The Raising of Lazarus
John 11:1-44
September 8, 2024
BIBLE READING
John 11:1-44
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever needed something, waited for it, and then felt time was running out?
I had one of these times.
My wife and I were planting a church in Wisconsin. We were totally dependent on God’s support. I had tried to get work, but had only had a few short assignments. Somehow we managed. We were even able to buy a house.
But the mortgage was coming due.
We did not have the money to do this. I was forced to trust God to provide. The time when we needed to pay, got closer and closer. We kept praying. Now it was just 3 days before the mortgage was due.
Have you had a time like this, when you desperately needed help, prayed for it, expected an answer, but it didnt seem to be coming? It seems the longer we wait, the harder it can be to keep hope.
In John 11, we read about Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, who became very sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus, hoping He would come quickly to heal their brother. Instead of rushing, Jesus waited. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. But what seemed like a delay was actually a setup for a powerful miracle.
Today, we’ll explore how the story of Lazarus teaches us to trust God even when we face trials, delays, and disappointments. We’ll see that God’s timing is always perfect, and even in our darkest moments, He is at work. He is faithful to his promises.
What does this passage teach us about how we deal with trials?
It shows us that even when we feel like God is delaying or that all hope is lost, He is still in control. Our trials can be opportunities for God to display His power and bring new life.
TRUST GOD’S TIMING
Have you been stuck in traffic, trying to make it to an important appointment? Every minute that passes makes you more anxious, wondering if you’ll miss it altogether. But sometimes, delays can keep us safe from things we don’t even see ahead.
In the story of Lazarus, Mary and Martha must have felt anxious and heartbroken when Jesus didn’t show up right away. They trusted Him to heal their brother, but instead, Jesus delayed.
What they didn’t realize was that this delay had a purpose. Jesus was about to do something far greater than healing a sickness - He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:4
"When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'"
We don't know why God did not intervene immediately. God does things in his own time, knowing all things. Sometimes he wants us to learn a lesson, sometimes he is teaching someone else, sometimes he is giving someone time to repent so they can pray for us. Sometimes God wants to answer our prayers in an unexpected manner, requiring a delayed response. We don't know the reasons, our position is to continue trusting our Father, that he knows best.
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
God thinks differently than we do. Sometimes we create God in our image, we see him as being like us, and living up to our expectations. While he is the creator of the universe! I can't even build a house, or repair my car. God is so much wiser, all-knowing and all-powerful.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."
Things happen in life. We live in a fallen world. No matter where this trial comes from, God is continually with us as we walk through the fire. Remember Daniel's friends (Daniel 3:24-25).
GOD HAS POWER OVER DEATH
Think about a seed that is planted in the ground. It looks like it’s buried, lifeless, but given time, that seed will grow into a beautiful plant.
What seems like death is actually the start of new life. When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’s tomb, it seemed like the end. Lazarus had been dead for four days.
But Jesus wasn’t limited by the situation. Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, proving that not even death could stop Him. This shows that no matter how hopeless our situation may seem, God has the power to bring life where there is darkness and death.
John 11:25-26
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"
This verse speaks of eternal life beyond the moment of dying. Our ultimate eternal life with Jesus will cause the pain of this life to pale into insignificance. There are no tears in heaven.
But there is a deeper meaning for us as well. God is creating life in the darkness of our situation. God looks further than the present circumstances. This situation may seem tough, impossible, and we see no way out. But God has a perfect viewpoint. From his perspective he can see the future, how this trial is going to strengthen us, and create life in our darkness. Think about Job. He lost everything, but God prospered him amazingly after Job had learned what he needed from the trial.
John 5:24
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
TRIALS DISPLAY GOD’S GREATNESS
Imagine a dark room. There is no light. When someone lights a candle, the darkness disappears, and the light shines brightly. The darker the room, the more noticeable the light becomes.
Trials are like darkness, and the light of a candle represents God’s power that shines through, and removes the darkness.
Jesus knew that Lazarus’s death would provide an opportunity for God’s greatness to be revealed. The crowd that gathered to mourn witnessed a powerful miracle, and many believed in Jesus as a result.
In the same way, our trials can be opportunities for God to display His power in our lives. What seems impossible to us is always possible with God.
John 11:40
"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?'"
2 Corinthians 12:9
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'"
Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
God's purpose will be accomplished. We can trust that he will do right by us. He is faithful. And he will cause our situation to ultimately be for our good. Even if we can't see that yet.
SUMMARY
So there are three big lessons in the story of Lazarus.
First, trust God’s timing, even when it feels like He’s delaying.
Second, believe in God’s power over death and hopeless situations.
And third, remember that trials can be opportunities for God’s greatness to be revealed in your life.
CONCLUSION
Remember the story I told, about waiting on God to supply funds for the mortgage payment?
The payment had to be made on Monday. Two days before, on Saturday morning, I went to the mailbox.
There was an envelope there, sent by a friend in Los Angeles. He had sent a check, for four times the amount we needed to pay the mortgage. He had actually mailed the check even before we realized we had a problem.
God was and still is, faithful.
You have troubles, trials and needs. Give it all to God to take care of. God will take care of it.
1 Peter 5:6-7
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
PRAYER
“Dear Lord, thank you for your loving care for us, continually. You knew us even before we were born. The needs of this day are no surprise to you. Thank you for Your perfect timing, even when we don’t understand it. Help us to trust You in the middle of our trials, knowing that You are always at work for our good. Give us faith to believe in Your power over every situation, and let our lives be a testimony of Your greatness. You have promised if we seek you and your kingdom first, you would provide for our needs. Thank you in advance.
In Jesus name. Amen”
