WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.780 Okay, well, death. 00:00:05.660 --> 00:00:07.160 It's a stark word, isn't it? 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:14.140 And bitter experience forces everyone to recognize that stark reality, 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:16.059 recognize that awfulness. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:19.039 The statistics are brutal. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:22.039 One out of one dies. 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:29.000 Now, instinctively, we move away from death, don't we? 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:31.879 We tend to move away from any notion of death, 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:34.399 and we move towards notions of life. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:37.859 In fact, I think if you scratch below the surface, 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:41.299 most people develop a way of thinking about death 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:46.140 as a necessity which allows enjoyment of life. 00:00:48.740 --> 00:00:51.439 And I think the problem is largely driven by relationships. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.879 Parents, children, siblings, friends. 00:00:55.880 --> 00:00:59.359 We really value relationships. 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:04.079 We would do anything to maintain relationships, 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:11.520 but constantly they're being ripped away from us by death, 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:13.480 whether that death comes through illness, 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:16.180 accident suddenly, 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:18.599 or simple old age. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:26.599 There's never a moment where we're ready to give up those relationships into death. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:29.579 We're horrified. 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:30.819 We're traumatized. 00:01:32.179 --> 00:01:33.939 We sense that this is not right. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:37.619 We sense that we're made for something better, 00:01:37.979 --> 00:01:38.879 something more permanent. 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:42.359 We long for something better. 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:49.359 And angrily, sometimes, we wonder why it has to happen 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:53.799 and wish something could be done to prevent it. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:57.000 We actually want to defy death, 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:59.060 but no, we can't. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:04.340 In spite of our efforts to look young or extend our lives, 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:06.159 death catches up. 00:02:08.640 --> 00:02:10.819 And so I think what we do in our society 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:13.580 is default to the next best thing. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:16.840 We avoid talking about it. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:18.379 And so traditionally, 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:23.439 death has been one of those impolite subjects at a dinner party. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:27.199 Even when we have to talk about death, 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:28.020 and sometimes we do, 00:02:28.359 --> 00:02:31.939 we tend to sanitize the notion of death these days in our society. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:35.359 We sanitize the reality by saying that someone has passed. 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:37.840 When's the last time you heard of somebody dying? 00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:39.840 People today just pass. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:41.360 I'm not sure where they're passing to, 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.219 but that's the language. 00:02:44.579 --> 00:02:45.879 It seems to soften it. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:49.300 Funerals are increasingly given over totally 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:52.819 to a celebration of the life of the person who's passed. 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:54.959 Now, there's nothing wrong with celebrating the life, 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.039 but somehow these celebrations are now dominating, 00:02:58.219 --> 00:02:59.479 and there's no time given 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:03.799 to consider the stark reality of that body 00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:06.400 before friends and family. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:11.000 And the termination of relationships 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.759 that's represented in that body 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:15.060 before the family and friends. 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:20.060 No amount of celebration can really offset that. 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:26.259 And then again, changing direction slightly, 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:28.219 we all want to know how a story ends. 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:30.599 We like to watch a movie to the completion. 00:03:30.799 --> 00:03:34.939 We follow scandals through the newspapers to completion. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.919 And no less do we desire to know 00:03:38.919 --> 00:03:41.340 how our own personal story is going to end. 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:47.659 And so, in our society, 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:50.620 some, perhaps even increasingly so, I think, 00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:53.000 turn to fortune tellers and mystics. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:57.560 Increasingly common also in our society. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:01.819 People just assume a view of what happens after death 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:03.439 without really thinking it through. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:05.859 So, you'll hear people commonly talk today 00:04:05.859 --> 00:04:07.419 about reincarnation. 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:09.300 And I'm thinking, really? 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:12.159 Do you know what goes around all that? 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.159 Or some people will just say, 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:16.300 well, after death there's nothingness, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:16.980 there's oblivion. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.060 Well, how have you come to that conclusion? 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:22.879 Or people commonly say, 00:04:22.939 --> 00:04:24.920 well, I'm going to be resurrected and go to heaven 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:27.220 because I'm basically a good person, 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:28.779 at least better than those people over there. 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:32.259 And sometimes even we talk about hell. 00:04:32.739 --> 00:04:34.539 We talk about hell in a way 00:04:34.539 --> 00:04:37.599 that has sort of domesticated it. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:39.559 We're in hell as now a place of fun. 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:40.899 And if I end up in hell, 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:42.559 well, I'll be there with all my mates. 00:04:42.659 --> 00:04:44.579 It'll be a romping old party. 00:04:48.899 --> 00:04:49.819 But you know what? 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:51.799 When you scratch below the surface, 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:54.879 in spite of all these strategies to deal with death, 00:04:55.619 --> 00:04:57.199 so many people still fear it. 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:01.599 So many people still fear death. 00:05:05.299 --> 00:05:07.219 Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:09.319 Won't hold it at bay. 00:05:10.179 --> 00:05:12.239 Won't make it any easier when the moment comes. 00:05:15.119 --> 00:05:18.159 And that, if you need a reason this morning, 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:19.519 tune into what the Bible said. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:22.699 And that is why we need to listen 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:25.699 to the words of Jesus in this passage before us. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:28.899 Because the words of Jesus 00:05:28.899 --> 00:05:33.139 promise a good end to our personal story. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:39.860 Jesus doesn't avoid the reality of death. 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:42.659 He feels it deeply. 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:44.419 We'll see that in the passage. 