LIFE OF
CHRIST
John 11
ETERNAL LIFE
LIFE OF CHRIST #39
As we continue our
study of the Life of Christ we find the Lord Jesus confronting death. Last time we saw him having dinner with and
confronting a bunch of self-righteous Pharisees. This week, we see the passing of His good
friend Lazarus and His subsequent raising of Lazarus from the dead. In this passage eternal life is very much a
part of the discussion.
THE PROBLEM –
Vss. 1-16
The problem
presented here is an age old problem that everyone has to deal with it.
Vss. 1-3 – There was evidently a close friendship between the Lord Jesus and
Lazarus. Lazarus was sick. His sisters,
Mary and Martha, were also loyal followers of Jesus and Jesus had been a guest
in their home, probably on more than on occasion.
Vs. 4 – When Jesus said that the sickness was not “unto death”, He didn’t mean
that Lazarus wouldn’t die. He would
die. But his resurrection four days
later would bring glory to God.
We need to
remember that many of the problems we face are designed to bring glory to God. The way God strengthens us during these
problems and shows His presence will bring glory to Him. We must remember that problems are designed
to correct, strengthen us, and if we let them, bring glory to God. James 1:2-4
Vss. 5-6 – I read these two verses together because I want you to notice
something. Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and
Lazarus, and yet He still delayed His coming to their aid.
I want you realize
that when God delays helping you or giving you the relief you think that you
need, that He still loves you. His
delays have reason.
Jesus was Perea on
the other side of the
Figuring a day’s
journey for the messenger to arrive and report to Jesus, two days wait, a day’s
journey for Jesus to get to Bethany, Lazarus was in the grave four days as
stated in Verse 17.
So why did Jesus
delay his arrival? Here is a good possible reason shared by John MacArthur:
“The Jews believed that the soul hovered around the body for three days after
death, hoping to reenter it. But on the fourth day, after noticing that the
body was beginning to decompose, the soul departed. Only then would a death be
considered completely irreversible, Lazarus had been dead for four days, and
his body had already started to decompose. The Jews therefore would have
recognized that only a divine miracle could restore him to life.” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New
Testament Commentary, John 1-11, (Chicago, Moody Press, 2006), pp. 461-462
In verses 14-15
we see another reason for Jesus’ delay.
It would have strengthened the faith of the disciples. The time of Jesus’ death was drawing near,
and their faith would need to be strong.
The problem in our
story is death.
Death has
historically been a problem.
No matter how long
you or your loved ones live, unless Jesus comes again beforehand, you and your
loved ones all will die.
Why is there
death? It all began back in the Garden
of Eden. The Garden of Eden was a
perfect environment. God had told Adam
to eat of any fruit he wanted but one. Genesis 2:16-17
The moment Adam
and Eve disobeyed God there was Spiritual death and later there would be
physical death. There was a separation
between God and Man caused by sin that became part of man’s nature. Romans
5:12, Ezekiel 18:4
The problem of
physical death is bad enough. But eternal separation from God and the eternal
punishment for our sins that come with spiritual death is an even greater
problem.
Romans 6:23a - For the wages of sin is death;
So, death is a
problem for everyone who ever lived.
We all deserve
death physical and spiritual.
THE
PROCLAMATION – Vss. 17-25a
Vss. 17-20 – Jesus arrived. The traditional
mourning period was taking place, complete with professional mourners and
friends coming to call. People from
Martha, more
forceful in personality of the two sisters, did not wait for Jesus to come to
her. She went to Him.
Vs. 21 – This is not necessarily a word of rebuke. It was a statement of fact
and faith. Martha knew that if Jesus had
been there He would have healed Lazarus.
There was no question in her mind.
Vs. 22 – Martha’s statement here seemed to reinforce what she had just said
about Jesus’ healing ability. She
believed that He still had the ability to heal and work the miracles that He
had done in the past. However, she was
not thinking of Jesus was capable of raising her brother from the dead. Her faith, like ours, had its limits. The limits we put on our faith are often not
limits God wants us to put on our faith.
Vs. 23 – Jesus proclaimed that her brother would rise again. Jesus meant
immediately.
Vs. 24 – Martha did believe in the resurrection in the last day and that
Lazarus would be part of it.
She wasn’t
expecting anything any sooner.
Vs. 25a - Jesus makes a proclamation here that does pertain to the resurrection
of Lazarus from the grave, and the resurrection of all believers.
Jesus is the
resurrection! If Jesus is the resurrection,
then He could raise her Brother from the dead right then and there. If Jesus is
the resurrection, then He can raise you from the dead as well.
Why could Jesus
say that He is the resurrection and the life?
We already
mentioned the problem of sin.
It is Jesus Christ
the, perfect, sinless, Son of God, who laid down his life for us. Romans 5:6-9,
2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus died to give
you eternal life. Romans 6:23
Jesus is the
resurrection because He is the first person to rise from the dead to die no
more. Lazarus died again. Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5, 1 Corinthians
15:20-23
Your hope for
resurrection and eternal life is found in Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life.
Not only do you
have eternal life in Christ, Christian bear in mind that you have abundant life
in Christ. John 10:10
PROMISE – Vss.
25b-27
John 11:25 - …he that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live:
Jesus is talking
about the body here. It a person
believes in Christ, though His physical body is dead, his physical body shall
live.
The believer in
Christ who has passed away, where is he or she until the resurrection? That person’s spirit is with the Lord.
The Apostle Paul
made that very clear. Philippians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
So that beloved
child, sibling, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend who was a
true believer in Christ is in Heaven awaiting the rejoining of their spirit
with their body on Resurrection Day!
Though he is dead, yet shall he live!
1 Corinthians
15:52 - In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed.
John 11:26 - And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
The one who lives
is the one who believes on Christ.
The one who
believes on Christ will never die spiritually.
We will all die
physically unless Jesus comes in our lifetime. But spiritually we will live.
Jesus asked Martha
if she believed this.
What does it mean
to believe in Jesus?
It means to trust
in Him alone for forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
It means that all
your confidence is in Christ alone.
You are not
relying on your own goodness, your own effort, or your own ability to obey God.
You acknowledge
your own sin and inability to save yourself. You turn from your own self effort
and your sin to trust Jesus Christ alone as the one who died for you and the
one who gives you life.
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son
hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Vs. 27 – Martha expressed her faith in Christ! She is alive in Heaven. She will
be part of the resurrection to eternal life. Have you?
PROOF – Vss.
38-45
Jesus proved that
He was the resurrection by raising Lazarus from the dead.
Vs. 38 - After an interview with Mary, they went to the tomb.
Vs. 39 – Jesus commanded that the stone be rolled away.
Martha
objected. He had been in the grave four
days and had begun to decompose. He would stink!
Martha reminds me
that even though we have faith in Jesus, we don’t always have faith enough!
Vss. 41-42 – Jesus reminded her of His promise and then prayed.
Vss. 42-44 – Jesus gave a mighty shout and Lazarus came forth out of the grave.
Jesus proved His
ability beyond the shadow of a doubt.
If your faith is
in Jesus Christ, you need to be listening for another shout. Your loved ones who know Jesus Christ will
also hear that shout! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
PROBLEM
PROCLAMATION
PROMISE
PROOF
Are you a true
believer? If not, come to Christ this
morning!
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