Raising Lazarus Amid Questions, Fears, and Doubts
John 11:1-46
I want us to read this passage about Lazarus straight through in its entirety, but first I want to begin with verses 5-6… You see, in reading this story, it’s easy to immediately question Jesus’ motives. He purposely delayed coming to Lazarus 2 days. He heard He was sick, and you would think that if He had really loved him (and the sisters), He would have left immediately to be by Lazarus’ side. The author, John, knows it would be easy to jump to that conclusion, and so he is very detailed with his words and aims to make sure the reader understands Jesus really did love Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In verse 5 he makes sure that no one draws a different conclusion. This verse frames into context verse 6- before John mentions the delay, he states matter-of-factly Jesus’ love. In fact, this whole passage is filled with expressions of Jesus’ love. Yet those around Him are very skeptical of that love. His love, decisions, and power are questioned and doubted over and over throughout this passage. The disciples, Martha, Mary, the bystanders- all at some point in the story question Jesus, expressing their doubts and fears. It could probably be said that this verse 5 actually frames the whole passage, it is the key verse that serves as the anchor in a choppy sea of questioning.
These people questioning Jesus are probably not too different than people of our day, perhaps even some of us, as we take what we know of God and Jesus and compare that knowledge to the circumstances and events that we experience in our lives. Sometimes, it’s hard to make sense out of circumstances around us, in light of what we know to be true of God. How can a loving God allow this to happen? Why are my prayers not being answered? What is taking Him so long to work and move? Surely we each have asked similar questions in our walk with the Lord. Even right now, I want you to take a moment and think about all the things that have happened in your life that perhaps made you question God’s goodness- the pain He has allowed in your life, the circumstances that didn’t work out like you imagined, Him not doing what you thought would be His desire to do, the delay in Him answering. I want you to think about these moments. You might even be experiencing one right now. And now I want you to mentally frame all of these experiences with verse 5, yet inserting your name in place of Martha, and her sister and Lazarus. “Now Jesus loved _________.” Before you entered into any difficult situation, the reality of verse 5 existed for you personally. The truth of verse 5 for you has to frame your verse 6 circumstance experiences. No matter what experiences you have had that don’t seem to quite add up, do not forget Jesus’ love for you. Even when it seems like He’s not acting out of love for you, and he’s delaying, you have to believe that He loves you. You have to believe that there is more to the story. You have to believe that He has answers that will prove His love for you, no matter what circumstances life brings you. We’re going to read this passage, and then look at 6 different truths gleamed from how Jesus responds to the questioning, fears, and doubts of the people. These 6 truths will help us in combating our questions, fears, and doubts. As we’re reading, see if you notice some of the various ways in which those around Jesus question Him. Verse 1… (John 11:1-46)
What a beautiful passage, full of vivid detail, emotion, and power. Our first question takes place in verse 8 when the disciples say to Jesus… Here we have questioned Jesus’ timing and wisdom. Bethany is a small village just 2 miles outside of Jerusalem, the city of the religious leaders who are seeking to murder Jesus. It’s not safe there. 2 miles is way too close to those that want to hunt Him down and kill Him. And how does Jesus answer their fear? Verse 9… Jesus here is comparing His life and work on earth to a 12 hour day. In this part of the world there is literally 12 hours of sunshine before night arrives again. Jesus was saying that though His life on earth was soon approaching night when He would be crucified, there was still daylight left and He would continue to work in the light. He was saying that the dark night of death wouldn’t come at an hour earlier than the hour in which it was already set in place to occur. With this response, Jesus answers their question, fear, and doubt with the truth that God is Sovereign. In combating our own questions, fears, and doubts, this is our 1st truth to rest in- God is Sovereign. God holds time in His hands, and His timing is perfect. That which is not supposed to happen, won’t happen. That which is supposed to happen in certain timing, won’t happen earlier or later than it is supposed to. Whenever we are tempted to doubt Jesus’ timing, whenever we are tempted to question God’s wisdom, remember that God is Sovereign- He sees all things and controls all things.
