WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:07.860 Christ is risen. Amen. If you have a Bible, turn with me to John chapter 11. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:14.240 We'll also put the verses up on the screen so you can follow along that way. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:24.519 I'm going to begin by reading the first 16 verses of John chapter 11, 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:29.080 the beginning of the story of a man named Lazarus. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.120 So join me as we read along. John 11, beginning at verse 1. 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:45.880 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary, and her sister Martha. 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:52.719 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:57.840 So the sisters said to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:03.720 But when Jesus heard it, he said, this illness does not lead to death. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:09.159 It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:13.540 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:01:13.540 --> 00:01:20.660 So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:24.940 Then after this, he said to the disciples, let us go to Judea again. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:29.900 The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you. 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:31.340 Are you going there again? 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:34.780 Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in the day? 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:38.620 If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.960 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:49.740 After saying these things, he said to them, our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him. 00:01:50.580 --> 00:01:53.960 The disciples said to him, Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:59.080 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 00:01:59.079 --> 00:02:03.640 Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died. 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:08.979 And for your sake, I am glad that I wasn't there so that you may believe, but let us go to him. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:16.479 So Thomas called the twins, said to his fellow disciples, let us also go, that we may die with him. 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:27.180 So one unavoidable part of being human is that often our expectations don't line up with reality. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:34.260 And sometimes this mismatch between expectations and reality results in disappointment. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:40.560 Last summer, my wife and I built a fire pit in our backyard, like many other people in 2020. 00:02:41.260 --> 00:02:43.340 And initially, I thought this will be great. 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:48.560 Now I'll be able to invite people over even through the winter, even through the pandemic. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:52.039 So one evening in mid-November, Brian Kunzman came over. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:54.240 He and I were going to meet and talk. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:58.280 And I said, well, you know, it's supposed to be a cold night, but I think I can build a pretty good fire. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:02:59.259 You're from Chicago. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:00.259 I'm from New England. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.360 We can do this. 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:06.319 Well, unfortunately, it had recently rained. 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:09.039 So the ground under the fire pit was wet. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:11.060 Some of the wood was also wet. 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:17.520 My skills at building fires in our indoor fireplace did not translate as well as I hoped to our outdoor fire pit. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:18.540 Brian was a good sport. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.000 We had a good conversation. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:23.140 But afterwards, I was so cold, I could not get to sleep for two more hours. 00:03:23.980 --> 00:03:28.379 And so I concluded I should not put anyone else in the church through that experience. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:32.360 And so the fire pit went unused for the rest of the winter. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:37.520 Now, in the scope of this past year, that is a fairly trivial example. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:46.800 But for many of us, this past year has brought with it a long list of disappointments, both trivial and more profound. 00:03:47.820 --> 00:03:54.100 We might say hopeful expectations that were crushed by harsh reality. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:04:01.319 But thankfully, disappointment is not the only way that our expectations don't line up with reality. 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:07.699 Sometimes the mismatch between our expectations and reality results in a glorious surprise. 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:14.699 For the last seven years or so, my family has had a small fig tree in the corner of our living room. 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:22.800 My wife, Jane, has faithfully watered and tended this plant, moving it outdoors during the warmer months and in the colder months, 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:25.759 positioning it by a south-facing window to maximize sunlight. 00:04:26.539 --> 00:04:32.399 I can take no credit for the existence, growth, or health of this fig tree or any of our other houseplants. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:40.239 Now, at one point, the fig tree disappeared for a few months, which was okay with me because Jane gave it away to someone who admired it. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:46.500 But then there was a clearance sale at a garden store and another fig tree showed up. 00:04:47.679 --> 00:04:52.759 Again, I'm not naturally into houseplants, but there wasn't space for anything else in that corner of the living room, 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:54.439 so I had no good reason to object. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:05:01.659 For the last seven years, I have had zero expectation that either of our fig trees 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:04.180 would ever yield any actual figs. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:11.200 After all, some fig trees planted in the ground take eight to ten years before they yield any fruit. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:18.800 And I've always been skeptical of the idea that a fruit-bearing tree could actually exist in our living room. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.400 Until last week. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.740 One evening, Jane asked me, 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:26.300 Did you see the fig tree? 00:05:27.440 --> 00:05:28.200 I said, 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:29.440 What about the fig tree? 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:31.079 She said, 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:32.319 Look at the fig tree. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:34.600 And there they were. 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:40.240 Two little hard green nubs protruding from the branch. 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:43.779 Unmistakably figs. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:49.480 New life and fruit emerging where I never expected to see it. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:57.240 My meager expectations were gloriously surprised by a merciful reality. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:02.259 This morning, I want us to consider two stories from the Gospel of John, 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:04.660 where people are first disappointed, 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:09.900 where their hopeful expectations crash into a harsh reality. 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:13.780 But then, they are gloriously surprised. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:18.860 Their meager expectations are surprised by a merciful reality. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:24.060 The first story we're looking at is the story of Lazarus, which I've read the beginning of. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:30.580 The second is the story of Jesus' own death and resurrection, which we heard earlier in the service. 00:06:30.819 --> 00:06:34.759 The story of Lazarus comes right in the middle of the book of John. 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:41.180 And the story of Jesus' own death and resurrection is the climax and conclusion of the Gospel itself. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:45.199 Now, these stories are connected to each other in a couple of ways. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.800 There's a chronological connection. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:49.280 John tells us in chapter 11, verse 53, 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:55.340 that the raising of Lazarus sets into motion the chain of events that result in Jesus' own execution. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:00.460 But there's also a thematic connection in that the raising of Lazarus from the dead 00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:03.319 is a preview of Jesus' own resurrection from the dead. 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:08.379 And throughout the history of the church, these two stories have been closely connected 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:11.540 and sort of woven together in a variety of ways. 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:14.139 So I want to look at them in parallel this morning. 00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:19.899 So first, let's consider how both of these stories begin with disappointment. 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:23.740 Consider the beginning of the account of Lazarus, right? 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:24.439 What happens? 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:28.659 Well, first thing we learn is that this dear brother, 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:31.480 and most likely he was a relatively young guy, 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:33.640 became seriously ill. 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:37.340 And you know, this isn't just an unknown individual. 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:41.560 Most of the people whom Jesus healed during his earthly ministry, 00:07:41.700 --> 00:07:44.060 their names are not recorded for us. 00:07:44.520 --> 00:07:46.939 But this is someone who Jesus knew well. 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:54.920 Four times this story emphasizes Jesus' particular affection and love for this family, 00:07:55.280 --> 00:07:57.939 for Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:07:59.660 In verse 3, they say, 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:01.360 Lord, the one you love is ill. 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.640 Verse 5, it says, 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:05.040 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:07.220 Verse 11, Jesus calls Lazarus our friend. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:08.040 Verse 36, 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:10.379 though the mourners at his tomb say, 00:08:10.520 --> 00:08:12.960 see how he loved him. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:19.220 You see, these siblings had welcomed Jesus into their house. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.960 They had listened to him teach. 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.600 They had shared meals with him. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:26.280 They had developed an emotional and relational connection with Jesus. 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:33.019 And so they sent a request to Jesus on their brother's behalf when he became seriously ill. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.740 Now, in ancient Middle Eastern culture, 00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:38.079 if you were making a request of an honored person, 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:41.419 you would make your request as indirectly as possible. 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:45.159 And so that's how you showed respect to someone. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:45.860 So they don't say, 00:08:45.979 --> 00:08:46.599 Jesus, come. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:49.319 That would be sort of like ordering him around. 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:51.039 They simply say, 00:08:51.099 --> 00:08:52.319 Lord, the one you love is ill. 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:55.659 They give him all the information he needs to know. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:57.439 But the meaning is very clear. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:02.159 They wouldn't send such a message unless it was an urgent and important need. 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:03.939 The message is come. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.879 But then we hear that Jesus delayed. 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:15.319 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:17.620 So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:20.319 he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:20.719 What? 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:24.399 How does that make any sense? 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:30.399 Why would Jesus delay without any apparent explanation or reason? 