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:50.980 But he promises to move us through death to life. 00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:53.580 That's his passion. 00:05:54.020 --> 00:05:54.939 That's his mission. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:58.600 To move people from death to life. 00:05:58.960 --> 00:06:00.560 He promises life everlasting. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:03.580 The good life that we long for 00:06:03.580 --> 00:06:05.860 every time we go to a funeral. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:09.259 The life we since were created for. 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:14.280 He promises that to any and all 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:15.600 who believe or trust in him. 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:17.340 So with that introduction, 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:19.819 let's turn to the story. 00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:22.879 One of these stories in which the truth 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.759 is a sight more strange than fiction. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:30.000 One of these stories in which the truth 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:30.399 is a story of Jesus. 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:31.519 One of these stories in which the truth 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:32.039 is a story of Jesus. 00:06:32.039 --> 00:06:32.519 One of these stories in which the truth 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:32.639 is a story of Jesus. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:33.959 And if you're a visitor this morning 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.060 and not familiar with it, 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:36.139 the outline of what I'm saying 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:37.079 is on the back of that sheet 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.180 you get given at the front door 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:39.439 as you came in this morning 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:40.139 or should have been given. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:41.800 So I want to walk through 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:42.719 the first part of the story 00:06:42.719 --> 00:06:43.360 under the heading 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:47.519 of words speak louder than actions. 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:50.379 Words speaking louder than actions. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:52.680 And I'm using that heading 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.800 because I'm hoping it will actually 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.579 help us avoid tripping up 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:57.420 on a couple of real problems 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:58.840 in the story early on. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:06:59.759 Because there's a couple 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:00.900 of really jarring moments 00:07:00.900 --> 00:07:02.460 in this story as it unfolds. 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:04.400 And those jarring moments 00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:05.079 if we trip on them 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:05.840 will cause us to miss 00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:07.600 the big point of the picture 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:09.259 or the big point of the drama altogether. 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:10.680 So here we go. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:14.139 Jesus is in a region called Batanea 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:16.120 which is up in the northwest of Palestine. 00:07:16.280 --> 00:07:17.600 About four days travel 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:20.220 from Bethany where these guys live. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:23.400 And the story 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:25.560 at a big picture level 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:27.340 develops really, really slowly 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:29.760 over a minimum of six days. 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:31.980 Now that slowness I think 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:32.760 is pretty incredible 00:07:32.760 --> 00:07:35.140 given that the story starts 00:07:35.140 --> 00:07:36.600 with Jesus getting the message 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:37.880 that nobody wants to get. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:42.820 His good friend from a family 00:07:42.820 --> 00:07:44.580 he was obviously very close to 00:07:44.580 --> 00:07:45.800 was ill. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:47.700 Now the word there is ill. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:48.940 It doesn't mean he just had a headache 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.300 or a bit of an upset stomach. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:52.899 It means he was seriously ill. 00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:54.040 He was at death's door 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:55.300 and deteriorating. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:02.180 And this messenger arrives 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:05.879 and the news was already there 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:07.000 for four days old 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:08.959 when Jesus got it. 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.519 And so with the message 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.220 we get no trouble I think 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:16.079 sensing the desperate hope 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:18.519 that was attached 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.120 to that message 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:20.039 by the two sisters. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.319 They would have known 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:27.219 of Jesus' miraculous power 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:29.719 intervening and reversing 00:08:29.719 --> 00:08:31.099 other similar situations. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:34.779 And so their hope 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:36.460 attached to this message 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.019 was that just perhaps 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:38.500 in some 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:40.460 I don't know what way 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:41.360 Mary and Martha might have thought 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:41.620 just 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:43.659 maybe Jesus can do something. 00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:45.000 maybe he can intervene 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.139 in the situation 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:46.819 for our brother. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:51.219 Either by coming 00:08:51.219 --> 00:08:52.019 to him immediately 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:53.600 and they know 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.199 he had done that 00:08:54.199 --> 00:08:55.539 by crossing the sea of Galilee 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.699 crossed it immediately 00:08:56.699 --> 00:08:57.159 it says 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.620 or healing him 00:08:58.620 --> 00:08:59.379 from a distance. 00:09:02.579 --> 00:09:03.299 Now this is the first 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:03.799 stick point 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.199 Jesus' response 00:09:05.199 --> 00:09:06.120 into this 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:07.000 urgency 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.000 this tragedy 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.659 unfolding tragedy 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:11.959 he sends the messenger 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.180 back with another message 00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:15.700 essentially saying 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:16.840 to Mary and Martha 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.660 knowing that the messenger 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:18.600 would take four days 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:19.100 to get back 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:20.960 to deliver this message 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:21.440 don't worry 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:22.220 everything will work out 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:22.500 alright. 