Never Die?

Let’s look at a couple of ways to examine a Bible passage: solving some dilemmas and finding the Good News. Let’s examine the death of Lazarus, and Jesus’ intervention, the One who dares to call Himself “the resurrection and the life” in John 11:1-45.

1. What are some Dilemmas in the Passage?

John 11:17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

Sometimes we pray, and God delays. Why? Perhaps the healing of Lazarus will provide a clue. When Jesus heard of His friend’s sickness, he indicated that it would all be used for God’s glory. While others panicked and were concerned, Jesus was calm in His faith. Do we stay calm?

God’s purpose was “so that you may believe.” Lazarus’ sisters said that if Jesus had only been there sooner… By this time, Lazarus had been dead four days. Again Jesus emphasized the necessity to believe. Even His prayer, which was a public prayer, was said so that hearers may believe.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Do real men weep? Theologians speak of Jesus as the most complete human being to have ever lived since Adam. Adam sinned. So have we. Jesus never did. He was like Adam in every regard except one — he never sinned. He had human nature in its pure, unblemished form.

He was the only man who ever lived to have untainted masculinity, as God intended a man to be. Jesus was deeply moved. In manliness, He showed feelings towards people who had little faith. Stoic detachedness is not manhood. One thing is sure: a real man was moved to tears.

John 11:39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Why did Jesus delay coming? Why did disciples try to dissuade Jesus? Did Martha and Mary blame Jesus for deliberately delaying? Why did Martha doubt? Are our hopes and dreams dead? That’s the perfect time for Jesus to come. God may delay answering prayer but he’s always right on time.

John 11:41-42 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Jesus taught us to pray in private (Matthew 6:6). Why did others pray publicly in God's house (Matthew 21:13), in small groups (Acts 1:14), by a river (Acts 16:13), on the seashore (Acts 21:5) and everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8)? Did they disobey Jesus?

The context of Jesus' instructions in the Sermon on the Mount was our motive in prayer. If our motive may be to show off spiritually or promote ourselves as super-spiritual, then it's better to pray in private. This time Jesus prayed in public to help others, that they may believe.

2. What is the Good News in the Passage?

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”

Jesus’ friend, Lazarus from Bethany, died. His sisters were Mary and Martha. The resurrection of Lazarus is a vision for the future and for today. When speaking to Martha, Jesus did not say that He would only be the resurrection on that final day, although He will be that too.

Jesus spoke in the present tense, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” When we believe in Jesus, we enter from death to life. Don’t live in fear of death. We no longer need to fear death, because when we believe in Him who is life, we have life too.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” It was a claim to divinity. After all Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” He has the power over resurrection and life. Notice that Jesus personalized resurrection in Himself. Jesus demonstrated His authority over life and death by raising Lazarus.

Then He said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” Lazarus’ resurrection was temporary. Jesus will resurrect all believers permanently after the death of the body. The body dies, but the spirit lives on.

John 11:44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

From the day we are born we begin to die. We are already dressed in grave clothes. Life’s greatest enemy is death. Jesus has the power over life and death. As "God in the flesh", Jesus resurrected people temporarily from death, as a foretaste of the resurrection to eternal life.

A skeptical world just can’t hear that whoever lives by believing in Jesus will never die. That’s what He said as He boldly claimed, I am the resurrection and the life. So let’s take off the grave clothes of doubt and fear. Believe in Jesus Christ and live forever.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Readings

Ezekiel 37:1-14

A valley of dry bones is a depressing place for those without faith, yet for those who believe in a resurrection, it is a place to ponder hope.

Psalm 130

We are to love our neighbor, but our hope is not in human beings. Our hope is in the Lord.

Romans 8:6-11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

John 11:1-25 in Rhyme

Lazarus was sick and he died
His sisters to Jesus applied
Jesus said, It’s for God’s glory
So let’s go back to Judea

Lazarus was buried four days
Probably at the stinking phase
Jesus said that he’d rise again
I’m the life and resurrection

Believe in me and never die
Jesus wept, as he heard their cry
“Take away the stone,” about
He shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”

“Take off the grave clothes, let him go.”
The number who believed did grow

Who Will Never Die?

Intro

What kind of life would we lead if we were guaranteed not to die? How would we live if we knew already that we were immortal?

Goal

Let’s realize that immortality is a reality in Christ.

Plan

Let’s examine John 11:1-45, the resurrection of Lazarus and the One who dares to call himself “the resurrection and the life.”

Dilemmas in the Passage:

John 11:17 Why God Delays

Sometimes we pray and God delays. Why? Perhaps the healing of Lazarus will provide a clue. When Jesus heard of his friend’s sickness, he indicated that the illness would be used for God’s glory. While others panicked and were concerned, Jesus was calm in his faith. Then he went on to say that God’s purpose was “so that you may believe.” Lazarus’ sisters both responded quite emotionally that if Jesus had been there sooner he would not have died. By this time, he had been dead four days. Again Jesus emphasized the necessity to believe. Even his prayer, which was a public prayer, was said so that hearers may believe.