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:33.919 Delaying for two whole days would appear to dishonor the family 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.240 and minimize their suffering. 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:39.679 How could Jesus delay be motivated by his love? 00:09:42.439 --> 00:09:44.819 And then we see the perspective of Jesus' disciples, 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.939 starting in verse 7. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:47.139 Two days later, 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.659 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:50.039 Okay, let's head to Judea. 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:54.120 And immediately, his disciples objected 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:56.500 because the last time Jesus was in Judea, 00:09:56.720 --> 00:10:00.279 the religious leaders had concluded that he should be executed. 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:03.500 That he was worthy of death. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:07.500 There was hostility and danger facing him in Judea. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:10.399 And so the disciples pushed back on him. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.240 You know, is it really worth it 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.939 to travel to attend a funeral 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:16.679 if you would be putting your own life 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:18.840 and maybe others' lives around you at risk? 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:20.519 That's a hard question. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:24.079 So the disciples 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:26.860 find all the reasons they can 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.399 to say, 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:28.699 Really? 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:29.940 No, we shouldn't go. 00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:31.320 Until finally, 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.220 Thomas says, 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.560 Okay, let's go with him 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:36.080 so that we'll die with him 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:38.460 rather than leave him alone. 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:41.140 Thomas may have been a pessimist, 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:43.160 but he was not a coward. 00:10:44.420 --> 00:10:45.580 And as we'll see later, 00:10:45.640 --> 00:10:46.920 he was absolutely right 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:49.040 that for Jesus and his disciples, 00:10:49.220 --> 00:10:50.800 going to Lazarus' funeral 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:53.259 meant walking into a dangerous 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:56.379 and legitimately hostile environment. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.819 So Jesus' friend got sick. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.500 Then Jesus delayed with no explanation. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:01.659 Then Jesus' friend died. 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:03.600 Then Jesus intentionally led his disciples 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.279 into a hostile and dangerous environment. 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.659 That's where the story begins. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:09.720 Disappointment 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.860 on all sides. 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:14.220 Hopeful expectations 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.799 crushed by harsh reality. 00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:22.479 Can you identify with 00:11:22.479 --> 00:11:24.699 any of those experiences? 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:27.459 A friend or family member 00:11:27.459 --> 00:11:29.159 becoming seriously ill? 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:30.839 A prayer 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:32.899 that seemingly goes unanswered? 00:11:33.859 --> 00:11:34.979 A loved one 00:11:34.979 --> 00:11:35.719 lost? 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.859 Unexpected hostility? 00:11:39.859 --> 00:11:40.779 Or heightened 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:41.620 danger? 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:46.419 Well, just a week or two later, 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:49.759 Jesus himself would be arrested 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:51.159 and condemned to death, 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.379 mocked and beaten 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:52.980 and crucified, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.700 and you can only imagine 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.360 the disappointment 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.860 that his disciples faced then. 00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.980 Many of them had hoped 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.679 that he would be 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:03.840 the long-awaited Messiah, 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:06.200 the deliverer of Israel. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:07.680 But now he was rejected 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:09.299 by many of Israel's own leaders 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:09.840 and condemned 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.039 by the Roman authorities. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.100 To die a cruel 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:14.480 and shameful death. 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:18.720 How do we respond 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.419 to disappointment 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.940 when hopeful expectations 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:22.539 are crushed 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.080 by harsh reality? 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:27.320 Well, some of Jesus' disciples 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:28.100 responded by 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.600 lashing out at others. 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.060 When Jesus got arrested 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:33.379 in chapter 18, 00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.720 Simon Peter drew his sword 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.480 and struck the high priest's servant 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.700 and cut off his right ear. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:37.759 fear. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.920 Sometimes that's how we deal 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.540 with disappointment 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:44.040 or unmet expectations. 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:45.920 We angrily lash out 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:47.759 at people around us, 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:49.020 even if they may not have been 00:12:49.020 --> 00:12:50.060 the direct cause 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.560 of our disappointment. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.500 The high priest's servant 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.900 certainly was not the ringleader 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:57.140 of the crowd 00:12:57.140 --> 00:12:58.320 that arrested Jesus. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.460 We can lash out with words 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:04.540 or even with physical actions. 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:06.960 During the last year, 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:09.240 instances of uncontrolled rage 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.200 and physical violence 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.620 have significantly increased, 00:13:12.260 --> 00:13:14.240 sometimes with tragic consequences. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.320 You see, 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.200 lashing out in anger 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.659 is a very natural response 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.320 to disappointment, 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.639 but it can cause 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.560 great destruction, 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:24.940 even if it's only 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:27.139 through words 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:29.080 without any physical 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.620 element involved. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:32.759 You know, 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.680 we can also respond 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:34.299 to disappointment 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.600 not by lashing out 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.000 at others, 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.460 but instead by withdrawing 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.399 into ourselves. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.700 And actually, 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:42.960 Peter exemplifies this too. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.600 Just a few hours 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.720 after he had lashed out 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.180 in anger, 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.700 he withdrew in fear. 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.379 When Jesus was on trial, 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.519 it says Peter stood 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.539 in the courtyard 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.560 of the high priest 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.620 warming himself 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:57.220 by a charcoal fire 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:59.240 because it was a cold night. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.560 And then when people 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:02.700 kept on asking him, 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.320 aren't you 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.299 one of Jesus' disciples? 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.460 He kept on pretending 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.899 that he didn't even know 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:10.080 what they were talking about. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:13.779 Of course, 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.439 that's another way 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.279 that we sometimes 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.919 deal with our disappointment, 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:18.000 by withdrawing 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.959 from our responsibilities, 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.559 by retreating 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:23.059 into self-pity, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.740 by prioritizing 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.799 our own comfort 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.699 above all else, 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:31.579 just trying to stay warm. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:34.919 You know, 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:35.480 when you consider 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.319 the disappointments 00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:37.759 that you've experienced 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:40.120 lately, 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:42.320 do you notice 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:43.279 either of both 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.120 of those tendencies? 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.379 Either to lash out 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.799 at others 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.860 or to withdraw 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.019 into yourself. 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.019 You see, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.620 the invitation 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.759 that both of these stories 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.659 extend to us 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:56.080 is instead of doing 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:57.259 either of those things, 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.460 the invitation 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.519 that these stories extend 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.580 is to go to Jesus 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:02.519 and to stay with Jesus 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.799 even in the midst 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.740 of our deepest 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.820 disappointments. 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.820 That's what a small group 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:08.640 of Jesus' followers 00:15:08.640 --> 00:15:09.879 did when he was crucified. 