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:27.660 And again 00:09:27.660 --> 00:09:28.220 it's not hard 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:29.519 to imagine Mary and Martha 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:31.040 questioning the messenger 00:09:31.040 --> 00:09:31.400 remember 00:09:31.400 --> 00:09:32.600 when you look at 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:33.280 the time sequence 00:09:33.280 --> 00:09:33.620 of the story 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:34.480 by the time the messenger 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.320 gets back 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:36.920 Lazarus has already 00:09:36.920 --> 00:09:38.240 been dead for two days 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:41.399 and you can just 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:42.220 imagine 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:43.940 Martha and Mary 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:44.820 quizzing the messenger 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:47.259 is that it? 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:48.779 Is that all he said? 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.299 He didn't offer to heal 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:51.519 he didn't offer to do anything? 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.159 But it gets worse 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.560 even more 00:09:59.560 --> 00:10:00.860 apparently heartless 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:02.419 was Jesus' 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:03.399 purposeful delay. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:04.139 Look at the way 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.340 verses 5, 6 and 7 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:05.940 are put together. 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:07.900 Now Jesus 00:10:07.900 --> 00:10:08.940 we're just told 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.720 in verse 5 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.780 how much 00:10:10.780 --> 00:10:11.780 Jesus loved 00:10:11.780 --> 00:10:12.300 the family. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:14.480 And then look at 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.040 verse 6 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:15.920 the so 00:10:15.920 --> 00:10:17.060 in our English versions 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:17.880 is therefore 00:10:17.880 --> 00:10:19.000 it's a very strong word 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.240 so it reads like this 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.680 now Jesus loved 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.860 Martha and her sister 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:23.580 and Lazarus 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:24.660 therefore 00:10:24.660 --> 00:10:26.040 when he heard 00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:26.800 that Lazarus was ill 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:27.660 he did nothing 00:10:27.660 --> 00:10:28.360 for two days. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:28.420 He did nothing 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:28.440 for two days. 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:38.200 and then 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:38.940 verse 7 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:41.440 two days later 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:41.940 when he knew 00:10:41.940 --> 00:10:42.460 that Lazarus 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.440 was dead 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:45.020 then he says 00:10:45.020 --> 00:10:45.520 to his disciples 00:10:45.520 --> 00:10:46.700 now let's go 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:48.720 to Judea 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.800 let's go and see 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:50.280 Lazarus. 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:58.860 but the disciples 00:10:58.860 --> 00:10:59.379 then come 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.000 into the picture 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.980 and if Jesus 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:02.759 is heartless 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.059 they're 00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:05.279 insensitive 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:05.899 because 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.419 it would appear 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.720 that they're 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.360 off in a different 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.159 direction altogether 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.519 because their 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.159 concern 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:12.759 when they hear 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.439 the word Judea 00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.299 is hang on a minute 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:14.839 that's going to be 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:16.000 a strategic mistake 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.679 if we go back 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:17.220 there we're as good 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:17.740 as dead 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:20.139 they're operating 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:20.980 on their own agenda 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:21.779 of what they think 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.419 Jesus' mission 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:22.940 should have been 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:24.399 and for them 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:25.840 the idea of death 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:26.539 doesn't figure 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.500 if Jesus is going 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.240 to lead a revolt 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:28.919 against the Roman 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:30.080 occupation force 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:32.180 Jesus has no use 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:32.600 dead 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.620 go back there 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.340 you're as good as dead 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.019 no Jesus 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:36.340 we can't do it 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:39.879 and verse 9 and 10 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:40.940 then Jesus challenges 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:42.480 their agenda 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:44.259 again speaking 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:44.879 purposefully 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.139 purposefully rather 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:47.779 he says 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.419 look 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:50.019 I'm light 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:52.699 and by definition 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:53.899 light dispels 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.480 darkness 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.919 even more than that 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:57.879 Jesus is saying 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.539 there that he 00:11:58.539 --> 00:11:59.299 is the light 00:11:59.299 --> 00:11:59.799 of God's 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:00.639 salvation purpose 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.919 this is 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.399 my mission 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.179 I'm involved 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:04.639 in God's 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.399 salvation purpose 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.340 so what can go 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.779 wrong 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:08.720 what can go wrong 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:08.939 when you're 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.699 fulfilling God's 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:09.980 plan 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.539 is what Jesus 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.179 is saying to them 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:15.500 but still they persist 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.259 when Jesus then 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.879 tells them that 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.620 Lazarus has fallen 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:17.919 asleep 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.379 they