John 11:1-44 Bible Teaching

Study of John Chapter 11

John 11.10
Milk June 15th 2014
Father’s Day
Welcome Streaming Agenda for the morning:

Prayer by Sermonetta by Music and silent reflection

When we come back we are going to begin our verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. study of John chapter 11.

Introduction to the Gospel of John

Alright. When we started in on the Gospel of John we made note of a couple of things. First, we said that his gospel was written well after the others and that it is believed that he filled in events and stories the synoptic Gospels didn’t include. We also noted that his intent seems to have been to prove the deity of Christ. And with this in mind we have a rather unique approach before us that John the Beloved took to present the King.

In chapter one Jesus as the Son of God, the Word made flesh is represented. In chapter two we are introduced to Jesus, the Son of Man at the wedding party. In chapter three we are blessed with insights into His discussion with Nicodemus, as the Divine Teacher. In four He is presented as the great Soul winner with His dialogue with the Woman at the Well. In five we we’re shown Him as the Great Physician, raising the lame man up to walk. In six He becomes the Bread of Life. In seven the Water of Life. In eight the defender of the weak. And in nine the Light of the World.

We just left off with Him calling Himself the Good Shepherd. Finally (and I say finally, because after chapter 11 Jesus is going to make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem in chapter 12) but the last full chapter story of His work among the children of men is here in chapter eleven with the raising of Lazarus to life and where He introduces Himself as the Resurrection and the Life. Lots to talk about in chapter 11 and it is almost all facilitated through the narrative of the raising of Lazarus.

Narrative of Lazarus' Story

Now, like the story of the Man born blind, the Story of Lazarus is long too – a total of about forty-four verses. We are going to launch into our study by reading through them all, knowing the Holy Spirit will work upon our hearts and minds as we contemplate the significance of each word.

John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Arrival at Bethany

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that

Jesus and the Resurrection of Lazarus

Even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Insights from John's Gospel

Now, before going back to verse one we might wonder why the other Gospel writers would not include such a radical story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. In John 12 we get an inkling for the reason as John writes the following about why masses of Jews were present at the Passover feast, saying:

9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that He (Jesus) was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

In other words in the next chapter we can see that Lazarus himself became somewhat of an attraction as He had been raised from the dead and people came to see him. But John tells us even more about Lazarus here in chapter 12, adding:

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Possible Reasons for Exclusion from Other Gospels

Why mention all of this? It helps explain why Matthew, Mark and Luke may have excluded the story from their accounts. See, when they wrote Lazarus could have still been alive and it would have put Him in greater danger to have His healing (because it was a healing not a resurrection Lazarus experienced) recorded but by the time John wrote his gospel it is thought that Lazarus had died and to tell the story would have not put Him in any greater danger. Can’t prove this but it is a reasonable explanation. Another viable explanation is that the synoptic writers wrote to the inhabitants of Judea who would have been very familiar with the story.

The Story of Lazarus

and so they did not feel the need to repeat it but John wrote to people outside of Judea who might not have been as familiar with the event. Bottom line, we don’t know why neither Matthew, Mark, nor Luke declined to include the story in their accounts, but I can say it was for good reason. Alright, let’s go back to verse one and read through till about verse seventeen.

John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. I love that first line – “Now, a certain man was sick.” Whenever I read that I think of myself, who too, “is a certain man” and who too, has certainly been sick in His life in mind, spirit, soul, and body. Now a certain man was sick. And his name was Lazarus (which is the Greek for the Hebrew name Elazor. Sorry, but I am personally inclined to this story as one of my grandson’s is named Lazer. And Lazarus had been physically ill. John tells us Lazarus was from Bethany, which was a village on the eastern declivity of the Mount of Olives and within walking distance of the temple mount. This was also the town of Mary, and Martha her sister, and it was also the place where Simon the leper lived and we know that Jesus spent a lot of time when He was in Judea there.

Context of the Event

Because this is happening near Passover (which occurs in our month of April we know that about four months have passed between it and the story we jest left off from in chapter 10 because that happened in ???? That’s right, winter and we know that it was around our December because the Festival of Lights was going on which was also known as ???? That’s right Channaka! Which we gave the history of a few weeks back. Now in verse two John gives us some additional insights on Mary, who he mentioned in verse one, saying 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) So in the typical writing style of a Jew we are now told that Lazarus is actually brother to Mary and Martha. And where do we read about Mary anointing the feet of Jesus? In the next chapter! Chapter 12. So again, the writing style of the Jews, as we have said before is more like a movie with flashbacks and flashforwards rather than the linear chronological narrative of the Greeks.

