Transcript

Man Alive

John 11:28-44
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Pastor Randy Smith

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"(Death) frustrates us, especially in a time of scientific breakthrough and exploding knowledge, that we should be able to break out of earth's environment and yet be stopped cold by death's unyielding mystery. An electroencephalogram may replace a mirror held before the mouth, autopsies may become more sophisticated, cosmetic embalming may take the place of pennies on the eyelids and canvas shrouds, but death continues to confront us with its black wall. Everything changes; death is changeless. We may postpone it, we may tame its violence, but death is still there waiting for us. Death always waits. The door of the hearse is never closed. Dairy farmer and sales executive live in death's shadow, with Nobel Prize winner and prostitute, mother, infant, teen and old man. The hearse stands waiting for the surgeon who transplants the heart as well as the hopeful recipient, for the funeral director as well as the corpse he manipulates. Death spares no one" (Quoted by Joseph Bayly in his book, The Last Thing We Talk About).

It's true! Death is the last thing we desire to talk about. Honest discussion regarding death is often taboo in polite conversation. People wish to pretend that death isn't real. Yet nothing brings us more grief and possibly more anxiety than the subject of death. There is nothing that we as humans have more in common. It was George Bernard Shaw who said, "The statistics of death are quite impressive - one out of one people die." Though most believe in some form of the afterlife, often they are just wishing for the best and intentionally failing to seriously contemplate the security of their soul. We seek hope at a funeral believing that the deceased is "better off now" or "resting in peace" or "without suffering" when such comments may be contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture.

Do we as humans have any hope? Can we be certain of our eternal destiny? Can we no longer approach death with fear and apprehension? The Scriptures emphatically answer, "yes" to each of those questions. My goal this morning is to see all of you walking out of this auditorium answering, "yes" to each of those questions as well.

In last week's text, our Lord Jesus Christ said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die" (Jn. 11:25-26). For the Christian, death has lost its sting and has become the entrance into a greater fellowship with God. For the Christian, death is not the end of life, rather it is the gateway to the fulness of life. Why else would the Apostle Paul say, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). It was the John himself in the Apocalypse who heard the voice from heaven proclaim, "Blessed (happy) are the dead who die in the Lord from now on" (Rev. 14:13).

For the past two weeks we have been working our way through chapter 11. This morning we come to the climax of this glorious account. We have already seen how the death of Lazarus has brought much sorrow and suffering to the friends and family of those who loved him. This morning we'll witness even more. We'll even see how this event emotionally moved Jesus Himself. But most importantly, we'll see how Jesus verified His claim that He is the "the resurrection and the life" (verse 25) by raising the dead Lazarus from the grave.

1. THE RESPONSE OF MARY (11:28-32)

Barring the arrival of our Lord, all people have one thing in common. We all will die. We may suppress it, but we cannot deny it. Everyone has a response to death. One is biblical. Many are unbiblical. Prior to our Lord's miracle, He deals with three responses to death.

Let's first begin with the response of Mary. You'll remember that we closed last week with the great declaration from Martha. In verse 27 she said, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." Now let's pick up in the text verse 28. "When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there" (Jn. 11:28-31).

I believe that Martha was excited about this private meeting Jesus had called for her sister Mary. After all, the Rabbis of the day refused to instruct women. Additionally, Mary might also confess a sincere faith in Christ as she did. What an exceptional opportunity. A personal meeting one-on-one with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! No wonder "she got up quickly" and came to Jesus as verse 29 indicates. Unfortunately, the intimacy was soon squelched. Jews who were consoling her thought she was going to the tomb (verse 31), so they followed her. This may have seemed unfortunate for Mary, but fortunate for Jesus as He intentionally orchestrated this large gathering to witness His upcoming miracle and the revelation of His glory.

How did Mary respond to the death of her brother and the encounter with Jesus? Her response echoed her sister's. In verse 21 Martha said. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Now in verse 32 Mary said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." I believe neither of these dear women attempted to rebuke Jesus for His lack of action. Rather they sought to express their faith that Jesus could have prevented the death if He desired.