misunderstand 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.139 it because 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:19.379 they're not 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.740 thinking 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.039 they're not 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.480 engaged 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:20.879 they're thinking 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:21.200 of their own 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:21.559 agenda 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:22.720 and he sees 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.299 on that 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:24.320 as further 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.240 reason not to 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:25.779 go back to 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:26.179 Jerusalem 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:28.679 well if 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:29.259 Lazarus 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.000 shone some 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:30.379 signs of 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:30.679 recovery 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:31.559 we don't need 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:31.960 to go there 00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:32.299 and put our 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.899 lives at risk 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.139 put the bigger 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.860 mission at risk 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.899 and again 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.580 that prompts 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.639 another apparently 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:40.080 heartless response 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:40.720 by Jesus 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.539 verse 14 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:43.639 Jesus clarifies 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.120 Jesus said 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.059 told them 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:46.699 plainly 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.740 Lazarus 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.059 has died 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:52.519 look at what 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:52.960 follows 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:55.600 and for your 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.039 sake 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:57.659 I am glad 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.240 I was not 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.539 there 00:12:58.539 --> 00:13:01.439 so that you 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:01.980 may believe 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.960 but let's 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:04.580 go to him 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:14.180 how could 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:14.639 Jesus be 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:15.259 glad 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.540 he wasn't 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:16.840 there 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:18.360 and yet 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:18.840 is now 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.400 determined 00:13:19.400 --> 00:13:19.900 to go to 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:20.100 him 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.080 after he's 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:21.360 dead 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.900 friends 00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:23.340 that's why 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:23.759 I use 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.220 the heading 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:24.540 for this 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:25.000 first part 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.200 of the 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.540 story 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:27.259 it's really 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:27.759 important 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.320 we hear 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:28.740 Jesus' 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.340 words 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:29.860 rather than 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.320 getting tripped 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:30.840 up by his 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.820 apparent actions 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:34.700 his words 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:36.140 are purposefully 00:13:36.140 --> 00:13:36.720 designed 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.460 to point 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.080 to the 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.640 heart of the 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:40.020 story 00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:41.160 to point 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.120 towards belief 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.860 as we're told 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.340 in verse 14 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:46.100 see the story 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.820 is not about 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:47.520 Lazarus 00:13:47.520 --> 00:13:50.440 it's about 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:50.960 Jesus 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.100 setting the 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.660 scene 00:13:52.660 --> 00:13:53.740 where the 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.320 death of 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:54.900 Lazarus 00:13:54.900 --> 00:13:55.640 becomes a 00:13:55.640 --> 00:13:56.300 powerful 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:57.380 demonstration 00:13:57.380 --> 00:13:58.600 of the 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.220 character 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:00.120 purpose 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.940 and goodness 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.480 of the 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:01.800 father 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.180 and of 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:02.400 Jesus 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:02.820 himself 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.980 the word 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.340 glory 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:04.680 is used 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:05.200 to describe 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:05.540 all that 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:08.600 and so 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.080 this whole 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:09.660 story 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:11.280 is orchestrated 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:12.200 and that's 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.760 a very strong 00:14:12.760 --> 00:14:13.240 word but it's 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.480 the word 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:13.760 that needs 00:14:13.760 --> 00:14:14.240 to be used 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:14.900 Jesus 00:14:14.900 --> 00:14:15.820 orchestrates 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.920 every circumstance 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:17.520 here 00:14:17.520 --> 00:14:19.640 so that they 00:14:19.640 --> 00:14:20.660 might believe 00:14:20.660 --> 00:14:21.900 that he is 00:14:21.900 --> 00:14:22.700 saviour 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.980 and king 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:28.160 and so 00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:29.080 the way 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.460 the story 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:30.480 unfolds 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:31.080 at the end 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:31.500 of the first 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.000 part 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.240 we are 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.120 face to 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.500 face 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.200 with an 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.279 indisputable 