Study in John’s Gospel

Study in John’s Gospel Presentation 40

Lives Transformed Chap 11v7-16 Presentation 40

Introduction People had been saying, "If you are the Christ, prove it. Do a miracle great enough to convince us that you are who you claim to be." But there already was and is sufficient evidence. If a man does not believe, it is because he will not believe and not because the evidence is inadequate. In spite of the proof he had already provided Jesus now presents the most impressive sign miracle in the Gospel - the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. This is the last sign miracle given by Jesus - surely this could convince his enemies that he is indeed God? Presentation 40

Introduction Unfortunately not, for the narrative ends with an even greater determination by Christ's enemies to have him killed. Was this miracle performed largely out of a compassion for Christ's friends? If so, why did Jesus delay his return to Bethany for two days, as the record indicates v6? And why did he perform the miracle publicly for all to see? As we delve into the story we find that the real motive was that "the glory of God" might be revealed and that "the Son of God might be glorified by it" v4. This miracle provides the springboard for the next in the series of “I am” statements. It reveals Jesus as "the resurrection and the life." Presentation 40

Martha: From Anxiety to Faith That said, the story does involve people - those who see Christ's glory - and it involves them in a very intimate way. Therefore, we need to get to know them, before we examine the details of the raising of Lazarus. They are introduced in v1. Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This is the first time in John's Gospel that all three persons are mentioned. Many people would see their own lives mirrored in the lives of this family and in their life experience of sorrow and joy. Presentation 40

Martha: From Anxiety to Faith Martha was perhaps the most prominent of the three and the effect of the miracle on her was most pronounced. Some see the resurrection of her brother as a turning point in her life. Luke tells us that Jesus, on an earlier occasion, went to their house for dinner 10v38-42. Mary sat at Jesus' feet to learn from him while Martha was fussing over the meal. When Martha scolded her sister for not helping, Jesus said, "Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Presentation 40

Martha: From Anxiety to Faith Martha was all worked up about doing things just right and she wanted Mary to leave Jesus alone in the living room until all the pots in the kitchen had been washed…. With this story in mind we now turn to another touched on by John in chap 11 but told by him in chap 12. The setting is the home of Simon, a leper healed by Jesus. Again the occasion is a dinner party. John writes, “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him”. John 12:1-2. Presentation 40

Martha: From Anxiety to Faith Notice two things. First of all, it was a large party at least 17 people and secondly, Martha is serving but this time there is no anxiety. What made the difference? Between these two suppers lies the resurrection of her brother, a momentous event that had taught her to focus upon her Lord. When she first complained to Jesus about her sister her language is self-centred, “me…me… me…” She had her mind on herself and as a result felt unappreciated, neglected, and abused. Later, when she lost those feelings, she did what she did buoyantly and gladly. Presentation 40

Martha: From Anxiety to Faith Can we apply that to ourselves? The question is not whether I should serve or not but whom am I serving and how? Are you serving yourself? Or are you serving the Lord Jesus? Is your mind fixed on him? If we feel neglected and unappreciated then our minds are on ourselves and we need to meet with the one who causes us to forget ourselves. If you are truly serving him and others are not helping, and to your way of thinking not pulling their weight, then even that will not mar the pleasure that you derive from serving Christ. Presentation 40

Lazarus: The Silent Witness Have you noticed that none of the gospels mention Lazarus’ speaking? Martha talks, Mary talks, but Lazarus says nothing! Yet Lazarus is viewed as a great and effective witness to Jesus. “So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him” Jn. 12.10. How was Lazarus such an effective witness? In the first instance because Jesus had raised him from the dead. Everyone knew that Lazarus had died but now that he had been raised from the dead anyone who wished could come and see him. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, came to Bethany and left marvelling. Presentation 40

Lazarus: The Silent Witness Moreover, Lazarus was a witness to Christ because he was prepared to be identified with him. In the story of the dinner given in Simon’s house, we are told that Lazarus "was one of them that sat at the table with him." In other words, it was where he was as well as what had happened to him that formed part of his testimony. By his presence at the table he indicated that he wanted to be identified with the One who had made such an impact upon his life. Presentation 40

Lazarus: The Silent Witness Apply this! Neither you nor I have been raised from a physical death by Jesus. But if we understand the miracles in this Gospel - and we should by now - we can see that the raising of Lazarus illustrates a spiritual resurrection. It is a resurrection no less real, in which we have participated if we are Christians! Christians are people who have been made alive spiritually - Jesus has performed a resurrection within them. If this is true of you then ask, does your life give evidence of it? Do you identify yourself openly with the one who has performed a miracle of grace within you, just as Lazarus did? Presentation 40

Lazarus: The Silent Witness Every Christian should be able to give a verbal witness to what Jesus has done. However, not everyone finds verbal communication to be easy. You may be like that. Nevertheless, we should be especially careful that our lives demonstrate the reality of that resurrectionthat Jesus has performed in us. Then others might turn to him and believe in him because of what they see in us. It is possible to say little and yet still make a deep and lasting impact because others see that Jesus has touched our lives. Presentation 40

Mary: A Life Poured Out Finally, there is Mary whom the Gospels nearly always present as being at Jesus' feet. Only here in Jn. 11 do we find her expressing belief. Lazarus had died. The same words are found on both Martha and Mary’s lips, when Jesus eventually arrived, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" v32. On Martha’s lips they were words of complaint but Mary made it clear that she believed that even at that late hour Jesus could perform a miracle. Then in Chap 12 we find Mary anointing Jesus’ head and feet, and then wiping his feet with her hair 12v3. Presentation 40

Mary: A Life Poured Out Why? She did it in view of his coming death cf. John 12v7. And this suggests that of all those who were with Jesus during his final weeks only Mary seems to have understood that he was going to die for his people’s sin. How did Mary know this when the others failed to understand? Surely because she had spent as much time as she could learning at the feet of Jesus. Her use of the precious ointment further suggests that because Mary understood what Jesus was about to do for her she loved him and was prepared to give him her all. Presentation 40

Mary: A Life Poured Out Have you given that which is precious to the Lord Jesus Christ? Or, put another way have you given yourself to him? If not - if you are holding something back - is it possible that you have never fully understood that he actually gave up his life for you? Or, is it possible that you do not really love him more than everything else? Many think, “If I give my life to Christ it will be wasted”. But it won’t. It will be invested. And Christ, the most reliable banker who ever lived, pays great dividends. Your life will be spiritually enriched and transformed in much the same way as a beautiful butterfly can be seen to emerge from a fairly drab looking chrysalis. Presentation 40

Conclusion Three different family members were affected by their close contact with Jesus Christ. Have you been likewise affected? First, there is Martha who served. This was her special function, and she did it well. But initially she served for what it would do for Martha and only later did she learn to do it for Christ. When you work for Jesus, do you do so with your eyes on him? Secondly, there is Lazarus. Are you like him? Can others see that you are with Jesus and that he has changed you? Are you among his resurrected ones? Presentation 40

Conclusion Finally, there is Mary. She poured out the perfume of her life and so became a blessing. Have you like her broken your box? Only when you break your box and pour out your life upon him will your life cease to be narrow and ingrown. Do you still hold on to that which is precious saying, 'But this is mine!’? Jesus said that what Mary had done would be remembered throughout the whole world as "a memorial of her" Mark 14:9. There are many kinds of memorials-monuments, buildings, books, tombstones. But the greatest is to be remembered as one who gave everything to the Lord Jesus. Presentation 40

Study in John’s Gospel