John 11:35 A Real Man Weeps

Jesus wept. Why? Theologians speak of Jesus having been the most complete human being to have ever lived since Adam. Adam sinned. So have we. Jesus did not. He was like Adam in every regard except one — he never sinned. He had human nature in its pure, unblemished form. He was the only man who ever lived to have pure, untainted manliness, as God intended it to be. We see that Jesus was deeply moved. It is not manliness to show no feelings. Was it anger or heartfelt compassion upon people with so little faith? It’s hard to tell. One thing is sure: a real man was moved to tears.

John 11:39 Four Days Late

When Lazarus was reported dying why did Jesus delay (verses 5-6)? Why did disciples try to dissuade Jesus (verse 8)? Why did Thomas disparage Jesus’ plans (verse 16)? Why did Martha (verse 21) and Mary (verse 32) blame Jesus that if he had been there their brother would not have died? Why did Martha doubt that anyone could do anything after her brother had been dead four days (verse 39)? Is your marriage dead? Is your business dead? Are you too old to do God’s work? Are your hopes and dreams dead? That’s the perfect time for Jesus to come. God may delay answering prayer but he’s always right on time.

John 11:41-42 Public Prayers

Jesus taught us to pray in private (Matthew 6:6). Why did others pray publicly in God's house (Matthew 21:13), in small groups (Acts 1:14), by a river (Acts 16:13), on the seashore (Acts 21:5) and everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8)? The context of Jesus’ instructions regarding private prayer, with other examples, shows that he wanted to highlight what our motive ought to be in prayer. If we are uncertain that our motive may be to show off spiritually or promote ourselves as super-spiritual, then it would be better to pray in private. In John 11 Jesus prayed in public to help others, that they may believe.

Good News in the Passage:

John 11:25 I AM

A close friend of our Savior, Lazarus from Bethany, died. His sisters were Mary and Martha. The resurrection of Lazarus is a vision for the future and for today. When speaking to Martha, Jesus did not say that he would be the resurrection on that final day, although he certainly will be that too. He spoke in the present tense, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” Could it be that when we believe in Jesus, we already enter from death to life? We live in fear of death. God helps. We no longer need to fear death, because when we believe in him who is life, we have life too.

John 11:25 The Resurrection and the Life

When Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life”, it was a claim to divinity. He has the power over resurrection and life. Notice that Jesus said “I am” and not “I will be.” He personalized resurrection in himself. Jesus demonstrated his authority over life and death by raising Lazarus. Then he said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” The resurrection of Lazarus was a temporary example of what Jesus will do for all believers after death of the body. The body dies, but the spirit lives on, received into heavenly places.

John 11:44 Take off the Grave Clothes

From the day we are born we begin to die. Our bodies are winding down. We are already dressed in grave clothes. Life’s greatest enemy is death. Jesus has the power over life and death. As "God in the flesh", Jesus resurrected people temporarily from death, which was a foretaste of the resurrection to eternal life. In a skeptical world it is quite a challenge to hear that whoever lives by believing in Jesus will never die. That’s what he said as he boldly claimed, I am the resurrection and the life. So let’s take off the grave clothes of doubt and fear. Believe in Jesus Christ and live forever.

Outro

What did Jesus say to Martha? “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this...?”

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Good News: Take off the Grave Clothes

Intro

What kind of life would we lead if we were guaranteed not to die? How would we live if we knew already that we were immortal like a kind of Superman or Superwoman?

Goal

I want us to realize that immortality is not just the stuff of Hollywood fiction but a reality in Christ.

Plan

We will examine the resurrection of Lazarus as an act of the One who dares to call himself “the resurrection and the life” as a taste of our own resurrection to eternal life.

Dilemmas in the Passage:

Why God Delays

Sometimes we pray and God delays. Why? Perhaps a look at the healing of Lazarus in John 11:1-45 will provide some clues. Though not one of the twelve disciples, Lazarus was clearly one of Jesus’ closest friends. When Jesus heard of his friend’s sickness, he indicated God’s purpose by saying that the illness would be used for God’s glory and God's Son’s glory. While others panicked and were concerned, Jesus was calm in his faith. Then he went on to say that God’s purpose was “so that you may believe.” Lazarus’ sisters both responded quite emotionally that if Jesus had been there sooner he would not have died. By this time, he had been dead four days. Again Jesus emphasized the necessity to believe. Even his prayer, which was a public prayer, was said so that hearers may believe.

