This Week\’s Sunday School Lesson, \”Jesus, The Resurrection and The Life\”, John 11:17-27, 5.14.2023
JESUS, THE RESURRECTION, AND THE LIFE
John 11:17-27
A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
There was a strong intimate relationship between Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. We
are not told how the relationship developed. What we know is Jesus ate with them
and visited their home. We don’t find many occasions where Jesus was entertained
in the home of His followers. We don’t find many occasions where the family
claimed Jesus loved them. Jesus had a special relationship with this family.
A messenger from Mary and Martha had come to Jesus with the news that Lazarus was sick. Jesus delayed coming until the fourth day. He informed His disciple that He was
going to see Lazarus who He knew was dead. It was Thomas who took the lead
and said I will go and die with you knowing that Jews wanted to kill Jesus.
The name Thomas means twin in Aramaic. The Greek translation is Didymus.
We all at times have twin thoughts.
Unbelief and depression
doubt and hopelessness
doubt and devotion
What keeps us stable is knowledge of Jesus and His promises.
GOT TROUBLE, CALL JESUS
V:17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
The question is why did Jesus allow Lazarus to die? He could have immediately
showed up and healed Lazarus. He could have healed Lazarus from a distance
(John 4:43-34).
None of these solutions would have given the intended glory to the Father.
None of these solutions would have strengthened the faith of Mary and Martha.
None of these solutions would have removed the doubt of the power of Jesus
from the disciples.
None of theses solutions would have glorified the Father before the crowd of
witnesses
Jesus showed His love for the family by coming when He Did. His love for us
is a perfecting love, not a pampering love. The Love of Jesus allows suffering.
Love and suffering are compatible and are strengthening partners.
The question is why the four-day delay?
The delay teaches us to wait on the Lord
The delay teaches us to trust the way Jesus responds.
The delay teaches us that our disappointments are a lack of faith. (Psalms 50:15).
The delay teaches us to accept the good with the bad.
The delay teaches us that what we want for our loved ones may not be the best
for them.
The delay teaches us that suffering is for a time, but joy is forever.
The delay allows others to observe our faith in Jesus,
The delay teaches us that there is a greater opportunity to believe.
The delay teaches us that death is not the end but a new beginning.
The delay is a test of our faith.
MEET JESUS IN CONSTANT PRAYER
V:20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 \”Lord,\” Martha said to Jesus, \”if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.\”
Martha’s conversation with Jesus shows she believed in the power of Jesus to heal
the sick. She expected Jesus to come to her rescue. She was disappointed that Jesus
did not come in time to save Lazarus. Even in her disappointment, she believed
the Father would give Jesus what He asked for. Like us, Martha’s faith did not
extend beyond what she knew. She probably had witnessed many healing of Jesus,
but may not have seen Him restore life to a dead person. The Lord can do
exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or conceive.
Notice what we learn from Martha
She did not hesitate to call on Jesus first.
She reminded Jesus of His love for her family.
She call on Jesus to do what she was confident HE could do.
She did not let her disappointment change her faith.
She expressed her confidence in the power of Jesus.
Her trouble was a learning experience with Jesus.
TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO JESUS THROUGH MEDITATION
V:23 Jesus said to her, \”Your brother will rise again.\”
24 Martha answered, \”I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.\”
Jesus uses our disappointments to drive us into a deeper study of the Word.
Martha set aside her disappointment to learn more of the Word.
When we study God\’s Word we ought to ask questions to get a deeper understanding.
Martha believed in the resurrection of the last day. Jesus spoke of the
present day and the last day.
Martha called on Jesus as her savior. We must do the same.
By excepting Jesus as our personal Savior, all believers have been resurrected
from death into the newness of life.
Sometimes it takes a tragedy in our lives for us to see Jesus as He is,
The God of all our circumstances.
DEATH BEFORE LIFE IN JESUS
V:25 Jesus said to her, \”I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?\”
27 \”Yes, Lord,\” she told him, \”I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.\”
Jesus does not rule out death as part of our life’s experience. He includes physical death
to make us understand that this life is temporary. Our resurrected life is eternal.
Martha\’s final and most important inspiration was Jesus as the Son of God.
In front of Martha was the divine Word which she readily accepted.
The true resurrection for believers has already taken place. We are just waiting
until our time on earth is complete. Like Martha, we have more learning about
Jesus to complete for the work of the Lord.
Lazarus died, but His love for Jesus assured him a place in heaven. His physical
death was an exercise for the world to see the true mission of Jesus. The resurrection
of Lazarus was an exhibition of the power of Jesus for all to see.
In front of all believers and in all believers is the divine Word. Accept Him and
live joyfully. Trust Jesus and live in confidence. Live in His spirit and live without
fear. Walk with Jesus and live in His righteousness.
Rev. M. Mitchell
