, or was it anger at death itself and the consequences of sin that this scene exemplified? Mark uses the same word in Mark 14:5 to describe the anger of the disciples as they scolded Mary for the extravagant waste of resources when she anoints the feet of Jesus… It also says in 11:33 that Jesus was “deeply troubled.” This is the word that describes an unsettling, disturbing feeling, in the pit of your stomach, when something is terribly wrong. Its what Herod felt, and all Jerusalem with him, when word came to him of Magi searching for a new-born king. Here is the King of all creation, confronting what is wrong in our world, sin and death, and it angers Him, it troubles Him.

Secondly, Jesus was grieved: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).

There is always speculation about why Jesus cried. Was it because the soul of Lazarus was in Heaven and he would now have to return to his body in this sin cursed world? Maybe. But remember the setting. He is near Jerusalem. The Passover is approaching. And the cross. And I believe this scene, the death of his friend, the weeping of his family, reminded Jesus of what must soon happen. He was already for a moment in Gethsemane, feeling the weight of our sin. As He empathized with Martha and Mary in their pain, He felt for a second the alienation that existed between Holy God and sinful humans, created in His image, created for fellowship and communion with Him, but with that image marred by sin. John reminds us that Jesus is in control, but He came to lay down his life for his sheep. He came to be the perfect sacrifice, and His hour was approaching.

What is God saying to me in this passage?

When crises come remember who Jesus is, and be encouraged that He understands. Hope in Him. After all, He loved you enough to die for you.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage?

Have you put your trust in Him? Al’s message last Sunday night reminded us that we should not presume on the future – we don’t know what a day may bring, this is the day of salvation. Do you sense a stirring in your heart? Jesus said come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” Trust Him, He is Lord! “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That’s a promise from God. Believer in Jesus, you may be passing through a time of pain, even heartbreak. Look to the King of all Creation. He is with you. It doesn’t depend on a feeling. It doesn’t matter if you sense He is there. His promise is sure: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He knows your pain, and He promises that the day will come that the psalmist anticipated: Psalm 30:10-12

"Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!" 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Amen.