WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 00:00:05.820 --> 00:00:12.820 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:17.820 So the sister sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one you love is sick. 00:00:18.460 --> 00:00:22.320 When he heard this, Jesus said, this sickness will not end in death. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.920 No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:30.540 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:35.079 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:38.620 And then he said to his disciples, let us go back to Judea. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:44.900 But Rabbi, they said, a short while ago, the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you're going back? 00:00:45.680 --> 00:00:48.520 Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours of daylight? 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:53.280 Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light. 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:57.520 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:04.820 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up. 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:08.980 His disciples replied, Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better. 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:14.120 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:21.400 So then he told them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. 00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:22.960 But let us go to him. 00:01:24.160 --> 00:01:31.780 Then Thomas, also known as Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, let us also go, that we may die with him. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:38.280 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:46.019 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:52.240 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:58.399 Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:02.599 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:06.419 Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again. 00:02:07.259 --> 00:02:12.219 Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection of the last day. 00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:16.139 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:20.659 The one who believes in me will live, even though they died. 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:24.560 And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:26.000 Do you believe this? 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:28.659 Yes, Lord, she replied. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:33.439 I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. 00:02:34.419 --> 00:02:38.939 After she had said that, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:42.719 The teacher is here, she said, and he is asking for you. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:46.639 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:52.459 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:59.319 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:03.279 they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 00:03:04.279 --> 00:03:09.759 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:14.120 Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:19.439 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:22.419 he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 00:03:23.239 --> 00:03:24.919 Where have you laid him? he asked. 00:03:25.579 --> 00:03:27.459 Come and see, Lord, they replied. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:28.759 Jesus wept. 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:31.079 Then the Jews said, 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:33.039 See how he loved him. 00:03:33.799 --> 00:03:35.079 But some of them said, 00:03:35.519 --> 00:03:39.840 Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.239 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. 00:03:44.959 --> 00:03:47.479 It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:50.000 Take away the stone, he said. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:59.240 But Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, but at this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days. 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:01.259 Then Jesus said, 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:05.400 Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:07.840 So they took away the stone. 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:10.039 Then Jesus looked up and said, 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:13.340 Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:19.899 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the peoples. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:23.220 I am standing here, that they may believe that you sent me. 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.860 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:30.139 Lazarus, come out. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:37.759 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth round his face. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:39.540 Jesus said to them, 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:42.180 Take off the gray clothes and let them go. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:44.019 Let's pray together. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.120 Father, we thank you for the Bible, 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:54.139 and because from this passage we can so clearly see that you are a God who cares and listens. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:00.899 We thank you for you and for all the work he has put in the preparation for this message this morning. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:05.000 We ask that you will use the things he will say for your glory 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:08.959 and that more people will see and believe in your son Jesus 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.139 and we'll declare that he is indeed the resurrection and the life. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:23.099 Well, friends, good morning and let me invite you to keep your Bibles open to the Gospel of John and chapter 11. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:29.600 Before we begin our study this morning, let me just bring a personal greeting to you all. 00:05:30.280 --> 00:05:34.420 You may have heard, but Helen and myself and the children are moving up to the Highlands 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:37.780 and we leave in July. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:43.120 So this is really the last opportunity I have to bring that greeting before we move. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:48.780 But on behalf of our family and the Holyrood Evangelical Church family, 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:53.699 I just wanted to thank you for your partnership in the Gospel during recent years. 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:59.840 We have benefited enormously from being part of the East of Scotland Gospel Partnership 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:05.399 in which Graham and before him John have shown tremendous leadership. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:10.500 We as a church are very conscious of your prayerful support 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:15.239 and we are grateful that you enabled us to use this building, this wonderful property, 00:06:15.239 --> 00:06:21.199 to hold our prayer meetings during those years when we were looking for a property of our own. 00:06:22.299 --> 00:06:26.060 And we thank you that in recent months you have shared with us your preachers 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:30.879 and you have sent both Graham and Alistair to preach to us. 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:33.719 And so we rejoice in our partnership 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:38.180 and I pray that partnership between these two church families will continue 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:40.840 in the months and the years ahead. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:47.700 Let's now look together at John chapter 11 and the raising of Lazarus. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:51.860 This is a very well-known account in the Gospel. 00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:57.760 It's a text that is known even to the wider culture and the world outside of the church. 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:03.060 David Bowie, the musician, wrote a musical called Lazarus. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:07.019 And you would expect people to understand what he meant by that 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:11.339 because the story of Lazarus is widely known outside of the church. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:17.040 So it's a very well-known account and it's a very important event in John's Gospel. 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:22.899 It is the last of Jesus' miraculous signs before his crucifixion 00:07:22.899 --> 00:07:29.399 and the one in which he demonstrates his authority over the last enemy, death itself. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:35.000 And ironically, it is the resurrection of Lazarus that persuades Jesus' opponents 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:37.779 that he must be put to death. 00:07:38.299 --> 00:07:40.259 11 verse 53. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:44.159 So from that day on they plotted to take his life. 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:47.980 Jesus' life was already in danger at the beginning of the chapter 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:54.599 but by the end it's the final straw and there is a price on his head, so to speak. 00:07:55.599 --> 00:08:00.719 So death casts its long shadow over the pages before us, over this entire chapter. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:05.760 At the beginning, at chapter 11 verse 1, we learn of this man Lazarus. 00:08:05.860 --> 00:08:09.920 He's sick and it looks likely he's going to die of natural causes. