Gospel of John - When Jesus isn't Instant

        

When Jesus Isn’t Instant - Part 1

John 11:1-16

The story of Lazarus rising from the dead has been heralded since that moment he walked out of the grave. But even with the marvel of this wondrous miracle, the real message to be herald is that Jesus has come. Let’s delve into the lesson for this week. Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were from Bethany, about a mile and three fourths from Jerusalem. Earlier in Jesus' ministry, Mary had interrupted a meal at Simon, a Pharisee's home by entering and falling at Jesus’ feet. With her tears she wet his soiled feet and wiped them clean with her long strands of hair. After she finished cleaning Jesus’ feet in adoration, she kissed his feet and then taking an alabaster perfume anointed his feet to the loathing and abhorrence of Simon the Pharisee, who wouldn’t have given Mary the slightest look because she was considered a sinner and unworthy of him. But Jesus castigated Simon for his lack of hospitality and decorum, and his lack of compassion for the woman (Luke 7:37-39).

It was to this family, to which sickness and death had come. This sent the two sisters to their knees in supplication for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus of this sickness. For not only was Lazarus sick, he was a friend and someone Jesus loved. 

When Jesus received word of this calamity, he knew from the Father that this sickness wouldn’t end in the finality of death, but in glory to God and to His Son in whom God had sent. This sickness wasn’t a surprise to God, but another way to demonstrate his love and the wondrous works of God through his Son.

Application - There probably hasn’t been a home where the calamity of sickness or death has come and deracinated the peace and security of a family. Lazarus’ story turned the entire town from serenity to mourning. 

I have been to too many funerals of young people who have died of sickness or other means. We plead with the family in prayer for a miracle from God. For it seems some people hold reverence for God, and for others it was just a respectable act to do.

For many, they send a prayer to God, knowing that he loves us because the Bible says “For God so loved the World…” yet don’t expect an answer. Then there are those whose devotion to God and His Son is like Mary’s and her family. They worship and adore Jesus in all places and times even in places where they are shunned and considered pariahs. They sacrifice in love and service and don’t respond to the criticism of those who deride them. Their prayer of faith is in the certainty of God hearing and responding to their needs. They know that he hears and honors their supplications. For Jesus said “the Father already knows what we need even before we ask” (Matt. 6:8). Their expectations are in God’s will “be done on earth as it is heaven”.

Next, waiting on Jesus to respond instantly wasn’t a normal ritual. Jesus didn’t operate on the time of men, but on the will of the Father. Let’s look at the next portion of the text, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 

Jesus was still staying along the Jordan river where John the Baptist had first baptized. When word came of the plight of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He spoke words of comfort for the family and to the couriers of his coming to their home. After the departure of the messengers, Jesus stayed along the Jordan river two more days. He needed to obey the Father’s will instead of the angst of mankind. Jesus then began to explain to his disciples and others of his need to return to Judea in order to fulfill the Father’s will. He said, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

Jesus knew the disciples didn't understand fully the will of God for their Rabbi and Master. So Jesus again taught them the importance of following him. The works of God still need to be done, even in areas of high risk. For the disciples were more concerned for their own safety and the safety of Jesus. Jesus again begins to teach them the importance of light and the dangers of darkness. “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

The walk of faith is to walk in the light. Jesus knew that light brought safety but also visibility. He knew they didn’t need to take unnecessary risks, but God had sent him for this purpose into a darkened world. It wasn’t his time to go into Jerusalem yet, but it was his time to do the works of God. The disciples needed to learn to follow him, the light of the World. For in this light they wouldn’t stumble. Yet night would fall, and those who walked in the darkness would stumble, for they had no light, nor were they walking in the light.

Application - In the commands of Jesus for the church, it is believing in the Son, faith, and in following his guidance by the Holy Spirit and His inerrant Word that are paramount in walking by faith. It is the trusting of his Word that we will know the way. Like the disciples it didn’t seem right to return to the place where they wanted to kill their master, but Jesus knew that he was to do the works of the Father. This is the promise of Jesus to those who believe he is still doing the works of God through his disciples today.  “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Jn. 14:12-14 

Jesus said He is the Light to the World. This includes all mankind. He knew the importance of walking in the light, both physically and spiritually. In life we are told to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). In this we will walk by the light of his Word (Ps. 119:105) and to not lean on our own understanding of situations but in faith. (Prov. 3:5:6)

For Jesus also said there will be a time of darkness where we cannot work (As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Jn. 9:4-5) 

I believe that the darkness in the world is nearing completion. Jesus spoke of the end days like the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37). For the Word said of those days, “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Gen. 6:5) 

Knowing this, we need to do the works of God and walk in the light, for the night draws near with deep darkness and many will stumble. Like Jesus, we must live according to the will of God and His timing, for “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa. 55:8-9

Last, Jesus tells them plainly the reason for going to Bethany. Let’s look at the rest of the text, “After he had said this, he went on to tell them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.’ His disciples replied, ‘Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.’ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus begins with what his disciples already knew, Lazarus is very sick, but he now tells them Lazarus has fallen asleep. The disciples assume that getting natural sleep means he is recovering from the illness, and that is good news. Jesus now opens their minds and ears to the truth. Lazarus has died, and they are going back to Bethany to fulfill the will of the Father in doing the works of God. The disciples have yet to understand that walking by faith truly means not by sight (human reasoning and natural abilities) but trusting in God’s will and the direction of the Spirit of God. Jesus told them, “for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” 

It is here the undiscerning disciple Thomas and possibly others stand and confirm the misbelief among themselves. He believes they are going to their death. “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

Application - In this text, Jesus knows God the Father has a day set, a time for him to bring glory to the Son. In our time on Earth, we rely on his faithfulness, and in his answers to our prayers. Some praying people have long prayer lists of people who are sick, infirmed, disabled by disease, or near death. It is in faith in the promises of Jesus that they believe God will heal, deliver from temptations, bondage and addictions, and provide for the needs of life in times of trials. God is just and righteous in all his ways, and knows the perfect timing of all events, especially to prayers, supplications, and petitions, and we wait for the promises of God. God has sent his messenger(s) through the Holy Spirit, the angels, and the written Word. As Ecclesiastes says, there is a time for all things (For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecc. 3:1) 

And then there are those who believe like Thomas that it is death that is the end of life. To many death is the end of life, but to those who have faith in Jesus it is stepping into eternity. In eternity, there are two ways, (heaven prepared for by Jesus) or the other (Hell a place of eternal torment for mankind who didn’t believe in Jesus and the unresting place of justifiable  torment for Satan, the fallen angels, and his demons). 

All of us will face this reality, and it is in Jesus we place our hope and trust. God the Father is the only one who knows the times. One day he will send His Son for His Bride, the church. In the times of the book of Revelation, there will be a great resurrection of bodies and souls, some to eternal life in heaven because of faith and to others eternal damnation because of sins and unbelief. The ultimate question is: What is your eternal destiny?  Will you walk in the light by faith in Jesus Christ or in the darkness, stumbling in unbelief into eternal torment? Death is not the end. Jesus will fulfill the Father’s will in the Father’s timing, and when he comes it will be instantaneous, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:52

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com