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.779 power 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:39.820 the power 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.320 of death 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.340 life 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.440 the life 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.120 of Lazarus 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.960 succumbs 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.920 to death 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:48.019 Lazarus 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.460 is dead 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.879 and Thomas 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.279 I think 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:50.820 speaks 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.899 for the 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.360 disciples 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.800 following 00:14:53.800 --> 00:14:54.139 through 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.100 this notion 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.800 of death 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:56.399 and heaviness 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.200 Thomas speaks 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.440 for the 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:57.779 disciples 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.159 verse 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.259 16 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:01.839 well 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:02.159 he says 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:02.439 we may 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:02.639 as well 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:03.059 go with 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.220 him 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.500 because 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.899 we're 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.199 all as 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:04.339 good 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:04.480 as 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:04.679 dead 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:04.899 if we 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.159 go back 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.299 to 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.740 Judea 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.240 there's 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.600 just a 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.179 heaviness 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.259 brooding 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.740 over this 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.539 whole story 00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:12.240 death as it were 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.199 is coming at them 00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:13.939 from every which 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:14.419 angle 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:16.959 and four days 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.279 later 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.599 the heaviness 00:15:18.599 --> 00:15:19.120 continues 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.639 four days 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:19.799 later 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:20.319 they finally 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:20.899 arrive at the 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.240 home of 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.740 Lazarus 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.299 and they're 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:23.939 confronted 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.439 with a 00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:24.879 scene of 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.740 devastation 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:29.879 the reality 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.519 of death 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.279 dominates 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:31.819 there as 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:32.139 well 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.539 the despair 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.399 the confusion 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.219 the broken 00:15:35.219 --> 00:15:35.899 heartedness 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.379 the pain 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.259 the anger 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.139 the grief 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:40.639 which comes 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.079 inevitably 00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:41.959 with death 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:44.860 is all 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.300 there 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:46.300 palpable 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:47.900 as Jesus 00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:48.420 arrives 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.120 at the 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.420 family 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:49.720 home 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:53.080 and in 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.680 conversation 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.379 with Martha 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:54.700 and then 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:54.940 Mary 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.440 we sense 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.900 we sense 00:15:56.900 --> 00:15:57.300 these two 00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:57.660 girls 00:15:57.660 --> 00:15:58.540 trying to 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.379 be restrained 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:01.259 trying to 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.620 keep it 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.040 together 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:05.280 but oozing 00:16:05.280 --> 00:16:05.879 with hurt 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.680 and disappointment 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:08.700 why didn't 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.120 you do 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.500 something 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.800 Jesus 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:10.160 it was 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:10.620 within your 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.200 power to 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.639 do something 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.399 why 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.019 why 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.480 why 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.360 if only 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:16.580 man 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:16.960 isn't that 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.500 the questions 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.100 we ask 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.000 we're so 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.500 familiar with 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.039 those questions 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.519 at a funeral 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.360 aren't we 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.439 we sit 00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:22.860 beside 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.919 the bedside 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.279 of somebody 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.779 who's 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:26.059 dying 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:29.299 that's the 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:29.720 question 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.799 isn't it 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:34.679 and so 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.460 John has 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.419 drawn us 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.080 brilliantly 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.539 into an 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:40.059 all too 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.600 familiar 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.340 yet dreadful 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:42.659 scene 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:45.360 