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:14.420 And at the end of this section, chapter 12 verse 10, 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:18.660 we find that there is a plot to put Lazarus himself to death. 00:08:18.940 --> 00:08:22.840 The chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well. 00:08:23.580 --> 00:08:27.940 So at the beginning he's facing a natural death, at the end he's facing a violent death. 00:08:27.939 --> 00:08:32.080 Death casting its long shadow over the events of this chapter. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:38.620 But in the middle of this account, we have the wonderful light of the gospel breaking in 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:41.460 and these glorious words in verse 25, 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:44.700 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.240 Lazarus is delivered from the grave 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:55.720 and the Lord reminds us that the last enemy will not have the last word on the last day. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:09:00.259 So we want to look at this passage together under three headings. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:03.740 Firstly, verses 1 to 16, the sister's request. 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:09.460 Secondly, verses 17 to 37, the Lord's sympathetic response. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:16.259 And thirdly and finally, verse 38 to 45, the supernatural resurrection. 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:20.160 Firstly then, the sister's request. 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:23.019 Chapter 11 verse 1 to 16. 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:26.559 You may have heard the name of Nabel Qureshi, 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:30.019 who was a convert from Islam 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:34.539 and he became a passionate Christian believer, a passionate evangelist. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.960 He spoke at university campuses all over the world. 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:41.980 He wrote a best-selling book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:47.899 He was a talented writer and speaker, a father and a husband. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:52.799 And in his early 30s, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:57.519 and people followed his illness with prayerful interest. 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:01.539 And during a very serious episode in his illness, 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:04.860 he recorded a video message from his hospital bed 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.679 asking that people might pray for a miracle 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:09.620 and that he might be healed. 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:12.720 He recognised the urgency of the situation. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:15.199 He said it needs to happen in the next few days. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:20.440 And no doubt people all over the world were praying in their thousands. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.100 But only a few days later, Nabel died, 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:29.420 leaving his wife a widow and his toddler daughter fatherless. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:34.200 What are we to think when the Lord does not do the miracle 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:36.820 we ask for and long for? 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:40.920 And that is the situation here with Lazarus. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.640 Jesus was friends with Mary and Martha, 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.960 who we meet elsewhere in the Gospels. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:49.600 And they have a brother who is also a friend of the Lord. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:55.320 In verse 5, we're told Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:59.100 But Lazarus is taken unwell and word reaches the Lord 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.980 that he's perhaps about to die. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:03.860 And what happens next? 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:06.860 Does the Lord drop everything 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:10.100 and travel through the night to reach him? 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:13.139 Well, we're told in verse 6, 00:11:14.060 --> 00:11:15.639 when they heard that Lazarus was sick, 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:18.440 he stayed there two more days. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:21.680 By the time he arrives in Bethany, 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:23.840 where Lazarus is, verse 17, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:27.300 we're told that he had been dead for four days. 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:32.219 So the Lord knew his friend was sick. 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:35.339 And yet he did not rush to his bedside. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:39.519 It took him at least six days to travel to his home. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:43.120 And the situation is more complicated than that. 00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:45.479 If we think back to John's Gospel, chapter 4, 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:49.039 you recall the miracle of the official who had a son 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:50.859 who was at the point of death. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:53.740 And this official pleaded with the Lord, saying, 00:11:53.859 --> 00:11:55.899 Sarah, come down before my child dies. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:58.759 And the Lord replied, your son will live. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.340 And when the official returned home, 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:04.939 he discovered that his son was alive and had recovered. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:09.199 So the Lord could heal at a distance, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:10.759 and yet he chose not to. 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:14.039 The Lord could have travelled quickly to Lazarus' side, 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.240 and yet he chose not to. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:20.000 And it took him six days at least to arrive in Bethany. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:25.120 Why did he not do the miracle everybody longed for, 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:27.419 and the sisters were hoping for? 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:32.500 Well, we're going to think about that in our third point. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.740 But just notice a few clues were given. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:37.620 Verse 4, when Jesus heard this, he said, 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:46.500 Verse 11, these enigmatic words, 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:49.000 Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:53.799 And verse 14, the Lord says to his disciples, 00:12:54.460 --> 00:13:03.879 Let's hold these thoughts in our mind, 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:08.779 but let's notice that Lazarus died before the coming of the Lord. 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:13.340 And that is the experience of many Christians. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:19.279 In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul writes that wonderful chapter about the coming of the Lord. 00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.539 And he says this, 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:26.059 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:31.339 so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope. 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:35.479 What Paul recognised, what the early church experienced, 00:13:35.739 --> 00:13:40.719 was that many Christians did die before the coming of the Lord. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:43.479 Many Christians do fall asleep, 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:47.439 despite the earnest pleas and prayers of their loved ones, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:50.599 before the Lord comes for them. 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:55.800 There are, of course, sometimes remarkable deliverances from death. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:59.259 In January, I spoke to a colleague in ministry 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:01.899 who was taking part in a race 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:04.720 and suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:08.279 And one of the other people in the competition was a doctor 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:10.240 who immediately began to resuscitate him. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:12.720 And his life was saved. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:16.220 But very often our experience might seem 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.779 more like that of Martha and Mary. 00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:21.660 The Lord not doing the miracle 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:24.240 perhaps we pray for and long for. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:28.519 So that was the sisters' request. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:32.759 And secondly, we see the Lord's sympathetic response, 00:14:32.920 --> 00:14:34.940 verses 17 to 37. 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:38.139 He interacts with the two sisters. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:41.680 And we notice that they both make the same remark to him. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.740 Martha says, 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:46.759 Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:49.120 And Mary later says the same. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.720 And yet the Lord responds in two quite different ways. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:56.419 To Martha, he gives a theological answer. 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:57.879 Verse 23, 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.779 Your brother will rise again. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.100 And Martha acknowledges this. 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:03.419 She says, 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:07.039 I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:10.039 Martha knew her Old Testament. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:13.060 She knew the glimpses of hope of the life to come 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.879 which she read there. 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:17.359 The faith of the psalmist that God would take him into glory 00:15:17.359 --> 00:15:19.859 and that he would dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:15:20.979 --> 00:15:22.559 Or the promise given to Daniel 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:25.639 that those sleeping in the dust of the earth would awake. 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:30.359 A couple of weeks ago I was reading Isaiah 00:15:30.359 --> 00:15:32.399 in my quiet time 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:35.319 and I encountered chapter 26, verse 19. 00:15:35.859 --> 00:15:38.259 A verse I don't recall reading before 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.519 or certainly not with 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:42.139 the impression it made upon me that day. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.620 And this verse says, 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.799 But your dead will live, 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.080 Lord. 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.379 Their bodies will rise. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.559 Let those who dwell in the dust 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:52.039 wake up and shout for joy. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.480 Your dew is like the dew of the morning. 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:56.899 The earth will give birth to her dead. 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:59.419 And all through the Old Testament 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:01.399 these hints and foreshadowings 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.659 of the resurrection. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:06.279 And Jesus says that he is the resurrection. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.100 Verse 25, 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:09.399 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.100 Whoever believes in me, 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.759 though he die, 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:12.939 yet shall he live. 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:16.199 So he gives to Martha 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.819 a theological answer 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:19.199 reminding her 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:21.019 of the promised resurrection, 00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:22.579 pointing her to himself 00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:24.059 as the one 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.240 who is the resurrection 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.219 and the life. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.860 And Paul says the same 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.199 in 1 Thessalonians 4. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:32.800 For the words we read, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.379 not wanting to be uninformed 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.820 about those who sleep in death, 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:37.600 that we might not grieve 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.680 like the rest of mankind 00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:39.800 who have no hope. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.520 For we believe that Jesus died 00:16:42.520 --> 00:16:43.280 and rose again 00:16:43.280 --> 00:16:44.560 and so we believe that God 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.540 will bring with Jesus 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:47.720 those who have fallen asleep in him. 00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:50.220 The last enemy 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:52.100 will not have the last word 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:53.900 on the last day. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.480 And that changes 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.600 our understanding 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.680 of an experience 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:02.279 of death. 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:05.360 Charles Spurgeon, 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.519 the 19th century preacher, 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.440 wrote these words, 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:11.059 I will not fear you, death. 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:11.819 Why should I? 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.519 You look like a dragon, 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.779 but your sting is gone. 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.579 Your teeth are broken. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.740 Oh, old lion, 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:19.059 why should I fear you? 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.019 I know you are no more 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.279 able to destroy me, 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.680 but you are sent 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.360 as a messenger 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.180 to conduct me 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.319 to the golden gate 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.759 wherein I shall enter 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:29.559 and see my saviour's 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.919 unveiled face forever. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.039 The Lord gives to Martha 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.119 a theological answer. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.879 But his response 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.919 to Mary is different 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:41.319 and she makes 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.039 the same remark. 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.939 Lord, if you'd been here, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.059 my brother would not have died. 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:45.899 But to her, 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:47.859 he gives no theological answer, 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.799 but instead demonstrates 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.799 a moving pastoral response. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:55.519 And we have in that response 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.079 the shortest sentence 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.019 in the Bible, 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.259 1135, 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.419 Jesus wept. 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:05.680 Jesus wept at the death 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.359 of a friend he loved. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.559 He wept that death 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.039 should ever have invaded 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:13.379 and polluted the world he made. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.619 And the Lord grieved. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:18.779 Our majesty, 00:18:18.919 --> 00:18:19.279 the queen, 00:18:19.479 --> 00:18:20.779 in a televised address, 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.879 once said that grief 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.119 is the price we pay 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.959 for love. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.619 And the Lord 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.919 loved Lazarus 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:28.079 and his sisters 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.859 and so he grieved 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:31.259 to hear 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.519 of his loss. 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.759 And as Christians, 00:18:34.959 --> 00:18:36.000 we will grieve. 00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:37.039 Paul has just said 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.539 the same 00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:39.439 in 1 Thessalonians 4. 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.199 He wants us 00:18:41.199 --> 00:18:42.839 not to not grieve, 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.519 but not to grieve 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.639 like the rest of mankind 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:47.799 who have no hope. 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.319 As Christians, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.599 we will weep 00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:51.859 when we lose 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:53.460 those we love. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.539 We will weep 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.960 with those who weep 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.660 as we are commanded to. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.720 And we will weep 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.740 as Jesus wept 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.960 at the loss 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.740 of friends 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:06.440 and of family. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.160 The Lord manifested 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.819 a sympathetic pastoral response. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.420 A very good friend of mine 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.420 last year 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.460 lost his sister 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.140 in adulthood 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:20.759 and he wrote 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.660 and spoke 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.480 about his experience 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.060 of this. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.259 And one comment 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.800 which kept 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:29.160 coming back 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:29.560 to him 00:19:29.560 --> 00:19:30.259 was the importance 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.840 of empathy. 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.779 And what made the difference 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.100 during those difficult months 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.600 was people 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.360 who were just willing 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.200 to be with him 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.539 and his family 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.620 and to sit with them 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:40.100 and to listen with them. 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.980 empathy 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.059 shown 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.119 to those 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:45.000 bereaved. 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.019 And that's what the Lord 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.019 does here 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.480 as he weeps 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.899 with those 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:51.859 who weep. 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.919 So the Lord 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.779 gives to Martha 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.199 a theological answer. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.359 He demonstrates 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.000 to Mary 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.299 a very sensitive 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.119 pastoral response. 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:02.639 And may we 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.939 as Christian people 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:05.119 as we minister 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.259 to one another 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.119 seek to strike 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.699 that same balance. 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.199 The Lord's 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:12.259 sympathetic 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.539 response. 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.479 Thirdly, 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.579 verses 38 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:18.199 to 45 00:20:18.199 --> 00:20:19.399 the supernatural 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.119 resurrection 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:21.839 of Lazarus. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.879 And the story 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.779 is told 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.639 so powerfully 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:27.399 from verse 38. 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:28.719 Jesus, 00:20:28.979 --> 00:20:29.699 deeply moved, 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.919 comes to the tomb 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:31.859 and commands 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.419 the stone 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:33.379 to be rolled away. 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:34.560 Martha 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.400 objects. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.580 There is a bad 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:36.860 odour. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.440 He's been there 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.180 four days. 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:39.880 But then Jesus 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.260 says, 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.060 did I not tell you 00:20:41.060 --> 00:20:41.580 if you believed 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.060 you would see 00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:42.960 the glory of God? 00:20:44.020 --> 00:20:44.500 And so they 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.400 take away the stone 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:47.140 and he prays 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.300 to God 00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:48.880 his Father. 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.860 And in verse 42 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:51.340 he says, 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.300 I said this 00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:52.840 for the benefit 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.260 of the people 00:20:53.260 --> 00:20:54.140 standing here 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.460 that they may 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.220 believe that 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.100 you sent me. 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.520 And after that 00:20:59.520 --> 00:21:00.520 he cries out 00:21:00.520 --> 00:21:01.120 to Lazarus 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:01.800 in a loud voice, 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.420 Lazarus, 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.060 come out! 00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:05.000 And the dead man 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.640 comes out, 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.300 his hands and feet 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.120 wrapped with strips 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:08.540 of linen 00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:09.640 and a cloth 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.620 around his face. 00:21:11.780 --> 00:21:12.260 And the Lord 00:21:12.260 --> 00:21:13.280 commands the grave 00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:13.700 clothes 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:14.840 to be taken 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.440 from him 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.760 and for him 00:21:16.760 --> 00:21:17.540 to be let go. 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.300 And it's just 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:19.940 a wonderful 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.760 reunion, 00:21:21.040 --> 00:21:21.540 isn't it? 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:23.060 In recent weeks 00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:24.140 we've seen 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.760 the restrictions 00:21:24.760 --> 00:21:25.900 being eased 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.940 and people can now 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.200 begin to meet 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.260 their friends again. 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.060 Grandparents 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:30.900 can once more 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:32.360 hug their grandchildren. 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.479 children. 00:21:33.479 --> 00:21:33.879 And haven't 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.379 these been 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.359 wonderful, 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.699 emotional, 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.099 joyful reunions 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.099 to hug those 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.979 perhaps you haven't 00:21:39.979 --> 00:21:41.179 seen or touched 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.179 for three months? 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.519 How joyful 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.279 it must have been 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.119 for these sisters 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.579 to embrace 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.459 Lazarus 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.500 who they thought 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.179 they would never 00:21:50.179 --> 00:21:50.959 see again. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.479 The last enemy 00:21:53.479 --> 00:21:55.559 is not the last word. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:58.279 But why did it 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.919 have to happen 00:21:58.919 --> 00:21:59.359 this way? 