Now, when John tells us that this is the Mary who anointed Jesus feet with lotion (ointment whisper) and wiped them with her hair don’t get tempted to confuse this story with the one that is found in Luke 7. There we read of a similar story but there is enough dissimilarities in it to know they are two separate events. In the account involving Mary the feet wiping was done in Mary and Martha’s house located in Bethany. In the Luke account it occurred in the house of a Pharisee which from what I can tell was in the City of Nain. Secondly, the times and purposes for the feet “anointings” are different between the two events. In the Luke story the time was far from the crucifixion and in the account that includes Mary it was done in preparation for His death. Additionally, the woman in the Luke account seems to have broken the box of alabaster containing the lotion (whisper ointment) because she was a sinner overwhelmed with love for the Master and she bathed His feet with tears where the account involving Mary shed tears were not involved.

Mary and Martha

So, long story short, there are two accounts in the gospels of Jesus having His feet anointed and wiped by the hair of a woman – one was in Luke 7 and the hair belonged to only what is described as sinner and in the John account it was Mary. Anyway, Bethany – Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – brother and sisters, and Lazarus is sick. (Verse 3) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him (Jesus), saying, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” We know that there was a special relationship that existed between the Lord Jesus and these siblings.

In Luke 10:38-42 we read: 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at

Understanding Agape Love

Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

And then in chapter 12 here in John we read of them having the Lord over for dinner, which is where Mary anointed his feet with the costly lotion (ointment whisper). Finally, from verse three of this chapter we see that the sisters refer to Lazarus as the one or “He whom thou lovest is sick.” It’s a tremendous prayer, of sorts isn’t it?

The Message to Jesus

Jesus is away from them (traveling as it were) and their brother, whom Jesus loves, falls ill. They sent unto Jesus a message via messenger. Notice they merely explained the situation, trusting the Lord and His ways on how to handle it. And being Jesus, He certainly handled it in a way that could only be deemed tough. Ready?

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Now, we could read this plainly in the English and think Jesus was saying that Lazarus is not going to die. This is not the case. What He is saying is “this sickness will not end in the final departure of Lazarus from this world.” How do we know? By what He says after He says, “this sickness is not going to end in the ultimate demise of Lazarus,” because He adds: “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” “This sickness is not present so to take Lazarus from this earth now BUT for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified by it in the end.”

The Radical Paradox

Now pay careful attention to verses five and six – they are radically paradoxical and to me downright comical. Ready?

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (got that?) (do you believe it? I do.)

Now read verse 6

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

What a lesson in the mind and ways of God, right?

First John tells us plainly that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus. The Greek word for love here is not philao love, as in He loved them as His friends. The Greek word is not storgay, as in He loved them as His family. Neither is it eros, in that He loved them sexually.

It's agape. And guess what? Agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty., while unconditional, and always at work, (and never failing) true agape love does what is BEST for others spiritual growth – no matter how painful or difficult such love is administered.

I mean in our day and age – in the age of Man – if we read that when Jesus got word of Lazarus’ condition He dropped everything, ran all day and night to reach Him, and healed Him so He (nor His sisters) would suffer – we would say, “my my how He loved them.”

But to say He loved them and read that He then waited two full days to go to them in their time of need – that does NOT fit the modern definition of real love, does it?

Real Love's Ultimate Purpose

Well, what’s this agape love all about?

Agape love is a love that endlessly works for the spiritual betterment and growth of another (listen) even if it causes them discomfort or even pain. In my opinion that’s the best definition of real love because such love pertains to the eternal life of the individual, not just their temporal nor their immediate emotional needs.

I mean, take note friends:

Lazarus was sick and his sisters were certainly worried. So worried they sent a messenger to tell Jesus of his illness. John tells us that Jesus loved this family with the highest form of love. But in receiving the news, Jesus plops down (so to speak) and waits two full days before returning to assist and comfort them – two days where He allowed Mary and Martha to mourn, shed tears, experience deep woe and sorrow and misery.

Faith, Miracles, and God's Will

Loved them? Some people today would call this response utterly sadistic. But we have to wonder don’t we – did Jesus, among the many reasons He may have waited, wait in order to allow Mary and Martha’s faith to grow? Could it be that it took this very experience of their brother Lazarus laying in the grave for Mary and Martha to know if they really trusted in Jesus? Had faith in Him as the Messiah?

