John 11
Grace mercy and peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
At this point in John's Gospel we have read about seven signs in Jesus' ministry. He changed water into wine, He healed the official's son, He healed at the pool of Bethesda, He fed thousands on a remote mountainside, He walked on water, He gave sight to a blind man, and now He raised a man from the dead. John shows this is the supreme sign. A sign that set the stage for Jesus' own death.
You may ask what makes this sign any different than the others.
Well Lazarus was dead there is no mistaking that fact. On hearing of Lazarus' sickness Jesus waited two days to begin His journey to Bethany. Jesus and the disciples had been across the Jordan River a day's journey from Bethany. Jesus already knew that Lazarus had died, but delayed so that it would be four days until their arrival in Bethany.
Four days is a significant period of time, many Jews believed that the soul remained near the body for three days after death in the hopes of returning to the body. By this time all hope family and friends had of Lazarus returning would be lost.
Jesus delaying His travel to Bethany may seem cruel to us and to those comforting Martha and Mary. His delay shows us two things His absolute oneness with and obedience to the Father. All things happen according to His plan not human expectations.
The mourning period in Jewish culture lasted 30days. Three days of very heavy mourning, four days of heavy mourning, then lighter mourning for the remainder of the 30 days. It was usual for friends to visit the family to comfort them during this period of mourning. It appears from our reading a great many came to comfort the sisters. Jesus arrived during the time of heavy mourning. Martha meets Jesus on the road and then Mary goes to meet Jesus by the tomb. The Greek word for weeping as described to Mary means a loud expression of grief. The sisters were deep in grief over the loss of Lazarus, but even in their grief they showed an amazing faith. Faith that Jesus can do all things.
Mary's rush from the house to the tomb draws those in the house and gathered around to the tomb where Jesus is waiting. In effect Jesus is presented with a large audience a perfect setting to reveal the Glory of God. As Jesus prayed by the tomb the Word was spoken in the flesh. A last chance to convert those gathered to true believers. As it we read many did believe.
Remember earlier I mentioned that this sign set the stage for Jesus' death. The Pharisees were distressed by this event in particular. Jewish authorities feared a Messianic movement would erupt into violence and bring Roman intervention thus an end to the last remnants of Israel's national-political existence. In the debate raging in the Sanhedrin, Caiaphas, the high priest, interrupted announcing to them, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
The high priest was gifted with prophesy since Old Testament times. Although the high priesthood had ceased to be a lifelong office under Roman rule, limited to one year terms. Caiaphas did prophesy. Like Balaam in the book of Numbers, Caiaphas could only speak what God put in his mouth. His words had a meaning that was beyond the understanding of those present in the Sanhedrin.
Yes, Jesus would die, not to keep the status quo of Israel, but for the salvation of all. Jew and Gentile, you and me.
I see a lesson here that may not be readily apparent. A lesson about control.
Human nature always wants to be in control. Our very nature causes us to have great anxiety when we feel we are not in control. The Jewish authorities are a perfect example of the utter madness that can ensue when we feel we have lost control. That is the human way.
The Christian way is much different. We realize we need to let go. The Christian way is to have a submissive spirit.
The amazing faith in Jesus shown here by Mary and Martha is an example of a truly submissive spirit.
However, Jesus is the perfect submissive spirit. His human side wept at the grieving of Mary and Martha, he showed compassion for the sisters. His human side asked if there was another way in the Garden. He endured humiliation, beatings, and the cross. Through it all He showed submission to the Father, by His delay in travel, His submission to authority, His death on the cross for you and me.
It's difficult for us to understand the submissive spirit of Christ. Our culture rebels against it. We live in a culture of individualism. Me first. It's hard to understand this submissive spirit let alone emulate it.
What do we do when we feel we have lost control?
The common human responses are manipulation and revenge.
Ah yes vengeance is sweet. We will make our perceived oppressor pay for their hurtful action. Little do we realize that we have given them more control because our pursuit of revenge takes over our life. Jesus himself says to turn the other check. And as God says, vengeance is mine.
Manipulation is another way we try to take back control. Whether it's a child in the grocery store throwing a tantrum to get the items he or she wants, or the person who spreads gossip to belittle their adversary, we try to twist the arm of someone either physically or metaphorically in order to get our way.
In truth when we don't let go, we effectively tell God we don't trust His plan. God does have a plan and if we foolishly believe our plan is better than His we condemn ourselves to constant frustration. If we truly accept Jesus as our Savior there is no question about whose plan is better. Not my will be done but Thy will be done. A quote attributed to Harry Truman sums it up nicely, "You have a plan and God has a plan, your plan doesn't count."
Whatever it is you are holding onto, let it go. Don't be blinded as the Pharisees were by laws and prejudices. Trust in God's plan for your life, for this congregation, for His Church.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