we've all 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.820 been there 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:48.180 we've all 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:48.659 been there 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.420 sisters 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:52.720 brothers 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.700 wider family 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.379 parents 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.680 children 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.820 friends 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:58.320 we've all 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:58.680 been there 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.040 as one of 00:16:59.040 --> 00:16:59.460 those groups 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.440 gathered to 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:00.879 grieve 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.899 numb with 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.259 pain 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.480 and confusion 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.620 wrestling 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:07.059 in our 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.500 hearts 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.000 with the 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.500 anger 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.220 it shouldn't 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.819 be like 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.120 this 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:12.640 the big 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.240 questions 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.500 why 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.360 what if 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:20.740 longing that 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.000 could have 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.539 been different 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:23.500 but at the 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:23.900 same time 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.360 not knowing 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:24.660 how 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:27.880 and quietly 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.680 recognizing 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.339 in a way that 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:29.900 we never 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.720 ever admit to 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.220 quietly 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.940 recognizing 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:33.240 that the 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.140 unwelcome 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.960 visitor who 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.539 has just 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.240 turned up 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.860 again and 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.740 snatched away 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.559 ripped away 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.579 one love 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.039 deeply 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:40.620 by us 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:43.539 will one 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.140 day turn up 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.700 for us 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:50.579 it will be 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.059 my turn 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.380 soon 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.200 all too 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.480 soon 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:56.059 so let's 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.400 look at the 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.140 second part 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.339 of the 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:57.660 story 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.579 where 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.740 Jesus' 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.319 actions 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.579 speak much 00:18:01.579 --> 00:18:02.120 louder than 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.599 his words 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:05.980 Jesus walks 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.440 into this 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.420 tragic scene 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.579 dominated by 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.099 death and 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.500 despair 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.819 with words 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.620 of promise 00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:13.440 words of 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:13.880 promise that 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.700 overflow with 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.099 hope 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.839 comfort and 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:17.180 blessing 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:17.700 look at 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.299 verse 23 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:21.259 he pushes 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.240 Martha 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.599 to a 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.180 whole new 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:24.640 level 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.839 of belief 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:29.680 Jesus said 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:29.940 to her 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.880 your brother 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.380 will rise 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:31.759 again 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:35.000 Martha said 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.200 to him 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.700 I know 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:35.940 he will 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.500 rise again 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.279 in the 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:37.759 resurrection 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.079 on the 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.700 last day 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:41.000 Jesus said 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.240 to her 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.059 I am 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.680 the resurrection 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.740 and the 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.099 life 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:47.299 see 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.799 Martha 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.460 like most 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.019 Jews 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.900 believed 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.380 there would 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:50.660 be a 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:50.900 sort of 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.420 general 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.099 resurrection 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.719 sometime 00:18:52.719 --> 00:18:53.319 in the 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.699 future 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.219 at the 00:18:54.219 --> 00:18:54.500 day of 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:54.799 judgment 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.019 at the 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.199 end of 00:18:55.199 --> 00:18:55.279 the 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:55.579 world 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:58.500 because 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:58.699 they 00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.019 believed 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.539 that God 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.039 would not 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.579 allow 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.419 death 00:19:01.419 --> 00:19:01.779 to have 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.339 the final 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.859 word 