And then he turns the illustration spiritual in verse 10… In saying: “the light is not IN him,” in wit and play on words, Jesus turns His illustration comparing His life and a 12 hour day, into now an illustration emphasizing the clumsiness of those who don’t have His spiritual light within them. The opposite would seem to be implied as well, that those who have His spiritual light within them walk in light, clearly seeing, and don’t have to fear the threats of night and darkness. Jesus is answering their fear and doubt by letting them know they have nothing to fear and doubt, even in traveling near Jerusalem- if they walk with the light within them. We as well have nothing to fear and doubt if we walk in the light, allowing the light of Jesus to illuminate us from within. Remember what the Psalmist said of His God- “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Here is our second truth to rest in: The Light of His truth illuminates the path. There will be less stumbling, less questions, fears, and doubts, if we are walking in the light of His truth, letting His word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
The next question is in verse 21… What Martha says is actually conveyed as a statement, but there’s really a question behind that statement. The masked question is, “Jesus, why didn’t you come earlier?” But to her credit, she clarifies slightly and adds in verse 22… It appears her feeling is, “Jesus why didn’t you come, you left us hanging then, but I know you can fix everything now.” Surely you and I have felt like that before, right? “Jesus, you weren’t there for me then, you didn’t do what I expected you to do then, but I know you have the power to do it now!” Here again, we have a questioning of Jesus’ timing. Before it was a questioning of timing concerning possible future events (Jesus- what bad things might happen if we go near Jerusalem?). But now it’s a question of timing concerning events that have already happened (Jesus, you could have done something different but you didn’t?). Jesus then partially answered her in verse 23 “Your brother will rise again,” to which she responds in verse 24…
Now listen closely to how Jesus fully answers her question in verses 25-26… Jesus is making sure she sees the difference between answers found in good doctrinal theology, and answers found in the person of Jesus Christ. In verse 24 Martha was attempting to encourage herself, to dispel her anxious questions and fears by placing her hope in the resurrection and life to come. But Jesus says don’t put hope in just a resurrection, not just in a new life- but hope in Him alone! Because He is the resurrection and He is the life. The answer of hope is not found in correct doctrine, or in Jesus orchestrated events, but the answer of hope is found in Jesus Himself. Sound theology, an accurate understanding of the hope the Bible presents, good doctrine- can all help dispel questions and doubts, but the real answer is a person- Jesus. Knowing of the resurrection, going the right way, knowing the right truth, living the right life is essential, but the reality is that the answers to our questions, fears, and doubts are contained in a person, Jesus, who is THE resurrection, THE way, THE truth, who is THE life. (John 14:6) This is our 3rd truth: Your hope is the person Jesus. Sometimes we attempt to combat the pain of the past with the expectancy of future events, but Jesus is the true hope. The answer is a person, Jesus, who relates personally to us, and He is greater than all. He is the answer.
In verse 32 Mary presents the next question, and it’s the same question that her sister Martha had presented… “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Where were you Jesus? And look how Jesus responds this time, in verse 33, “He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled.” He was stirred up inside. It was a highly emotional moment, leading up to verse 35 where He visibly wept. He was troubled inside perhaps because this was the 3rd time now someone had questioned His motives and love for His friend. It hurts when you’re doing the right thing, and everyone misunderstands your intent. Surely, He was also deeply saddened in seeing everyone else, His created beings, so deeply saddened over not only the loss of Lazarus, but saddened at feeling let down by Jesus. As you experience questions, doubts, and fears, know that Jesus empathizes with you. He feels your pain and hurts with you. Know this 4th truth: Jesus hurts with you. He sees your pain, and it causes Him pain to see you struggle. He understands. He is cheering you on. He aches with you. He is troubled when you are troubled. He wants you to understand His love for you and it hurts Him to see His children doubt the depth of His love.
Look at the next question we have from some of the bystanders, verse 37… The question is, did Jesus have power to open the eyes of the blind, but not power to heal Lazarus? Is He really not all powerful? Or possibly the question is: Is He all-powerful, but stingy? Did He love the blind man more than Lazarus? Or Was there something more important to Jesus going on in the village He came from, something more important than the life of Lazarus? There are all kinds of possibilities of questions that arise when things don’t happen like we expect them to, or when we feel like things happen unfairly. Our minds can go to all sorts of dark places in questioning God. And again, we see a similar response of anguish from within Jesus, look at the immediate connection John makes from this question, to the response of Jesus in verse 38: “So Jesus, again being deeply moved within…” It grieved Him to hear the lying seeds of doubt taking root in the hearts of those around Him.