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.500 Well Jesus says 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.960 in order that 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.559 he might be 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.419 glorified, 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.399 that if you believed 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.899 you would see 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:05.919 the glory of God 00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:07.599 in order that 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.259 others might put 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.359 their faith in him. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.639 I say this 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.159 for the benefit 00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:11.619 of the people 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.299 standing here 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.759 that they may 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.299 believe that 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.940 you sent me. 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:15.539 And that is 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.119 what happens 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.019 verse 45. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.059 Many of the Jews 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.819 who'd come to visit 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.339 Mary and had seen 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.240 what Jesus did 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.079 put their faith 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.659 in him. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.199 When they saw 00:22:25.199 --> 00:22:26.199 the power of Jesus 00:22:26.199 --> 00:22:26.980 at work 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.259 in Lazarus 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:30.519 in his death 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.019 and in his 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.199 resurrection to life 00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:33.059 they believed 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.119 that Jesus 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.259 was the resurrection 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.079 and the life. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.419 And isn't it often 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:39.539 the case 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.179 that when people 00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:41.259 see the power 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.919 of Christ 00:22:41.919 --> 00:22:42.819 during an illness 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.879 or a bereavement 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:45.480 that they themselves 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.359 come to put 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.419 their faith in him. 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.939 Nabi Al Qureshi 00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.939 in that video 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.860 I mentioned 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:53.460 he asked for 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.180 prayer that he 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:54.980 might be healed 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.580 but he acknowledged 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.279 in that video 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.880 that God 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.519 was sovereign 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.539 and he said 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.759 whatever happens 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.759 I will love you 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.940 and trust you. 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:04.820 And that video 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:06.080 at the time 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.779 I viewed it 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.759 had been watched 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.220 almost one and a half 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.740 million times. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.799 It was perhaps 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.660 not the answer 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.200 Nabi Al 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.519 himself would have 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.279 wanted 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.940 but one and a half 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.600 million people 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.279 have heard his 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.799 testimony 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.899 and seen 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.759 his faith 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.299 and seen 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.240 him committing 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.839 himself 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.119 to the will 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.859 of his 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.940 father in 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.579 heaven. 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:31.980 And it's often 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.500 the case 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:32.960 isn't it 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.119 that when people 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.919 see a Christian 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:35.720 suffering or 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.599 facing death 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.500 that they 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.019 themselves 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:39.019 come to Christ. 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.000 A famous 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.619 preacher in 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.220 Scotland was 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.899 moved by the 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.379 death of his 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.059 Christian brother 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.319 and that caused 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.000 him to reflect 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.019 upon his own 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.220 Christian faith. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.319 death. 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.460 A friend 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.480 ministering in 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.299 East Asia 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.400 used to say 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.819 that people 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.460 would come to 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.160 funerals of 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.819 Christians in 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.460 that land 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.880 that continent 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.039 and say 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.420 oh I wish I 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.079 could die like 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.660 a Christian. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.860 John Wesley 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:04.180 said of the 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.779 Methodists 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.460 our people 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.799 die well. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.440 The Son of God 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.799 glorified 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.339 as Christians 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.480 face illness 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.480 and death 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.359 in faith. 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:16.960 Others 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.539 coming to 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.019 believe 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.899 when they 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:19.200 see the 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.639 power of 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.180 Christ at 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.980 work in 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.680 their lives. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.039 But it's 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.700 also a picture 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.379 of what will 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.099 happen when 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.559 the Lord 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.700 comes again 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.180 when he 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.940 returns. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.740 Paul speaks 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.339 about those 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.879 who sleep 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.619 in death 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:35.259 and he talks 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.539 of the 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.019 resurrection 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.619 that Jesus 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.180 died and 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.599 rose again 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.440 so we believe 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.859 that God 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.240 will bring 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.819 with Jesus 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.700 those who 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.259 have fallen 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.379 asleep in 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.019 him. 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:44.519 The Lord 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:44.879 will come 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.319 from heaven 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.859 with a loud 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.200 command, 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.700 the voice 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:46.960 of an 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.460 archangel, 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.279 the trumpet 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.759 call of 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.159 God and 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:49.539 the dead 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.019 in Christ 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.579 shall rise 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:52.099 first and 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.639 we will be 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.059 with the 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:54.240 Lord forever. 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.240 Lazarus 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.500 was woken 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:00.079 by the voice 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.799 of Christ 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.700 calling his 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.220 name. 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.079 Jairus' 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.480 daughter 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.720 in Mark's 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.419 gospel heard 00:25:06.419 --> 00:25:06.899 the Lord 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.799 Jesus whispering 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.399 to her 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.559 Talitha 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.659 little girl 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.460 I say 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.859 to you 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.599 wake up 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:14.240 and one 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.599 day 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.839 those who 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.399 sleep 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.079 shall hear 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.759 the voice 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:19.179 of Christ. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.579 John 5 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.039 25 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.099 a time 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.539 is coming 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:22.859 and has 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.259 now come 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.559 when the 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:23.919 dead will 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.359 hear the 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.839 voice of 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.179 the Son 00:25:25.179 --> 00:25:25.659 of God 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.799 and those 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.339 who hear 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.879 will live. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.259 Some 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.960 commentators 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.220 have remarked 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.679 that's why 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.480 Jesus had to 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:34.980 specify 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.740 Lazarus 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.680 in verse 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.319 43. 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.359 For if he 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.000 simply said 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.400 come out 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.880 the entire 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.460 graveyard 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:40.839 would have 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.220 risen to 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.579 life. 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.339 That's what 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.819 will happen 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.519 one day 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.940 as the 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.200 Lord calls 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.680 out our 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.240 names 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:51.099 and restores 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.200 us to 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.819 life once 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.180 more. 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.400 And it's 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.059 only possible 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.240 through him. 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.559 You see 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.039 at the beginning 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.759 of the chapter 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.680 the Lord 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.519 Jesus risked 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.180 his life 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.039 to save 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.640 Lazarus 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.380 from death. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.820 He knew 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.180 he was 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.700 in danger 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.740 and yet 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.160 he went 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.540 to his 00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:08.000 friend. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.460 But at 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.700 the end 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:09.960 of the 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.259 chapter 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.860 he speaks 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.140 to us 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.520 not of 00:26:11.520 --> 00:26:12.220 Lazarus' 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:12.800 burial 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.759 but of 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.240 his own. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.100 And in 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:17.400 verse 7 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.900 of chapter 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.340 12 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.140 Jesus speaks 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.600 about his 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.140 own burial 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.700 his own 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.440 death. 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.520 And this 00:26:23.520 --> 00:26:23.940 time he's 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.460 not risking 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.120 his life 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.660 to save 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.160 a friend 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.780 from death 00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:27.320 he's giving 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.000 his life 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.240 to save 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.820 his people 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.740 from 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.580 death. 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.819 John 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.119 Owen 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.720 the Puritan 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.559 theologian 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.079 spoke of 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.500 the death 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.019 of death 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.859 in the 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.240 death 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.319 of Christ 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.519 and that 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.839 is the 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.379 New Testament 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.000 witness. 