Before we get too critical with these women, let's remember they summoned Jesus for help (verse 3) and painfully waited for Him to arrive. The hours must have drawn out as they watched their brother slowly deteriorate and succumb to his terminal illness. During the four days prior to Christ's arrival they probably often repeated the lines, "If Jesus had been here, our brother would not have died." And as we would expect, when the sisters finally met Jesus, these words naturally fell from their lips. "Lord, if You had been here, our brother would not have died." They were words of faith in the power and compassion of Jesus. They knew that Jesus had the ability to prevent death, but did they realize that He is also sovereign, in perfect control, over the timing and means of death?

The Scriptures teach that Jesus has the "keys of death and Hades (Rev. 1:18). King David declared, "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" (Psm. 139:16). The writer to the Hebrews said, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27). God is fully in control of the day we are born and the day we will die. So many have this belief that God gives life and Satan determines death. But such a belief is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Satan is not the "bad god." He is not even the "chief captain" of hell. On the contrary, he is only the "chief captive" of hell. Even though death came as the result of sin, our God is sovereign over the means and timing of death. The Scriptures say, He "does whatever He pleases" (Psm. 115:3). His plans are beyond our comprehension, but they are always good and always wise. We have consistently seen in this account that Jesus was not surprised, frazzled or caught off guard by the death of Lazarus. We must worship Him and trust Him in all things, even in our response to death.

Often the actions and comments of individuals as they experience the death of a loved one are unforgettable. Over the years, certain responses to death have made a memorable impact on my life.

I remember a mother of a good friend of mine was very religious. She faithfully attended the Catholic Church and decorated the house with various items reflective of her faith. She was very religious that is, until her husband passed away. I'll never forget my friend's response when I asked him how his mother was doing. He said, "Randy, she has completely lost her faith." Even as an unbeliever at the time those words left a very definite impact.

On the other extreme, I can recall woman in my former church that lost her father. When I sought to console her by expressing my condolences she practically rebuked me! She felt that any expression of human sorrow was tantamount to blasphemy! I never forgot that response either.

Possibly one of the most impacting responses I've heard concerning death came to me from a mature young woman that lost her Christian father in an accident when she was just a child. She said upon coming come from school her mother approached her with deep sorrow and tears. The mother's only comment was, "Something wonderful happened today, Daddy is now with Jesus."

Amidst some imperfections, I believe Mary gives us a model for God-honoring action in the face of death. Her response is not one that expressed anger toward Christ. Nor was it one that was too pious to express sorrow. Verse 33 says she was "weeping" when she met Jesus. Even though she believed that Jesus held the power over life and death, her response upon meeting Jesus is one of worship. In verse 32 we read that she "fell at His feet" and then referred to Him as "Lord." As a sign of her maturity, in deep sorrow, she worshipped the Lord. In just two weeks we'll observe how Mary soon after anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume and then wiped them with her hair (Jn. 12:3).

2. THE RESPONSE OF JESUS (11:33-37)

As we consider different responses to death, who is better to consider than the perfect human Himself? Jesus Christ is the perfect human not only in the fact that he is sinless, but also because He is the perfect model of life as God intended. John 14:6 says that He is "the life." In this gospel that often expresses the deity of Christ, our author is not ashamed to display His humanity as well. Verse 33 says, "(Jesus) was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled." Verse 35 says, "Jesus wept." Verse 38 says, "Jesus was deeply moved within."

There can be no doubt that the emotional sorrow that Jesus expressed was somehow due to the situation involving the death of Lazarus. But specifically what triggered His response of excessive sorrow has been a matter of debate throughout the church age. Was it His deep love for Lazarus? Was it resentment toward the results of sin? Was it a response to the sister's lack of faith since they second-guessed His sovereignty and doubted an immediate resurrection? Was it the grief He experienced over the agony of others? Was it a spiritual struggle as He embraced to do battle with the forces of darkness? Was it disappointment that the sisters grieved like those without hope? Was it agony as He contemplated his own upcoming death?

To determine our answer, let's examine this text carefully. First of all, the response of Christ was specifically generated. Look at verse 33, "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled." This verse teaches that the emotional response of Jesus was triggered when He observed Mary and the Jews weeping.

Second, the Greek word that the NASB and NIV translates, "deeply moved" is embrimaomai. In extrabiblical Greek is was used to refer to the "snorting of horses." The word occurs three other times (in addition to Jn. 11:28) in Scripture (Mt. 9:30; Mk. 1:43; 14:5) to speak of anger or a stern admonishment. Therefore our English translation "deeply moved" might be somewhat vague and misleading. D. A. Carson prefers to translate verse 33 by saying, "(Jesus) was outraged in spirit and troubled."

