Open your bible to John 1:1-16 and get ready for a powerful lesson in overcoming.
First, some introductions. In his writings, John hasn’t mentioned the names of Lazarus or his sisters. He jumps right into the need and clarifies who they are as he goes along.
What we know:
- Lazarus was sick. Not just a little bit, but deathly sick.
- He was from Bethany, a town not far from Jerusalem.
- he was the brother of Mary and Martha.
We only know about Mary and Martha from the other gospel writers. Mary was connected to prostitution and was the woman who washed Jesus’ feet.
She was also the emotional sister, while Martha was the level-headed responsible one. John speaks of them in a way that implies the family was well known to his readers. They were not only known by Jesus but they were loved. What else would they do, but send for Jesus to heal him?
Time for a challenge to verse 4.
But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death,
but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.”
John 11:4 NASB
Did Jesus make a mistake when He said Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death? The simple answer is,” no.” The second part of the verse has a fuller answer. It was to end in a way that would glorify both God and Jesus.
Jesus knew the family well enough to return their love. So, what did Jesus do? Jesus stayed put. He delayed. He waited 2 days, to let Lazarus’s health decline. He knew what the outcome would be. He only ever did what the father told him to do. No more and no less.
It was time to move out. Back to Bethany, to the land of Judea, where the religious leaders were out to kill him. The disciples reminded their master about the close escape from being stoned. Why go back? Why not heal from a distance? Except for the ruler’s son after talking to the Samaritans, John has always recorded miracles when Jesus was present and laying hands on someone.
Jesus’ response was to remind them that When there is work to be done, do it. He comments on the light of this world, which comes and goes in cycles. Humans don’t have light and are not light sources. Jesus is the light that came into the world, but he knew his time was running short.
He tried to soften the sting of death by using a figure of speech. Lazarus is asleep. The disciples didn’t get the euphemism. Why do we need to go back and risk our lives if he’s only sleeping? Just let him sleep and get better.
Jesus had to be blunt and speak plainly. Lazarus is dead. He’s even glad it happened this way. He’s not glad that Lazarus died, or for the grief of Mary and N Martha.
He knew it was for the glory of God and for the chance to amaze his followers, again. It would serve to ingrain their faith all the deeper.
Then an interesting twist in the disciple’s behavior happened.
Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”
John 11:16 NASB
The word ‘therefore” connects what came just before this. Because of what Jesus said… Going to wake their friend… Because of the risk of danger, whether it was sleep or death… something happened.
The disciples had courage. Running to the sounds of gunfire. Willing to die for, and alongside their leader.
The striking thing is who made the declaration. It was Thomas? Not Peter, or the Sons of Thunder, James, and John? Later we know that Thomas will doubt. The good news is that Jesus can strengthen and give even the initial person boldness. As the Indians on the Great Plains would say before a battle. Today is a good day to die. With Jesus, there is the assurance of being resurrected. As the account of Lazarus will demonstrate.
Thanks to the recorded comments from J Vernon McGee. His ministry and daily bible study live on through Through the Bible Ministries (ttb.org)
Scriptures in the show notes and episode are quoted from the King James Version, except when read by Keith, then it’s the NASB.
“Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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