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.299 Paul in 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.759 2nd 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.139 Timothy 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:46.480 Jesus Christ 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.259 has destroyed 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.720 death 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.679 and brought 00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.139 life and 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.779 immortality 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.399 to light 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:50.939 through the 00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:51.339 gospel. 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.480 The writer 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.839 to the 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.119 Hebrews 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.639 since the 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:53.960 children 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.240 have 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.539 flesh 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.699 and 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:54.939 blood 00:26:54.939 --> 00:26:55.439 he 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:55.819 shared 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.119 in their 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.599 humanity 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.119 so that 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.019 by his 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.439 death 00:26:58.439 --> 00:26:58.819 he might 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.059 break 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.519 the power 00:26:59.519 --> 00:26:59.839 of him 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.359 who holds 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.399 the power 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.859 of death 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.179 that is 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.679 the devil 00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:03.859 and free 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.319 those who 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.740 all their 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.299 lives were 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.759 held in 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.439 slavery by 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:06.939 their fear 00:27:06.939 --> 00:27:07.500 of death 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:09.959 the death 00:27:09.959 --> 00:27:10.519 of death 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.279 in the 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.639 death 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.779 of Christ 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:15.659 so the 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.179 Lord Jesus 00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:17.740 has the 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.339 victory 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.779 life 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.000 conquering 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.959 death 00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:23.419 and what a 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:23.839 wonderful 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.719 hope 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:25.659 that is 00:27:25.659 --> 00:27:27.339 we live in 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.279 this unprecedented 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.240 time and 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.079 every day 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.759 we're told 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.759 of the 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.339 tens of 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.779 thousands 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.380 around the 00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:33.680 world 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.460 getting sick 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.180 or dying 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.420 from the 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.079 coronavirus 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:38.200 we're given 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.160 detailed figures 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.559 of the 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.539 excess deaths 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.480 in our own 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.960 countries 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.900 never before 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.359 have we 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.519 been bombarded 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.319 so often 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.519 with reports 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.200 of death 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.160 statistics 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.980 each day 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:51.000 and what a 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.720 wonderful comfort 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.299 it is 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.559 to have the 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.279 words of Jesus 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.859 in verses 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.279 25 and 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.039 26 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.579 I am the 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.139 resurrection 00:27:59.139 --> 00:27:59.720 and the 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.159 life 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:01.220 he who 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.740 believes in 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.079 me will 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.139 live even 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:04.059 though he 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.680 dies 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:07.539 so friends 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.299 we saw 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.920 the sisters 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.539 request 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:11.000 they prayed 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.740 that Lazarus 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.700 might live 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.379 and Lazarus 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.700 did live 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.720 though not 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.579 perhaps how 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.059 they might have 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.619 expected 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:20.180 yet it was 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.920 necessary for 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.519 this to happen 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.920 that the 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.500 Son of God 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.500 may be glorified 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.700 and that others 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.279 would come to 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.160 believe in him 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.420 and believe 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.940 that God 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.920 had sent him 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:32.099 sometimes the 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:32.660 Lord doesn't 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.359 answer our 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.140 prayers in the 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:35.200 way we expect 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.859 but like 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.700 Nabeel Qureshi 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.279 we are to 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.880 trust him 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.259 and love him 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:42.400 and trust him 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.619 for the future 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:45.759 the Lord 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.640 manifested a 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.000 sympathetic 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.579 response to 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.279 the bereaved 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.200 and as 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.839 Christians we 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.579 are to do 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.160 the same 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.079 we will grieve 