In verse 39, He says to “remove the stone,” and now His command is questioned. Martha says, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench for he has been dead four days.” In other words: Are you sure you want us to do what you are telling us to do? I mean, there’s good, obvious, physical reasons behind why we shouldn’t do this thing you are telling us to do. Do we ever do that? Jesus- you say do not be angry with your brother, but I have every right to be angry after what he did. God- you say don’t lie, but, it’s really for that person’s own good if I bend the truth a little. And how does Jesus respond? Verse 40…
Jesus reminds her. He reminds her of the solidness of what He has spoken. Remember Martha, I said to your messengers this would not end in death, but in the glory of God and the glory of the Son. (Verse 4) Remember Martha, believe in Me and there will be life, even through death. (verses 25-26) He responds to her questioning by asking her to recall, to remember His words. You and I need to do the same. When we have questions, doubts, and fears, we need to remember Jesus’ words. To read His promises, to refresh our memories of His truth. To remember the examples we have in scripture of what happened to those who trusted and obeyed His commands, and what happened to those who chose to ignore His commands. Our 5th truth is that Encouragement comes with remembrance. Remember what He has said, remember how He has worked, remember His promises- combat the questions, fears, and doubts with remembering.
And then ultimately, Jesus responds to the question from the mourners in verse 37 and the question of Martha in verse 39, by responding through His power. In verse 43, using His words alone, He commands Lazarus back to life. And in that one powerful moment, all the previous questions, doubts, and fears were answered. Oh I see, Jesus delayed coming because He knew Lazarus had already died by the time the messengers arrived to Him, and this is a much more amazing outcome anyway, than if Jesus had been with Lazarus and prevented His death. This makes sense now, it was so painful, but now I have no doubts what so ever as to who He is, what He can do, and what He will do for me when I die. I am so glad He allowed this to happen so I can have this new confidence and understanding. And because He worked in the way He did, more people chose to believe in Him! Everything became clearer as they witnessed His display of power.
Ultimately- in the end- Jesus is going to respond in the same way to our questions, fears, and doubts. He will answer them all with awesome displays of power, as we ourselves are resurrected to new life- as we receive new bodies and experience the miraculous delights of His Kingdom realm. One day, it will all make more sense. We’ll be able to look back and understand His wisdom and timing, His working, His delays in working, what He allowed and didn’t allow. It will all become clearer as the veil of this world is taken off and we see Him face to face in all His powerful glory. This is our final truth: His Power will one day answer all. The answers are coming, when Jesus in His power returns for His people and makes all things new, we will see much more clearly.
There’s one more display of questioning Jesus, in verse 46… Instead of believing as those in the previous verse 45 did, there were others who chose not to believe, still doubting His goodness despite all the evidence weighing in favor of His goodness. I can tell you that God is Sovereign and for you to walk in His light of Jesus. I can tell you to place your hope in the person of Jesus alone- that He wants a personal relationship with you. I can attempt to convince you of the deep emotion Jesus feels when He sees you broken and hurting. I can ask you to remind yourself of all His promises and words of encouragement and comfort. I can draw your attention to His great works of power recorded in the Bible, plead for you wait patiently for the day He will reveal His power to the world, and encourage you to ask Him to reveal Himself with power to you even now personally. But the reality is, you can still choose not to believe, like these in verse 46 did. We can all harden our hearts, and for whatever reason, choose to be resentful towards Jesus. Don’t let the seeds of questions, fears, and doubts take root in your heart. When questions, fears, and doubts present themselves, combat them with these 6 truths. 1- God is Sovereign. 2- The Light of His truth illuminates your path. 3- Your hope is the person Jesus. 4- Jesus hurts with you. 5- Encouragement comes with remembrance. 6- His Power will one day answer all.