Now, if we go with this interpretation, the question we must obviously ask is what in this account angered and troubled Jesus? I believe what angered Jesus was the sin, sickness and death, which resulted from the fall that wrecks so much havoc and generates so much sorrow. Jesus understood sin for what it is and expressed a holy hatred toward it. But I also believe His anger was not abstract. As we saw in verse 33, it was the specific effects of sin on His loved ones that both angered and troubled His spirit. Verse 35 says, "Jesus wept." But can you remember another time that Jesus wept? Luke tells us, "When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it" (Lk. 19:41). Why? In Matthew's account we learn that Jesus said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling" (Mt. 23:37). Again, another example of how Jesus consistently expresses both sorrow and anger over sin and the effects it has on the people He loves. That's what makes heaven so desirable. Because in heaven there will be no sin and therefore no pain (and tears).

There is great application for us concerning this section of Scripture. Jesus acknowledged that the root of all pain is sin. He didn't psychologically explain away sin's reality, nor did he sugarcoat its destructive power. He understood the truth of sin, which deeply angered and troubled His spirit. May we have the same attitude toward the way sin takes its toll on us and those whom we love.

Additionally, Jesus was moved at sin's devastating effects on those He loved. Even though the cross awaited Him just weeks in the future, He was consumed and overwhelmed by the hurting of others. Their concerns emotionally became His concerns. He wept with those who wept.

May we always remember that we "have a high priest who (can) sympathize with our weaknesses" (Heb. 4:15). When my girls skin their knee, they want more than a Band-Aid. They want someone who puts their arm around them. They want someone who feels their pain. Jesus knows the sorrows and difficulties we face in a sin-tainted world because He personally experienced them. Even before His virgin birth it was prophesized, "He (would be) despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). He became like us. He was tested in the school of suffering. Therefore, He is able to come to our need with sympathy and assistance (Heb. 2:18). It was the 18^th century Scottish poet, Michael Bruce who said, "In every pang that rends the heart, the Man of Sorrows has a part." Again, may we have the same attitude in which we are not so consumed with our own needs that we are blinded to the needs of others.

3. THE RESPONSE OF MARTHA (11:38-40)

Let's move to the third point. What was the response of Martha over the death of her brother? Beginning in verse 38, "So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, 'Remove the stone.' Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'"

As I have mentioned the past two weeks, both Mary and Martha demonstrated faith in Jesus. However, their faith still had room for improvement. For neither of the sisters really understood His sovereignty nor did they expect Jesus to perform an immediate resurrection.

So when Jesus asked for the stone to be removed from Lazarus' tomb in verse 39, it was Martha who questioned the Lord and advised against such actions. I imagine her response along these lines: "Oh Jesus, I appreciate your concern but there is nothing even You can do now. After all, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. The body has begun to decompose. Not only will the stench be unbearable, but his body will be greatly disfigured. I would prefer to remember my brother as I last laid him in the tomb." Unfortunately, Martha's focus was on the dead Lazarus and not the living God. She had already concluded, in her finite understanding, that the situation was hopeless.

Jesus said to her in verse 40, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" You'll remember that Jesus told His disciples in verse 4, "(That Lazarus') 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 did not specifically record this saying to Martha, but once again we learn that the whole situation was not for the life of Lazarus, but ultimately for the glory of God.

Additionally, notice that Jesus did not say, "If you will believe, you will see a miracle." The miracle was not conditioned on her faith. The miracle would happen whether she believed or not. Rather Jesus said, "If you believe, you will see the glory of God." Many that day who gathered around Lazarus' tomb witnessed a miracle. However, only the few who believed witnessed the glory of God.

Do we have this kind of faith that can see the glory of God even in the midst of death? Is the glory of God, like it was in this account our ultimate concern as well? Does our response to death glorify God?

4. THE RESOLUTION OF JESUS (11:41-44)

The divine stage has been set for the manifestation of His glory. Now in verse 41 Jesus is prepared to act to validate the claim that He is the resurrection and the life, to demonstrate His ability to impart power over sin and victory over death. Also, since the purpose of Lazarus' death was to glorify God by bringing forth faith (verse 15), I want you to pay special attention to how much Jesus involved His audience.