A Real Man Weeps

Jesus wept. Why? What is it that made the manliest of men weep? Theologians speak of Jesus having been the most complete human being to have ever lived since Adam. Adam sinned. So too have we. Yet Jesus did not. He was like Adam in every regard except one — he never sinned. He had human nature in its pure, unblemished form. He was the only man who ever lived to have pure, untainted manliness. He was manhood personified as God intended it to be. If we look in John 11:1-45 we see that Jesus was deeply moved. Men who have no feelings are not real men. Was that emotion anger as some translations suggest or heartfelt compassion upon people with so little faith? It’s hard to tell. One thing for sure: a real man was moved to tears.

A Great Miracle

Some people seem almost obsessed with miracles. They chatter incessantly about people being healed and promises of wealth. Among those addicted to the fad, the greatest miracle of all is spoken about in terms of someone resurrected from the dead. Such a miracle is recorded in John 11:1-45. However, even that miraculous resurrection was only temporary. It was not the greatest miracle of all that Jesus can perform. When we are overly focused upon physical miracles, the ultimate resurrection seems to take a back seat. That event will be no temporary resuscitation to life, but a resurrection to permanent life forever more. Charlatans and false prophets easily take advantage of the hysteria surrounding those who desire miracles now. When we focus our minds on our permanent home, it is much harder for such deception to take hold of us.

What to Expect before a Miracle

Before Lazarus’ resurrection (John 11:1-45) several things happened, perhaps serving as clues as to what we might expect before God intervenes. Delay: God may not always intervene immediately. Jesus stayed several more days after hearing of Lazarus’ death. Opposition: When Jesus finally decided to go, the disciples tried to dissuade him. Negativity: Thomas tried to disparage Jesus’ plans by suggesting they may as well all go and die. Blame: Martha and later Mary told Jesus that if he had been there her brother would not have died. Doubt: Martha also doubted that anyone could do anything after her brother had been dead four days. God may choose to bless us with a temporary miracle, and our faith may be tried by delay, opposition, negativity, blame and doubt. But that miracle is insignificant compared to the permanent resurrection of salvation.

Public Prayers

Jesus taught to pray in private (Matthew 6:6)? Why then do others pray in God's house (Matthew 21:13), with others in a small group (Acts 1:14), by a river (Acts 16:13), on the seashore (Acts 21:5) and everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8)? The context of Jesus’ instructions regarding private prayer and these other examples show that he did not teach us about one exclusive place for prayer, but rather to highlight what our motive ought to be in prayer. If we are uncertain that our motive may be to show off spiritually or promote ourselves as super-spiritual, then it would be better to pray in private. In fact Jesus himself prayed in public but from a different attitude of heart. His motive was for the benefit of others, that they may believe (John 11:1-45).

The Good News in the Passage:

AM the Resurrection

A close friend of our Savior was named God-helps (Lazarus) who came from a town called Affliction (Bethany). He died. He had two sisters, Obstinacy (Mary) and Mistress (Martha). They too were close friends of Jesus. The healing of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) includes vision for the here and now, not just the future. When speaking to Martha, he did not say that he would be the resurrection on that final day, although he certainly will be that too. He spoke in the present tense, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” Could it be that when we believe in Jesus, we already enter from death to life? We live in Affliction of death. God helps. We no longer need to fear death, because when we believe in him who is life, we have life too.

I am the Resurrection and the life

What a great claim to divinity (John 11:1-45) that Jesus has the power over resurrection and life! Notice that he said “am” and not “will be.” He personalizes resurrection in himself. That could have been a clue about what was to take place. Jesus demonstrated his authority over life and death by raising Lazarus. The one who believes in Jesus, even though dying like all human beings, will live. He will never die. The body may die, but the spirit lives on received into heavenly places. The resurrection of Lazarus is a mere temporary sample of what Jesus will do for all believers after death of the body. We may seem dead at times. Our hopes and dreams may seem to be dashed. Jesus promises life to all who put their trust, not in this world, but in him.

Take off the Grave Clothes

From the day we are born we begin to die. Our body’s cells are like a wound up clock winding down. It’s as if our bodies are already dressed in grave clothes. As marvellous as science is, it has not yet mastered life’s greatest enemy, death. Yet there is someone who has the power over life and death and has already proven it (John 11:1-45). As "God in the flesh", Jesus resurrected people temporarily from death, which was a foretaste of the resurrection to eternal life. In a skeptical world it is quite a challenge to hear that whoever lives by believing in Jesus will never die. That’s what he said as he boldly claimed, I am the resurrection and the life. So let’s take off the grave clothes. If we believe in Jesus Christ we are alive forever.

Outro

Our bodies may be dying every day, but our spirits will live on in Christ. Let us take off the grave clothes and live our lives in Jesus, the life of those who will live forever.