Did His delay teach them a deeper or more abiding reliance on Him? Was it while they were in the throws of despair that they wondered to themselves – hoped – that wherever Jesus returned He could raise their brother from the grave?

The Role of Faith in the Face of Despair

(I have to make some comments here relative to this story that I believe are important to consider today, as Christians). I don’t want to sound cynical toward the miracles of God – I’m not. I see them daily and all around us but as much in the small things as the fantastic. But I want to caution any who are within the sound of my voice about the idea that God will raise all from the dead if we only hope enough.

I am of the most sincere opinion that many people have been unnecessarily filled with false hope by some of the teachings that come out of the New Testament narrative. No matter what we want, no matter how much we are trusting that God will do our will when it comes to healing or saving people we love from the grave, His is sovereign and His will is always done. If a drown child recovers it is His will. If He doesn’t – His will too.

In the context of Jesus and His miracles, I sincerely believe it is a grave error to put it in people’s heads that they are in control of the outcome if they just believe enough and I would suggest that the greatest amount of faith evidenced in believers' hearts is not faith that can move mountains but faith that tells God: “I will accept whatever it is YOU do – thy will be done.”

I say this for a few reasons which are all based on a CONTEXTUAL readingReading Scripture with attention to its audience, setting, and purpose—essential to fulfilled understanding. of scripture.

Jesus and Miracles

The first thing to note is that while Jesus walked the earth and was involved in His ministry many, many, many people – children, teens, babes, and parents died – without Him healing them or raising them from the dead. This is NOT why He came – meaning, to save everyone from disease, blindness, and physical death. Those He healed and raised were healed and raised to prove He was the Messiah and the healing and raising were pictures of the spiritual healing and raising to new life He offers all men and women even to this day!

Now, some people will say:

“Well then why did Jesus say in Matthew 17:

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Who was He saying this (and other things like it) to? That’s right, His chosen twelve, who would go out and established the church prove that they were truly His special witness, and that their witness of His resurrection was true BY the miracles they did!

I say this because I have met far too many people – people who have lost parents and grandparents to disease, people who have had children die, people who have been confined to wheelchairs and the like due to disease and accidents that have been taught it is within their Christian power to be healed. It is only within the power of God – and His will is sovereign – not ours.

Jesus's Purpose in Miracles

I think it is very significant and revealing that when it came to raising the dead Jesus didn’t do that much of it (in terms of miracle working). From what I could tell there were three –

1. The widows son at Nain (Luke 7:11)
2. Jairus’ daughter (Matthew 9:18)
3. Lararus (here in John 11).

It’s not that He couldn’t raise all from the dead but that was NOT His primary purpose and this cannot be forgotten. Getting back to the point, we can’t help but note that as God in the flesh Jesus allowed Mary and Martha, whom He loved, to suffer. But LISTEN – we also know that all the while they were suffering the Lord knew the joy that awaited them.

Understanding Christian Suffering

When their brother would walk out of that tomb.

In my opinion, “Christian suffering” occurs most when we face seemingly insurmountable circumstances and choose—no matter the outcome—to continue to love, trust, and follow Christ Jesus. Sure, we suffer by “not belonging to the wild world around us” but there are enough of us today, and enough Churches around, where most believers can find a home where they are accepted among other believers, right? And sure, there are still places in the world where some Christians are put to death for their faith—that is certainly a form of suffering.

But I’ll tell you right now I rather die in a rush of flames than “to slow cook” over years of constant, relentless uncertainty caused by day-to-day trials—that’s some real suffering—“longsuffering” that calls for true faith, patience, and love for God . . . and man. But in all of it, in every circumstance surrounding every case of “Christian suffering” (no matter how it manifests itself) we have God on the other end, who loves us, has good thoughts for us, and an expected end . . . if we but wait.

And sometimes He takes His time . . . because . . . He loves us NOT because He doesn’t. It’s how we grow, how we learn, how we have our faith and love and devotion toward Him tried, tempered . . . tested. This is what the sisters were going through . . . at the hands of the Lord who loved them so . . . and as a biblical picture for us.

