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Sunday Sermon Outline STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL
OF JOHN-PART 61
Chapter
11, verses 38-44-this brings us to the actual restoration of life to
the now dead 4 days and buried Lazarus.
The deep sympathy of Jesus’ toward this family is noted again with the
use of “groaning”. John describes the tomb as a
cave with a stone against it. Caves
were used when possible for a vault-like cover with the opening blocked by
stones to keep out animals. With authority, Jesus commands “Take away the
stone”—this effort will allow the resuscitated Lazarus to escape the
cave. It is a necessary step to
what will follow. At this juncture,
in vs. 39, Martha expresses the reality of how decay will have produced a stench
from Lazarus’ remains. We might
note such information as this provides greater reality to the assertion that
Lazarus has died. Jesus then responds with a challenging
question-“Did I not say….if you
believe….glory of God?”
It appears as though Jesus uses the
interrogative form to demonstrate that whatever
condition Lazarus’ body may be in that God is about to be glorified. Human limitation or natural decay will
NOT thwart divine purposes. With
the stone removed, vs.41-42 reveals Jesus’ communication with the Father in the
form of a prayer. His prayer
revolves around His appreciation of the Father’s answering His (unspoken)
request on behalf of Lazarus and to assist in producing faith in those observing
this event. It is worth noting that Jesus’
primary interest (seen in the purpose clause in vs.42) was that these
observers might believe He was sent by the Father. While the restoration of life to Lazarus
served that purpose, nevertheless, His
focus was on other’s believing. In this, we observe that signs
are never an end in themselves, but are rather a means to
an end. Vs.43 describes Jesus saying ,”Lazarus, come
forth!” This command
reflects the earlier truth of Observe: 1) The simplicity with which this
miracle (sign) is accomplished 2) That much more time and
space is devoted to the prelude and postlude of the
miracle than to the miracle itself.
3) Jesus has restored physical life
to Lazarus as well as his soul to his body and reversed
any and all decay that his body would have experienced during the 4
days
(vs.39). 4) This is a resuscitation
or restoration of life, rather than a true resurrection as
detailed
in I Cor.15 or I Thess. 4. Later, we are given to understand,
Lazarus will
physically die (again) and awaits the true resurrection. 5) This miracle (sign) served to
illustrate the power of Jesus as God in the flesh to impart
life and restore human animation. 6) What began with impersonal
“water-wine” ended with a deeply personal and compassionate restoring of life
to one deeply loved. Page
2 Chapter
11, verses 45-48- in the wake of this sign, a number
of things occur that John wishes us to understand. Positively, vs.45 records the
response of belief that was experienced by some,
while vs.46 tells us of the reporting of the event to the
Pharisees. The discussion that follows from
vs.47 thru vs.53 was no doubt secret.
How John came to know this may be explained in one or more of the
following: a)
John, the apostle was directly given illumination as to what was said in
this dark
meeting by the Holy Spirit without any other human
agency b) Someone present in the council (vs.47)
is later converted and shares this information with John c) Nicodemus may have told John of this
conversation as it appears he was a council
member (see d)
In high
priest. John may have heard this
directly from the high priest himself. Vs. 47 expresses their concerns and
anxieties –“What shall we do?”-
use of imperfect tense to express ‘began to
say’. This is followed in vs.48
with an explanation of why they are concerned- “….everyone will believe
on Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our
nation”. Apparently,
they fear the enormity of Jesus’ following will jeopardize the state of peace
this leadership has with the Romans.
If the peace is jeopardized, so will be their powerful leadership
position. |