After the stone was removed, first in verse 41, "Jesus raised His eyes, and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.'" Since the Father always hears the Son and Jesus does need to pray out loud to be heard, our Lord clarifies His intent in verse 42. "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me." Jesus wanted the people to see His unity with God the Father. He wanted the people to see Him more than just a wonder-worker, but rather One in whom the Father is involved. One in whom they are to trust and follow and worship. He wanted the miracle to excite true faith in the multitudes and not simply a fascination in mystical and miraculous powers.

Additionally, we must not think that this prayer of Christ was artificial in any way. He really did want to thank the Father for hearing Him. However, He constructed it in a way that might produce faith. I can remember at Nate and Kristen's wedding when they asked me to pray prior to the serving of dinner. My prayer was sincere, but I crafted it in a way that would be for the benefit of a largely unbelieving audience. Sure, I was thankful for the food, but I mainly wanted the people to believe in Jesus. So I shared the gospel for like the 6^th time that day in my prayer.

After saying these things, second in verse 43, "(Jesus) cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.'" Once again, the loud voice was not for the sake of Lazarus (the Scriptures teach us that Jesus raised two others without loud utterances), but rather for the many onlookers. Jesus wanted the people to know that the resurrection of Lazarus was not as a result of magic, voodoo or medical marvels. The resurrection of Lazarus resulted simply from a word. Was it too difficult for the same God who spoke the world into existence to speak life back into the body of a dead man? Through the power of His word, Jesus restored every system, every cell, back to its working functions. C.H. Spurgeon put it this way, "The thunder of Christ's voice was attended by the lightning of His divine power, and forthwith life flashed into Lazarus and he came forth." Others have said it's a good thing that Jesus specified for Lazarus to come forth or else the whole cemetery would have been emptied!

Since those in Christ immediately go to be in the presence of the Lord after death, I've always wondered how Lazarus felt to have to leave the glory of heaven that he tasted for four days and return to earth. The Scriptures are silent. Possibly his encounter was somewhat similar to Paul's mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12. The Apostle said he "was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak" (2 Cor. 12:4). Maybe Lazarus was commanded to be silent as well. Maybe the silence is simply because the Apostle John didn't want to anything to sidetrack his readers from the miracle.

Nevertheless, Alexander Whyte in "Bible Characters" envisioned the scene something like this: "And thus it was that scarcely had Lazarus sat down in his Father's house: he had not got his harp of gold well into his hand: he had not got the Hallelujah that they were preparing [for] the Ascension of their Lord well into his mouth, when the angel Gabriel came up to him: 'Hail! Lazarus: highly honoured among the glorified from among men. They Master calls up for you. He has some service for you still to do for Him on the earth.' And the sound of many waters fell silent for a season as they saw one of the most shining of their number rise up, and lay aside his glory, and hang his harp on the wall, and pass out of their sight, and descended to where their heavenly Prince still tarried with his work unfinished. And Lazarus's soul descended straightway into that grave, where for four days his former body had lain dead, and towards which our Lord was now on His way. And the first words Lazarus heard were these, and the voice that spoke was the voice of his former Friend - 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me... Lazarus, come out'" (Book 2, pg. 57)!

Finally, verse 44 says, "The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'" Even though the Jews did not embalm their dead like the Egyptians, they did wrap the body in linen cloths and cover the face with another called a soudarion. Once again, Christ involved the people in His work by calling them to release the newly resurrected man.

There could be no doubt that day that Jesus is the resurrection and life as He promised. Did the people glorify God by putting their faith in Christ? We'll cover that next week. But for now, let me ask you, have you put your faith in Jesus Christ? Have you trusted Christ to remove your two greatest enemies: Sin and death? Have you experienced the abundant life brought only by Christ? Are you assured of the great promise that Jesus will also resurrect your soul when you die and then your body when He returns to judge the world? This story is a parable (not in the official sense) that Jesus Christ gives life to His friends. Are you a friend of Jesus? And if you are, may this account be of great hope and encouragement to you!

This morning we examined three responses to death. How do you think Lazarus responded to death once he experienced the resurrection power of our Lord? I can only imagine him on his second deathbed. Do you think he feared death any longer? Do you think he was anxious regarding his death? Not anxious to die, but anxious to depart and return to the Paradise he experience for a short time. But this time the stay would be forever thanks to Jesus Christ who is the resurrection and the life!