00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:12.100 It's primarily 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.940 a group of women. 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:15.760 John 19, 25 00:15:15.760 --> 00:15:16.120 says, 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.180 Standing by the cross 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:17.560 of Jesus 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.260 were his mother 00:15:18.260 --> 00:15:19.720 and his mother's sister, 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.000 Mary, 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:20.960 the wife of Clopas 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.900 and Mary Magdalene 00:15:21.900 --> 00:15:22.760 and the disciple 00:15:22.760 --> 00:15:23.480 whom he loved. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.480 That's John's way 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.560 of referring to himself, 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:29.600 the author of the gospel, 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.140 the disciple 00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:31.340 whom Jesus loved. 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.820 But these faithful few 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:33.740 saw their Lord 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.320 and teacher 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:35.759 condemned 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.759 and crucified. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.360 They saw him 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.560 take his last breath. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.899 They saw his body 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.960 be wrapped up 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.220 and buried in a tomb. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.540 They didn't understand 00:15:44.540 --> 00:15:46.600 why it was all happening. 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.960 But they stood there. 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.980 They stayed with Jesus 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.480 all the way to the end. 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.620 They watched him. 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:57.019 They listened to his last words. 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.440 That's also what Mary 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:01.220 and Martha did. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.519 In the story of Lazarus, 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.399 when Jesus arrived 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.040 too late 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:06.399 to save their brother 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.700 from dying. 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.899 Verse 20, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.560 When Martha heard 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:11.399 that Jesus was coming, 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.060 she went out 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.920 and met him 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:13.740 even before Jesus 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.500 entered the village. 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.600 Martha said to Jesus, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.180 Lord, if you had been here, 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.019 my brother 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:20.399 would not have died. 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.480 Later on in verse 32, 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.220 her sister Mary 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.660 says exactly the same thing. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.080 Lord, 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.400 if you would have been here, 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:29.720 my brother 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.480 wouldn't have died. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.800 You see, 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.480 Mary and Martha 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.800 brought their disappointment, 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.280 their frustration, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.879 their unmet expectations, 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.259 and unfulfilled longings 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.920 to Jesus, 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:41.460 even when it seemed like 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.160 Jesus might have been 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:42.879 the cause 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:46.000 of those disappointments. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:49.940 they opened up their hearts 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.559 to him. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.720 They lamented the loss 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.620 that they had experienced. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.340 They didn't pretend 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.639 that everything was just okay 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.539 and I'm just fine. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:57.740 And yet, 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.899 they didn't abandon 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.960 their trust in Jesus 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:00.799 even in the middle 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.620 of their disappointment. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.759 Now, 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.339 Mary and Martha 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.380 were quite different 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.619 in their personalities. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.440 Martha was assertive, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.039 active, 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.079 and confrontational. 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.279 So she took initiative, 00:17:13.399 --> 00:17:14.500 she went out to meet Jesus 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.359 and initiated the conversation. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.559 Mary was the opposite. 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.519 She was quiet, 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.299 reflective, 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.279 and responsive. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:24.000 She stayed in the house. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:26.619 But notice how Jesus 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:28.299 engaged Mary and Martha 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:31.180 in such a thoughtful 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.779 and loving way. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.960 He knew each of their, 00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.339 he knew each of them 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.779 in their individual personalities. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.839 Jesus responded to Martha 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.859 by engaging her 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.980 in conversation, 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.960 by telling her 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.879 that one day 00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.879 her brother Lazarus 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.779 would rise again. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.240 And even more than that, 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:49.940 he told her 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.039 that he himself 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.100 was the resurrection 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.840 and the life. 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.240 He challenged 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.480 and comforted Martha 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.840 with bold claims 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:59.220 and precious truths. 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.740 But with Mary, 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.320 Jesus took 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:03.900 a different approach. 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.420 In verse 28, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:08.059 Jesus specifically asked 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.420 to see Mary. 00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.220 Martha was the one 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.039 who had come out to him. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.600 They had a conversation 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.480 outside the village. 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.980 And then Jesus 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.519 specifically asked for Mary. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.480 You see, 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.759 Jesus sees us 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.360 in our disappointments. 00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:25.940 Even if nobody else does. 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:29.580 Even if we don't reach out to him, 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:32.299 he reaches out to us. 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.180 When we are quietly suffering, 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.660 when we are emotionally fragile, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:40.200 Jesus does not overlook us. 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.559 And he does not ignore us. 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.600 In love, 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.360 he takes initiative 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.620 to come and find us 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.899 and to draw us out 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:49.459 and to listen to us. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.439 And that's what Jesus does 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:52.519 when Mary comes to Jesus. 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.459 He doesn't say a lot. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.239 He just asks, 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:58.739 where's the grave? 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.859 So he can go and weep 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.619 with her there. 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.339 In the face of death, 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:07.500 Jesus felt grief 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.599 and outrage 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.379 and compassion 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.539 all at the same time. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.679 Jesus felt for her 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.939 and he felt with her. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.980 You see, 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.960 Jesus meets us 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:17.740 in the midst of our disappointments. 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:20.039 And even when we don't understand 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.660 his ways 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.460 and even when 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:22.700 our disappointments 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.779 seem to be caused 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.700 by his own sovereign decisions, 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.740 he summons us 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.700 to go to him 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.779 and stay with him. 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:33.840 That's where both of these stories begin. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.039 With great disappointment. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:39.079 But that's not where 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:40.519 both of these stories end. 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.420 Because both of these stories 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:44.319 end in a glorious surprise. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.759 And what we see 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.680 in both of these stories 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.379 is that everyone 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.700 who goes to Jesus 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.879 and stays with Jesus 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:53.220 through their disappointments 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:56.819 is gloriously surprised 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:57.980 by Jesus in the end. 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.379 Verse 38 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:03.579 of chapter 11, 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.599 then Jesus, 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.700 deeply moved again, 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.980 came to the tomb of Lazarus. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:10.039 It was a cave 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:12.059 and a stone lay against it. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.539 Jesus said, 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.440 take away the stone. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.120 Martha, 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.740 the sister of the dead man, 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.360 said to him, 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.240 Lord, 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.740 by this time 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.559 there will be an odor 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.120 for he has been dead 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:25.860 for days. 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.220 You see, 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.080 nobody 00:20:29.080 --> 00:20:30.400 was expecting 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.100 Jesus 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:32.360 to raise 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.140 Lazarus 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:34.259 from the dead. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.779 not even 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.440 energetic 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.500 go-getter Martha 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.779 who had just 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.700 proclaimed her faith 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.119 that Jesus 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:41.519 was the son of God 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.180 who had come 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:42.920 into the world. 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:43.859 Now, 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.099 like most other Jews 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.839 in her time, 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.759 Martha believed 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.879 that at the end 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.660 of history 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.940 all the righteous, 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.059 God would raise 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.980 the righteous dead 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.619 to life 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:55.720 at the end of time. 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.079 Including her brother. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.640 But Martha 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.599 wasn't expecting 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.480 a preview 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.480 of that day 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.380 right in front 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.180 of her eyes. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.500 Martha knew 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.319 that dead bodies 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.059 normally start 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:08.000 to decompose 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.400 and stink 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:11.000 after just 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.960 two or three days. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.140 And this is day four. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.620 You see, 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.039 in the ancient 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.680 Jewish culture, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.259 they didn't 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.059 embalm 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.960 dead bodies 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.620 in order to 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.319 try to 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.799 slow the process 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.259 of decay. 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:22.539 No, 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.019 they simply 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.940 washed the body, 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.120 sometimes anointed it 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.220 with oil or spices, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.400 and then wrapped it 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.519 in a large sheet 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.920 with a cloth 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.720 over the face 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.940 and the hands 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.360 and feet 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:33.079 bound. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.680 And then they 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.079 would place 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.480 the body 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.039 in a tomb 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.140 and then a year 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.579 later, 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.720 after the body 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.299 was completely 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:39.860 decayed 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.500 and only bones 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.019 were left, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.759 the family 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.240 would come 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.720 and retrieve 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.220 the bones 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.779 and bury them 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.460 somewhere else 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.600 so that the tomb 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:46.559 could be reused 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.279 for someone else. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:47.740 That was the 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.519 normal procedure 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.920 of burial 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.900 in those days. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.299 But Jesus 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.799 had come 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.500 into the world 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:56.519 to do something 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.660 that was not 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.420 just normal. 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.960 Jesus had come 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.600 into the world 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.180 to reverse 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.860 the cycle 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.480 of sin 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.200 and death 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.860 and display 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.480 the glory 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.480 and life-giving 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:05.960 power 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.860 of the creator 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.700 God himself. 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:10.400 In John chapter 10, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.299 Jesus said this, 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.380 the thief 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.240 comes 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.180 to steal 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.140 and kill 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.120 and destroy. 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.319 I came 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.819 that they may 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.480 have life 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.460 and have it 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.180 abundantly. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.960 I am the good shepherd. 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.180 The sheep hear 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.120 the shepherd's voice 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:24.700 and the shepherd 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.779 calls his own sheep 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.380 by name 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.519 and leads them out. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.559 And that's exactly 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.600 what Jesus does here. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.500 Jesus cried out 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.740 with a loud voice, 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.500 Lazarus, 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.420 come out! 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.559 The good shepherd 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:39.500 calling one of his 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.920 own sheep 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.400 by name. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.920 And then verse 44, 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.559 it says, 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.380 the man who had died 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:45.019 came out, 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.980 his hands and feet 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.420 bound with linen strips 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.740 and his face 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.299 wrapped with a cloth. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.660 He was probably 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.460 awkwardly shuffling, 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.240 blindly feeling 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.400 his way along, 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.640 but most definitely 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.960 he was alive 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.480 again. 00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:04.080 Consider how surprising 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.580 that would have been 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:07.120 for all involved. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.660 Right? 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.280 Mary and Martha 00:23:09.280 --> 00:23:10.080 had sent to Jesus 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:11.019 in their time of need. 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.640 They might have been 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.060 puzzled, 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:12.800 even troubled 00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:14.180 by his delay 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.740 or seeming reluctance 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.860 to respond promptly 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.620 to their request, 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.220 but then they were 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.500 gloriously surprised 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.600 by a deeper 00:23:20.600 --> 00:23:21.519 understanding 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.740 of Jesus' character 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:24.380 because they saw 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.500 that Jesus not only 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.079 had power 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.960 to heal people 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.740 from sickness, 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.720 but he even 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.400 had the power 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:31.059 to call the dead 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.579 to life. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.380 You see, 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.000 when we stay 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.480 with Jesus 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.660 through our disappointment, 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:37.039 we often end up 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.740 with a clearer 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.859 and more profound 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.079 vision of his character 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:41.019 in the end. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.599 Or consider 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.220 the experience 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.019 of Lazarus. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.859 Perhaps he had hoped 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.779 that Jesus would arrive 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.940 in time to heal him 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.440 or at least 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.380 to have a parting visit 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.900 with him. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.980 But he felt his life 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.680 ebbing away 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:55.620 and Jesus never came. 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.960 But then the next thing 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.460 he heard 00:23:58.460 --> 00:24:00.420 was Jesus' own voice 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:02.080 calling him by name 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:03.080 and raising him 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.860 to life again. 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.660 And that's the promise 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:07.500 that the Bible extends 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.500 to everyone 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:10.580 who believes in Jesus. 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:13.140 That after we die, 00:24:14.260 --> 00:24:15.180 that the next voice 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.820 we will hear 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:17.620 is the voice of Jesus 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.820 calling us by our name 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:20.539 and calling us 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.139 to himself. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.559 You see, 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:25.059 what a glorious surprise 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.179 for those who had experienced 00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:27.279 such deep disappointment. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:28.980 Now, 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.240 I want to pause a moment 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.379 because I want to address 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.799 the question 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.419 that I'm sure 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.220 some of you are thinking. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.659 Which is, 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.779 okay, 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.659 that's an interesting story. 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:40.759 Is there any reason 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.220 to believe 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.899 that such things 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.679 actually happened? 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.359 I mean, 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.179 this is more than 00:24:45.179 --> 00:24:45.700 a report 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.259 of a near-death experience. 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:49.579 I don't know about you, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:51.000 but over the years 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.700 I've had a handful 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.440 or two of people 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.119 who have told me 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.720 that they have 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.779 literally died 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.400 and come back to life. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.779 Most of them 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.000 I didn't know very well, 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.859 so it has honestly 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.619 been hard for me 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.879 to evaluate their claims. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.339 But none of them 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.700 claimed to have been dead 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.920 for four days straight. 00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:12.079 It was almost always 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.980 a few hours 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.440 and maybe they were 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.180 already in a coma 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.879 in the ICU 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.200 or something like that. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.840 Maybe a day. 00:25:20.760 --> 00:25:21.760 Never four. 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:23.120 Right? 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.420 After four 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.280 it's pretty clear. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.660 So, 00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:29.360 what do we make 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:29.920 of this story? 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.840 Because it's claiming 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.840 something pretty bold. 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:34.960 You know, 00:25:35.020 --> 00:25:36.040 many modern skeptics 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:36.560 assume 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:38.160 that the miracle stories 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.880 in the New Testament 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.080 simply couldn't have happened. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:42.240 but 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.819 many of the earliest 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:46.119 opponents of Christianity 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:47.159 did not share 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.899 that assumption. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.199 So, 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.199 some of the earliest 00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:51.740 opponents of Christianity 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.939 accused Jesus 00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:54.119 of practicing 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.240 evil magic 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.539 in order to 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.879 lead people astray. 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.199 So, 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.879 this accusation 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.519 comes up in the 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.019 writings of 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.899 Celsus, 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.939 a second century 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.699 pagan opponent 00:26:03.699 --> 00:26:04.359 of Christianity 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:05.059 as well as in 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.819 the Jewish Talmud. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.119 the New Testament 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.679 Gospels 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.480 also record 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.179 Jesus' opponents 00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:09.939 making similar 00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.539 accusations 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.500 on multiple 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.039 occasions. 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.319 But notice, 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.460 all these 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.599 early opponents 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.439 of Christianity 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.700 did not deny 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.559 that Jesus 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.240 did miracles. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:23.500 they did not 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.039 deny that 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.420 Jesus had 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:24.759 healed the 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:24.940 sick 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.339 or even 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:25.740 raised the 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.039 dead to 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.380 life. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.759 In fact, 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.880 they implicitly 00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.720 admitted it. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.259 They admitted 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.859 that he had 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.160 done 00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.519 marvelous deeds, 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.059 things that 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.599 were not 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.200 normally 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.079 explainable, 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.740 that he had 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.180 exhibited 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.660 supernatural 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.359 powers. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.279 They didn't 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.839 question that 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.259 at all. 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.519 They simply 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.140 accused him 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.620 of getting 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:43.180 his supernatural 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.940 powers 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.799 from evil 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.480 forces 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.279 rather than 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.400 from God. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.720 So, 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.220 if even 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.519 Jesus' 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.180 opponents 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.960 acknowledged 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.740 his miracles, 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.460 perhaps we 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:54.820 shouldn't be 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.340 so quick 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.240 to simply 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.759 dismiss 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.900 the possibility. 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.460 Now, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.000 other people 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.480 in the modern 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.480 world have 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.980 been skeptical 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.580 of this 00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:04.140 story in 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.600 particular 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:08.380 for the 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.960 reason that 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.640 it is only 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.600 recorded in 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.000 John, 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.240 which is the 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.960 last of the 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.640 four Gospels 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.200 to be written. 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.080 Lazarus isn't 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.820 even named 00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.360 in Matthew, 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:17.680 Mark, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.120 or Luke. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.259 And so, 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.860 some scholars 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:21.000 say this 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.619 indicates 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.380 that this 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:22.819 story was 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.319 made up 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:24.480 long after 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.059 the fact 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.400 it's just 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.000 a legend. 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.619 However, 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.380 if this 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.500 story actually 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.759 happened the 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.319 way John 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:34.960 says it did, 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.339 there's a very 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.980 good reason 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.819 why it would 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.619 not have been 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.839 included in the 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.500 earliest New 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.339 Testament Gospels, 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.119 and it's this. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.259 After Jesus 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.180 raised Lazarus 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.819 from the dead, 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.079 Lazarus 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.179 immediately became 00:27:48.179 --> 00:27:48.839 a wanted 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.259 man. 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.419 John 12 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:51.879 verse 10 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.299 says, 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.099 the chief 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.579 priests 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.679 made plans 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.059 to put 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.579 Lazarus 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.000 to death 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.740 as well 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.539 because on 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.980 account of 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.299 him, 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.299 many people 00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.759 were going 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.399 away and 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.139 believing in 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:01.439 Jesus. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.139 Now, 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.779 Lazarus lived 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.319 in Bethany, 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.079 just two 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.059 miles outside 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.839 of Jerusalem, 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.039 where Jesus 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.659 himself 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:10.439 was killed. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:12.320 And if 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:12.680 Lazarus 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.420 continued to 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.860 live there, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.360 which we 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:14.799 assume he 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.200 would have, 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.500 his story 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.100 could not 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.580 have been 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.600 publicly and 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.700 widely proclaimed 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.559 in the local 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.600 area without 00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.240 at the same 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.779 time putting 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.299 him, as 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.759 well as his 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.120 sisters, 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.140 in grave 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.920 danger from 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.519 both Jewish 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.299 and Roman 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.299 opponents of 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:28.740 the early 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.160 Christian 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.640 movement. 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.759 According to 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.180 the book of 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.559 Acts, the 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.200 first Christian 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.680 martyr, 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.080 first Christian 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.680 who was killed 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.120 for his 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.120 profession of 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.380 faith, 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.980 was Stephen, 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.500 and he was 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.100 killed in 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:38.500 Jerusalem. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.019 You see, 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.720 Jerusalem was 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.619 not exactly 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.720 a safe space 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.279 for the 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.940 early Christians. 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.819 So the 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.379 Christians in 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:46.940 Jerusalem had 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.500 to be very 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.240 careful who 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.779 they put 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.039 forward as 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.119 public witnesses 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:52.379 in order to 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:54.279 avoid unnecessarily 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.559 exposing some 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.160 of their key 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.059 members to 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.839 mortal danger. 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.339 Now, 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.900 most scholars 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.339 think that 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.099 Mark was the 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.639 first of the 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.099 New Testament 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.819 Gospels to be 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.400 written, and 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:04.680 Luke and 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.220 Matthew build 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.759 off Mark 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.079 to some 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.559 extent, 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.639 and that 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.079 Mark's 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.859 narrative of 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.559 the events 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.859 surrounding 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.179 Jesus' 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.059 crucifixion and 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.539 resurrection 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.720 was built 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.059 from an 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.839 earlier narrative 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.359 and what 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.700 had been 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.379 handed down 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:16.919 and what 00:29:16.919 --> 00:29:17.500 was publicly 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.379 read and 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.179 commonly told 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:19.779 within the 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.259 church in 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.679 Jerusalem. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.980 So in that 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.899 case, it 00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.299 wouldn't be 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.159 surprising at 00:29:26.159 --> 00:29:27.480 all that 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.159 Lazarus is 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:28.779 not named 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.159 in the 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:30.039 earlier Gospels. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.039 God's 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.039 name. 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.559 Because if 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.079 they named 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.399 him, if 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:34.639 they were 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.139 publicly 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:36.399 proclaiming 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.000 his story 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.159 to anyone 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.960 and everyone 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.619 and everywhere, 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.599 that would 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.059 immediately put 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.559 him in grave 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:43.099 danger, as 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.440 well as his 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.779 family. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.819 There are 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.500 other examples, 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:46.940 by the way, 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.500 that fit this 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.119 pattern, too. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.720 In fact, there 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.539 are three other 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.559 instances during 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.399 the events leading 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:51.960 up to Jesus' 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.819 crucifixion and 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.359 resurrection, 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.180 three other 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.859 sort of sensitive 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.500 incidents, 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.579 where Mark 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.200 describes an 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.440 action anonymously, 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:00.360 but John tells 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.799 us who did 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:00.980 it. 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.539 One of those 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.180 is when Peter 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.279 hacks off the 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.000 ear of the 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.519 high priest's 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.779 servant. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.440 Mark doesn't 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.940 tell us either 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.480 of their names. 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.120 John tells us 00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.519 both of their 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:09.860 names. 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.320 And again, 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.720 one of those 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.500 incidents that, 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.519 if you were 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.480 named publicly, 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.500 could have got 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.820 you into 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:18.160 trouble. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.340 By the time 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.820 John was 00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.400 writing later 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.840 in the first 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:23.279 century, at 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.640 least two 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.019 things had 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.340 changed. 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.940 Number one, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.779 the temple in 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.360 Jerusalem had 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:26.960 been destroyed 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.920 in 70 A.D. 