John 11 - Introduction

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I am the Resurrection and the Lifethis chapter must have no other title but this written over it. It is filled with comfort and strength in its revelation that Jesus holds death and life in His hands. It is a touchstone of evidence for the deity of Jesus. It shows the emotions of the very heart of the Master as He weeps for those whom He loves. Used as the text for countless thousands of funeral sermons it still remains the most vital and appropriate text for such occasions. We also see the frustration and malice of the Jewish rulers as they hold their murderous council.

The eleventh chapter tells of one incident among many in a Later Perean Ministry of about three months. After the Feast of Dedication Jesus retired into the region of Perea (cf. John 10:40-42). In the interval between the feast and the raising of Lazarus He makes an evangelistic tour of Perea; dines in the home of a Pharisee; delivers the parables of the lost sheep, coin and son; parables of unjust steward, Lazarus and rich man and unprofitable servants. After the raising of Lazarus, many other incidents transpire before Jesus approaches (John 12:1-50) Jerusalem for the final Passover (cf. Map #6, John 10:11-21).

Let us, then, outline chapter eleven, following our general outline of the entire gospel of John, in this manner:
II

The Word Manifested to the Jews and their Rejection of Him, John 1:19, John 12:50

D.

Public Ministry, Third Year

4.

Later Perean Ministry, John 11:1, John 11:57

a.

A Man Dies for a Purpose, John 11:7-16

b.

The Purpose explained, John 11:7-16

c.

I Am The Resurrection and the Life, John 11:17-27

d.

Jesus Wept, John 11:28-37

e.

He That Was Dead Came Forth, John 11:38-46

f.

Politics and Murder, John 11:47-57

EXPOSITORY SERMON NO. ELEVEN

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

John 11:1-53

Introduction

I.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS INCIDENT

A.

This miracle second only to Christ's own resurrection.

B.

It has played a significant role in leading many to belief in Christ.

C.

It has given strength and comfort to believers of every age.

D.

It precipitated such a fierce animosity by the rulers against Jesus as to become their point of no return.

1.

The multitudes were so taken to Jesus by this miracle that the rulers cast aside craftiness and secrecy in their scheme to murder Him (cf. John 12:9-19).

E.

It is also the climactic miracle of His ministry of miracles.

II.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS FAMILY

A.

They were some of the dearest friends of Jesus.

B.

From other visits Jesus made in their home it seems that He went there especially to rest and be strengthened through the sympathetic reception He received.

1.

His half-brothers, His twelve disciples, the multitudes might all misunderstand Him, but here He was loved and cared for and His teachings were believed, at least by Mary and perhaps by Lazarus.

C.

Relate the accounts of Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8.

III.

WHAT IS SEEN HERE ABOUT JESUS, THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE?

A.

His desire to be our Resurrection and Life.

B.

His proof that He is our Resurrection and Life.

C.

How He becomes our Resurrection and Life.

Discussion

I.

HIS DESIRE TO BE OUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE

A. His great love and compassion led Him to the tomb of Lazarus (cf. John 11:3; John 11:5; John 11:33; John 11:35-36). It was His great love that led Him from the ivory palaces into a world of woe (John 3:16). He saw all the sorrow of the whole world that Satan wrought through death. His heart went out to man and He Himself partook of flesh and blood that. He might bring to naught him that had the power of death. and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (cf. Hebrews 2:14 ff). Our God is indeed marvelous and divine. Even though He knows He has the remedy for our tears and anguish, He weeps over the fact that we must even suffer the bitterness of death.

Illustration: A father, sitting in his study one evening, looked up just in time to see his tiny daughter get her fingers caught in the door as she tried to come into the room. The father was very busy and called to the mother, You-'d better come and look after this little girl. The mother came hurriedly, took her up in her arms and asked, Does it hurt? Oh, it hurts real bad, replied the tiny tot, but the worst is that Daddy didn-'t even kiss it. Our hurts seem easier to bear when we know friends are truly sympathetic. WHAT A GREAT CONSOLATION TO KNOW OUR GOD LOVES US AND FEELS FOR US.

B.

There was a higher reason Jesus had for wanting to go to Bethany. He went to Bethany to do more than merely weep with the sistersto do even more than bring Lazarus back to life. He went to perform a deed that would show beyond doubt His desire and ability to become The Resurrection and the Life. He expressed it a strange way. To thus give this gift of love He stayed away from Bethany until Lazarus had been dead a number of days. He stayed away because of His love for the family of Lazarus and because of His love for His disciples. An unbeliever calls Christ immoral to let Lazarus die just to glorify Himself later. But look at the great and glorious blessing Jesus gave to Mary, Martha, Lazarus, His disciples and the whole worldHe revealed Himself absolutely as the divine Saviour with power of death.