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.480 but we do 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.059 not grieve 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.539 as those 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.980 who have 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.619 no hope 00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.859 we must 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.480 remember the 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:58.919 theological 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:00.379 truths of 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.139 the resurrection 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.359 on the last 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:04.039 day but we 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:05.919 must show a 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.480 wholehearted 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.619 pastoral response 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.960 and to weep 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:10.000 with those 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.960 who weep 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:13.439 and we saw 00:29:13.439 --> 00:29:14.119 finally the 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.699 supernatural 00:29:14.699 --> 00:29:16.059 resurrection 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.899 the Lord's 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.919 power and 00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.619 glory that 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:20.039 foretaste of 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.539 what he will 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.480 do for each 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.000 and everyone 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.699 who believes 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.140 in him 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:24.259 when he 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.940 calls our 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.420 names 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.640 and wakes 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.019 us from 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.580 our sleep 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.360 that we 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:28.720 might be 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.200 with him 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.759 forever 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:32.360 oh death 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:32.900 I know you 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.460 are no more 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:33.920 able to 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.620 destroy me 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.000 but you 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.480 are sent 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.799 as a 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.160 messenger 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.819 to conduct 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.580 me to 00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.100 the golden 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:38.460 gate 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:38.980 wherein I 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.519 shall enter 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.380 and see 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:41.200 my saviour's 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.779 unfailed 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.400 face 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.299 forever 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:45.500 what a 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.900 comfort 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:47.019 that is 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.860 for us 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:49.240 but also 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.600 what a 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.100 challenge 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:51.859 and if 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.379 you have 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.039 been viewing 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.399 these 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.659 broadcasts 00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:55.359 and we're 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.919 very glad 00:29:55.919 --> 00:29:56.459 that you 00:29:56.459 --> 00:29:56.819 have 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.079 but you 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.359 wouldn't 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.299 yet identify 00:29:59.299 --> 00:29:59.899 yourself 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.740 as a 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.159 Christian 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:02.259 can I 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.759 direct your 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.399 attention to 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.359 verse 26 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.980 and the 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.459 words of 00:30:06.459 --> 00:30:07.099 Jesus when 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.599 he says 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.139 do you 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.539 believe 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.000 this 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.839 and maybe 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:11.459 you've 00:30:11.459 --> 00:30:12.379 tuned in 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:12.980 and you 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.659 enjoy the 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.099 music 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.759 the wonderful 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.319 music 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.259 and you 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.859 enjoy the 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.159 Bible 00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:17.619 readings 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.779 and listening 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.220 to the 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.659 prayers 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.879 and today 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.299 the Lord 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.919 Jesus says 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:22.279 to you 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.980 do you 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.000 believe this 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.240 do you 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.960 believe that 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.460 he is 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.599 the resurrection 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.519 and the 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:28.919 life 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.720 do you 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.480 have hope 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.659 and security 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.399 in him 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:34.339 well friends 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:35.200 today might 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.899 be that day 00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.240 when you 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.779 move from 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.299 darkness 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:39.240 to light 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.579 when you 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.059 cross over 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.599 from death 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.240 to life 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.419 and you 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.539 find in 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.159 Christ the 00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:44.679 resurrection 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.279 and the 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.660 life 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.940 and find 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.279 in him 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.880 your hope 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.200 and security 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.200 in this 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.560 life 00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:51.759 and in the 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.220 world to 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.500 come 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:55.259 well friends 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.940 thank you for 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.779 the invitation 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.220 may God bless 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.220 you and 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.560 may God 00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:00.320 keep you 00:31:00.320 --> 00:31:01.100 until we 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:01.680 meet again 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:03.100 Amen