Encountering Pain

I know, I know, many people think me sick but I am a giant proponent of pain. I had a dear sister the other day tell me how angry she has been with me for the past six months. I sort of laughed and asked why? It seems I have uprooted some really precious beliefs of hers and it has caused her a great deal of mental even spiritual consternation. I couldn’t have been more pleased.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not too big on senseless pain—physical, emotional, or psychological pain for pain's sake. Like you, I too want to see suffering alleviated in people’s lives as soon as humanly possible and I’m not so sure God is the author of such. I think that is all Satan’s realm. But God is there to support us in such pain, to make way for reprieve and solace and comfort amidst such earthly difficulties.

Spiritual Struggles

Nobody on earth can convince me that God is maniacally enjoying the incomprehensible suffering we experience in this fallen world—His original plan was far from it. But I would strongly suggest that because we are in a fallen world that He triumphs in and through (I might even suggest that He is the author of) spiritual struggles and difficulties and discomfort.

See, this is really what Mary and Martha were facing at the death of Lazarus. The physical passing was certainly sad, and the fact that Jesus was NOT there (on purpose) to stop it made matters even worse (in the temporary). But in the end, and in their friendship and walk and familiarity with the Lord, the battle was entirely spiritual—and I think Jesus knew that they had a need to grow. And so among this (and other reasons) He waited.

He waited until all hope (according to Jewish tradition) was lost—three days in the grave meant “death.” He waited four. Maybe to let them give up hope that there was any possibility for their brother to rise again—even with Jesus the miracle worker as their dear personal friend. Maybe He waited for them to completely reconcile themselves over to the total will of God, for their prayers to include the lines, “Whatever the outcome, whatever . . . Yahweh . . . thy will be done.” Maybe He waited so they were beyond broken. Can’t really be sure.

But what we do KNOW is . . . (ready?) HE loved them . . . AND HE WAITED two full days to show up and help them.

Now, when it says that he abode “there” (for two days) we know from Chapter 10 that He was then at Bethabara, which was about thirty miles from Bethany—or what was considered about “a day's journey.” So we have Lazarus getting sick, and the messenger was sent. It would have taken him one day to find.

The Journey and the Illustration

Jesus (a days journey from Bethany to Bethebara).

Then Jesus waited two days after hearing the news, and then it would have taken Him a full day to travel back to Bethany, so we are talking about four days that Lazarus was potentially in the grave.

(verse 7)

7 Then after that (after the two days of waiting) Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go into Judaea again.”

Now remember, Jesus had escaped Judea (back in John 10) when they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. His disciples remembered this even though it was four months earlier, So (verse 8)

8 His disciples say unto him, “Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?”

Addressing the Disciples' Concerns

In reply to this Jesus speaks to them by appealing to an illustration (verse 9)

9 Jesus answered,

“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.” 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Let’s wrap our time up together explaining this.

In the verse prior Jesus had stated that He wanted to go to Judea. His disciples remembering the danger they faced the last time they were there said (in effect) “it wasn’t so long ago that they wanted to stone you and you want to go back?”

Now, in my opinion the Lord uses a literal illustration which describes the benefits of traveling in the light of day versus at night when there is no light to depict or describe the importance of them working while Jesus was still with them.

The Jews divided the day from sunrise to sunset into twelve equal parts which is why Jesus says, “Are there not twelve hours in the day?” OR, “Can we not travel in the light of day and enjoy the illumination of the sun to help us see our steps and to avoid the dangers that result from traveling in darkness?"

The Message Behind the Illustration

Spiritually speaking, it seems He was saying, “Yes, they are seeking to kill me in Judea – but there is still time – still daylight hours (until my death) where we can travel and do our work without stumbling. In other words, while the light of the world is still here you will be safe – you won’t stumble, just as a traveler walking in the day is able to see the path clearly.

“But,” he says in verse 10 and referring back to his physical illustration, “if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

In other words, if a traveler waits to travel (work) at night, he will trip and stumble because he has not light in his eyes, no light in him to illuminate the path, and the labor or work is much more difficult and dangerous.

The intention of His teaching seems to be that there was an allotted or appointed time for him to live and do his Father's will which were represented by the twelve hours of the day. And though his life was nearly spent the sun had not yet set – there was still time to travel or work as there were still hours of daylight left. Certainly, the “night of dark death was coming, and no travel or work could be done then. But until that time it would be safe to travel to Judea. God would defend him and they had nothing to fear.

This seems to be the response He gave to them fretting over going back to Judea where they had previously plotted to take His life by stoning.

And we’ll pick our story of Lazarus up next week.

Questions/Comments? Prayer