II.

HIS PROOF THAT HE IS OUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE

A.

To claim what Jesus claimed is easy (cf. John 11:25). But to prove it is another thing! A Christian missionary and Hindu priest were each presenting the case for their religion. The Hindu priest had gone to great lengths to explain the mysticism and philosophies of concentration, reason and introspection. When opportunity came for the missionary to speak he said simply, Could the founder of your religion say, -I am the resurrection and the life?-' Yes, replied the priest, he has said that. But, asked the missionary, has he ever proved it to eyewitnesses like my Jesus?

B.

Take a look at the evidence for this miraculous resurrection. There is no possibility of deception. (a) The friends of the family of Lazarus knew Lazarus was dead and thus their presence precludes the possibility of deception; (b) Lazarus was four days deadhis body was stinking from decompositionthis was not a case of suspended animation, swooning, etc.; (c) Jesus was away at his death and thus there were no schemes cooked up between them to deceive the people; (d) It would have been impossible to deceive Lazarus-' sisters into believing that he was really resurrected if he had not been; (e) All present were convinced, believers and unbelievers alike.

There was no concealment, no secrecy connected with this miracle. It was done publicly, in open daylight and was witnessed by a great many people. The enemies of Jesus saw it and went immediately to report it to the Pharisees. Notice, however, they did not deny that Jesus had actually raised Lazarus to life. They could not deny it and, as a matter of fact, the very reason for their alarm was that Jesus had really performed such a miracle. The Pharisees did not investigate it, which they surely would have done had there been any question at all (cf. John 9:1-41). Instead, they later decided that Lazarus must be killed in order to do away with the overwhelming evidence for Jesus-' claims.

C.

Notice the very apparent restraint of the account of this miracle. This certainly goes to substantiate the claim for Holy Spirit guidance in the gospel record. Had any writer reported this astounding event without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we would have had pages and pages rather than a few verses. We would no doubt have had some report from Lazarus about his experiences in death, entombment, the other world, etc., etc. There would have been interviews, reports of the excitement about the tomb and words from the sisters. But ALL OF THAT IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO THE PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL RECORDS.

D.

The conclusion is inevitable! Every circumstance in this account is plain, simple, consistent, factual and truthful. Jesus demonstrated His power over death and life. His claims are validatedHis religion is the only religionthere is salvation in no other name but HisHe IS the Resurrection and the Life!

III.

HOW HE BECOMES OUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE

A.

He becomes the Resurrection and Life by faithyour faith in Him (cf. John 11:25-26). It is more than mere acknowledgment of Jesus as the one that cometh into the world (John 11:27). It is a personal trust and full surrender to Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It is saying with Peter, Lord to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

B.

Faith is equally reason and will. Faith is wanting to believe as much as it is knowing enough to believe.

C.

The rulers, although they had plenty of evidence for faith did not want to believe. If they should surrender to Jesus their willsit meant they would have to change their deeds and motives and lives. They would rather cling to the performance of a few ceremonies and thus fulfill their religious obligations. This left them free (they supposed) to be morally as corrupt as they wished.

D.

Faith means obedience. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to all those who will obey Him (cf. Hebrews 5:9, and others).

Conclusion

I

JESUS DESIRES TO BECOME OUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE

A.

His great love and compassion led Him to Bethany and then to Calvary.

II

THE EVIDENCE THAT HE CAN BE OUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE IS UNDENIABLE

A.

The conclusion that Jesus is all He claims to be is inevitable.

III

WHETHER HE BECOMES YOUR RESURRECTION AND LIFE IS UP TO YOU

A.

This blessing of all blessings can be appropriated only by faith.

B.

What glorious wordswhat sweet and lovely wordsfounded on undeniable evidence! I am the Resurrection and the Life, He that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die.

C.

The story is told of a missionary who had gone to Korea to preach. He preached faithfully for a number of years and then, while she was in the flower of her life, he lost his wife to one of the dread diseases of the Orient. Her last words to her husband, while the tears streamed down his cheeks, were, Do not grieve for me, dear, you-'ll get me back. A month passed and again this missionary father sat beside a death bedthis time his little boy was dying. Again he heard these words. Don-'t cry Daddy, Mommy said you-'ll get us back. Two Korean women were present and one was weeping softly. The other woman said to the one weeping, Why do you weep? She replied, I am weeping for this poor father. The first one advised, Do not weep for these Christiansthey have a way of getting their dead back. Weep for yourself for you have lost a son and you shall never get him back. The missionary, overhearing this hopeless sigh, was challenged to many more years of zealous, fruitful preaching of the Gospel to the Korean people.