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.519 and that 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.039 changed the 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.640 religious power 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.180 structure in 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.519 the city. 00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:32.220 Second, most 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.039 likely Lazarus 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.279 would have 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.060 died of 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:34.720 natural causes 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.140 by this 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.460 time. 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.600 So either 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.039 way, when 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.420 John was 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.840 writing, there 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.039 would have 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.360 been no 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.060 further need 00:30:39.060 --> 00:30:39.779 to protect 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.700 him from 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.400 harm by 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:41.920 keeping his 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.380 story on 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.720 the down 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:42.900 low. 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.440 The point 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:46.940 is, just 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.460 because this 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.080 story only 00:30:48.080 --> 00:30:48.620 appears in 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.759 John, that's 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.400 no reason to 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.360 believe that it 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:51.740 was merely 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.300 invented, or 00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:54.120 a legend 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.220 invented long 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.620 after the 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:55.920 fact. 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.460 One final 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.880 detail, in 00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:00.480 1887, archaeologists 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.180 found a 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.720 first century 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.460 burial cave 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.880 near the 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.220 town of 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:04.700 Bethany with 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.220 the names 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.559 Mary, Martha, 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.559 and Eleazar 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.660 inscribed on 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:08.759 it. 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.340 Lazarus is 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:09.720 simply the 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.559 Greek form 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.460 of the 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.200 Hebrew name 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:12.720 Eleazar. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.759 Mary, Martha, 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.380 Eleazar. 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.400 Now, that in 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.059 itself doesn't 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:18.460 prove that the 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.160 story happened, 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.100 but it does 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:21.720 demonstrate that 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.360 the details, 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.600 the names, 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.640 the location, 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.500 the burial 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.619 customs, all 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.759 of those are 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.259 entirely 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.759 plausible. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.519 But you 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:31.759 know, the 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.500 greatest miracle 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.000 that the New 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.960 Testament records 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.160 is not the 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.640 raising of 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.579 Lazarus, who 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:36.900 would one 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.319 day die 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.819 again, but 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.339 the story of 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:39.859 Lazarus only 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.700 points forward 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.059 toward the 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.859 greater miracle 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.619 of the 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.359 resurrection of 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.759 Jesus, who 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.240 was raised 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.519 from the 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.460 dead, never 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.339 to die 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:46.980 again. 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:48.819 And again, 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.500 after the 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.480 great disappointment 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.220 of Jesus being 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.240 crucified, the 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.980 resurrection was 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.519 a complete 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:55.339 surprise to 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.380 every last 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:56.960 one of 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.240 Jesus' 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:57.940 followers. 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.599 None of 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.000 them were 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.740 expecting it. 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.299 Notice how 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.960 they reacted. 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.819 In that story 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:05.099 we read earlier 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.599 from John 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.240 chapter 20, 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.839 the first 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.360 person who 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.819 goes to the 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.339 tomb is Mary 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.880 Magdalene. 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.420 She was one 00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:10.819 of the women 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.319 who had stayed 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.920 with Jesus to 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.420 the end, who 00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:12.960 had seen him 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:15.319 die and be 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:15.660 buried. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.440 And when she 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:17.980 came to the 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.099 tomb early on 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.759 Sunday morning 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.440 and found it 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.420 empty, she did 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.039 not immediately 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.819 conclude that 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.279 Jesus had been 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.700 resurrected. 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.480 She didn't 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.639 say, oh yes, 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.319 this is what we 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.000 were hoping and 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.599 dreaming all 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.180 along, our 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.619 dreams have 00:32:29.619 --> 00:32:30.460 now come true. 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.159 No. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.519 She ran 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.460 away completely 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.259 distraught. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.759 She thought that 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.139 someone had 00:32:39.139 --> 00:32:40.480 stolen Jesus' 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.579 body and 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.079 carried it 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.339 away. 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.960 They've taken 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.539 the Lord out 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:43.940 of the tomb 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.379 and we don't 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.639 know where 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.159 they played 00:32:45.159 --> 00:32:45.440 him. 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.659 It was only 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.940 later on when 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.519 Jesus appeared 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.000 to her in 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.139 person and 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.700 called her by 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.620 her name that 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.340 she recognized 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:53.759 him as the 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.559 resurrected Lord. 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.880 Of course, the 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.539 next person who 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.460 sees the empty 00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.400 tomb was Simon 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.539 Peter and 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.000 John, the 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.480 disciple whom 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.120 Jesus loved. 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.080 And Peter 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:03.860 noticed a 00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.860 fascinating detail. 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.420 The linen 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.980 cloths that 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.880 Jesus' body had 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.559 been wrapped in 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.519 were lying there 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.460 and the face 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.180 cloth which had 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:12.720 been on Jesus' 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.700 head was folded 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.620 up in a place 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.279 by itself. 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:15.960 You see, this is 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.819 one of the main 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.680 differences between 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.460 Lazarus who was 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.319 resuscitated and 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:19.880 Jesus who was 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.360 resurrected. 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.979 You see, unlike 00:33:21.979 --> 00:33:22.779 Lazarus, Jesus 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.619 did not come out 00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:24.119 of the tomb 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.500 awkwardly shuffling 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.459 and blindly 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:27.240 feeling his way 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.679 along. 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.819 No, God had 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.419 raised Jesus 00:33:30.419 --> 00:33:30.979 from the dead 00:33:30.979 --> 00:33:32.359 never to die 00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:32.919 again. 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.659 His body that 00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:34.259 was crucified 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:36.159 was decisively 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:38.500 transformed into 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.240 a new and 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.039 glorious body. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.479 It's as if 00:33:41.479 --> 00:33:42.299 Jesus got up 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.079 and left his 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.779 grave clothes 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:45.019 behind like a 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.799 caterpillar that 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.379 has turned into 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:46.939 a butterfly, 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:47.799 leaves its 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.679 cocoon behind. 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:51.140 He neatly 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.779 folded his 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.880 laundry and 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.360 went on his 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:54.940 way as the 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.779 triumphant king 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.980 who had once 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.720 for all conquered 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.420 sin and death. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.900 And then later 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.860 on in chapter 20, 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.940 Thomas comes on 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.200 the scene. 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.019 Remember Thomas? 00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:05.400 The coward, 00:34:05.580 --> 00:34:06.440 not coward, 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.039 the courageous 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:07.740 pessimist? 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.860 Everything's going 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.360 to go wrong, 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:09.820 but I'll stick 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.300 with you to the 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.820 end anyway. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.760 Well, guess what? 00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:15.260 When the other 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.440 disciples had seen 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.159 the risen Jesus, 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.339 Thomas says, 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.699 I won't believe 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.339 it till I see 00:34:20.339 --> 00:34:20.579 it. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.679 Here's the 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:24.899 point. 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.099 The early 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.559 Christians, 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.519 none of them, 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:28.379 they were not a 00:34:28.379 --> 00:34:29.359 bunch of naive 00:34:29.359 --> 00:34:30.139 and gullible people 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.599 who were just 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.179 about to believe 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.539 anything. 00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.819 But they became 00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.299 convinced. 00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:35.859 They were not 00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:36.599 expecting to be 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.559 gloriously surprised 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:38.219 on that first 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:39.039 Easter morning, 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.940 but Jesus broke 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.879 through their 00:34:40.879 --> 00:34:42.000 meager expectations 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.399 and surprised 00:34:43.399 --> 00:34:44.199 them with his 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:45.480 merciful reality. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:48.300 Now, these 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.719 days, Jesus 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.340 isn't making 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.240 physical appearances 00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:52.179 on earth, 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:52.659 not in the 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.159 same way that 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:53.880 he was in the 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.760 40 days after 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.780 his resurrection, 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.539 but let me tell 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.039 you this. 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.940 Jesus still 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.119 breaks through 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:00.980 our meager 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.800 expectations 00:35:01.800 --> 00:35:03.179 with his 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:04.420 merciful reality. 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:07.019 Jesus still 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.019 gloriously 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:09.659 surprises us. 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.460 As you look 00:35:12.460 --> 00:35:13.119 back on your 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:14.280 darkest days 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.280 and on your 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:15.580 deepest 00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:16.480 disappointments, 00:35:17.100 --> 00:35:18.420 can you see 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.160 the light of 00:35:19.160 --> 00:35:20.000 Jesus breaking 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:21.420 through to meet 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.600 you in unexpected 00:35:22.600 --> 00:35:23.220 ways? 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:26.100 You see, quite 00:35:26.100 --> 00:35:27.160 often Jesus first 00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.940 brings us to a 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.620 place of 00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.200 disappointment 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:30.540 where our 00:35:30.540 --> 00:35:31.380 hopeful or 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.200 perhaps naive 00:35:32.200 --> 00:35:33.060 expectations 00:35:33.060 --> 00:35:34.980 crash into a 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:35.720 harsh reality. 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.680 But in that 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.400 very place of 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:38.900 disappointment 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:40.260 and anguish 00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:41.420 and even death, 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.860 he calls us to 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:44.440 himself, to go 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.280 to him, to 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.019 stay with him, 00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:46.820 and he doesn't 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.880 end there because 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.740 he continues to 00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:50.079 bring life out of 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.280 death and glorious 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:52.980 surprise out of 00:35:52.980 --> 00:35:53.620 deep disappointment. 00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:56.180 Friends, this is 00:35:56.180 --> 00:35:56.880 what Easter is all 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:58.880 about, that everyone 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.880 who goes to Jesus 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.620 and stays with 00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:02.019 Jesus through 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.740 their disappointment 00:36:02.740 --> 00:36:04.280 will be gloriously 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:05.059 surprised in the 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.320 end. 00:36:05.320 --> 00:36:06.920 Let us pray. 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:22.660 Father God, we 00:36:22.660 --> 00:36:23.260 thank you for the 00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:26.400 honesty of your 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.220 disciples that we 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:28.980 read about in the 00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:32.099 Bible, for Mary 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.599 and Martha's 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.820 honesty in going to 00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:35.320 you with their 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.559 disappointments and 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:39.700 laments, for the 00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.280 honesty of the 00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:41.840 disciples in voicing 00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:43.100 their skepticism 00:36:43.100 --> 00:36:44.500 and hesitation 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:46.240 when they first 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:48.900 saw the empty 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:50.820 tomb or encountered 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.920 you, their 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.519 risen Lord. 00:36:54.280 --> 00:36:55.380 Lord, give us the 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.440 courage to come to 00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:56.980 you honestly. 00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:01.420 We pray that as 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:03.579 they did, pray that 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:04.660 we would take 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:06.240 seriously their 00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:07.720 testimony and the 00:37:07.720 --> 00:37:08.500 testimony of 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.960 Christian believers 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.579 through the ages 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:12.440 that you are the 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.920 God of glorious 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.440 surprises. 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.880 Lord, we pray that 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:19.199 we would draw near 00:37:19.199 --> 00:37:19.759 to you in our 00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:20.360 disappointments. 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:21.019 We pray that you 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.659 would gloriously 00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:22.579 surprise us with 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.679 your merciful reality, 00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:24.699 that you would 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:26.960 break through our 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:29.239 limited and meager 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:30.579 expectations of you, 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:33.779 that we would 00:37:33.779 --> 00:37:34.420 experience your 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.319 life-giving power 00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:37.639 in our souls, in our 00:37:37.639 --> 00:37:38.299 bodies, in our 00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:39.340 lives, in our 00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:42.240 relationships, and 00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:42.900 that we might carry 00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:45.400 that with us into 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:47.400 the world and 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.039 wherever we go. 00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:49.740 We pray this in 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.260 Jesus' name. 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.180 Amen.