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.759 in the 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.079 lives 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.379 of his 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:04.699 special 00:19:04.699 --> 00:19:05.039 people 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:09.480 things 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:13.819 and the 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.500 life 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.960 was to be 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.480 found 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.759 in 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.460 relationship 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.980 with him 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.519 and might 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.119 be known 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:19.659 and enjoyed 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.079 now 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:22.339 Jesus 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:22.759 said to 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.000 Martha 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.500 Martha 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.079 I need 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.339 you to 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.659 believe 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:24.960 in me 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.519 that I 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.799 am the 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.159 one 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:26.839 I am 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.139 Messiah 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:27.500 I am 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:27.759 the one 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.099 who can 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.539 cross 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.200 the boundaries 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.599 between 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.139 life and 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.420 death 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:37.320 this world and the next world, I can cross that boundary and bring back to life any whom I choose 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:45.980 to do so, any I choose to give life to. This is my mission. This is my specialty, is what Jesus 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:51.820 is asking Matthew to believe. My specialty is moving people from death to life. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:59.019 I am the source of real life, says Jesus. And wherever I am, I'm so identified 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:05.259 with resurrection and life that you can actually say, I am the resurrection. Wherever I am, 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:13.539 says Jesus, there will be real life, life that will never end, relationship that will never break 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:21.980 or cease to be or be ripped away, life that will always satisfy and never disappoint. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:30.880 More than that, if that was possible, more than that, trusting Jesus or being in relationship 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:37.880 with him means that though we will actually at some point in the future experience actual physical 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:46.579 death and decay, we will never experience a break in relationship with God, but we'll pass through 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:51.299 death into heaven and eternal relationship with him. Death won't be the end of our story. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:21:01.460 It's a new chapter as the life we have in Jesus now takes on a whole new dimension as the life we have 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:12.839 with Jesus in heaven forever. Now look at Martha's response in verse 27. Now we've got to cut the 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:20.740 woman a bit of slack. This is pretty big call to come at this sort of stuff. Martha says in verse 27, 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:27.959 yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:31.059 Now she doesn't quite get there, does she? 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:39.179 She's a couple of steps short of what Jesus or where Jesus wanted her to be. Nevertheless, 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:47.680 John records this very, very carefully. She doesn't get fully that resurrection life is a present 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:55.259 reality to be enjoyed. But here's the goal that John wants us to understand. What she does know is, 00:21:55.320 --> 00:22:04.960 what she is sure about, is that Jesus is the Christ. That is, that Jesus is God's King and Savior 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:12.140 sent into the world to reverse the effects of sin, principle of which is death. 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:19.220 So she doesn't know how it's all going to work. She can't quite get her head around what Jesus 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:24.059 sent her, but she knows enough to know that life lies with Jesus. 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:31.179 And interestingly also, when you look at the bigger picture, step right back, big picture stuff, 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:37.139 John chapter 20 verse 31, John gives us his one reason for writing the whole record, 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:42.960 and it's almost identical words to which, to that, to those which he puts in Martha's, 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:46.379 Mary or Martha, whoever it was, one of them anyway, one of the sisters, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:49.940 almost identical words to what he puts in her mouth now. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:56.740 In other words, John's saying, yet she doesn't understand all the details, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:00.720 but she's there. She believes. 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:08.340 She is a demonstration of that very thing that Jesus has come to achieve. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:16.860 She is entrusting herself in the face of death to Jesus, the face of life. 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:25.779 Then the story moves on, and that was Martha, obviously. 00:23:26.820 --> 00:23:33.740 Jesus meets Mary then, and once again is confronted by the utter devastation that comes with death. 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.279 These girls have been chatting away. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:40.620 They had been having a word or two about Jesus before Jesus arrived, 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.880 because she leads out with almost identical sentence to Jesus. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:46.299 Jesus, if only you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died. 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:50.960 So there's a fair bit of conversation that wasn't reported to Jesus there, I would suspect. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:24:00.119 And in response, Jesus acts in wonderful tenderness and compassion with Mary as he did with Martha. 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.980 And you can just see it. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:06.240 He felt their pain, and he identified with them. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:10.039 And verses 33 and 34 then. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:15.819 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:20.059 he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.140 And he said, where have you laid him? 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:37.480 The whole scene, as Jesus observes it, prompts an overflow of incredible emotion on the part of Jesus. 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:41.740 Now, we need to understand these words here, because in the English translation again, 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:44.800 it says he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:50.759 And it suggests that it might have been in response to saying the girl's weeping. 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:54.079 But the language is much, much stronger than that. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:58.339 The word there means, in English, what was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 00:24:58.419 --> 00:25:01.019 The word actually is better rendered outraged. 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:07.960 Jesus was absolutely outraged at what he saw before him. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:14.960 So what was Jesus outraged at? 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:25.220 Well, I take it he was outraged as he observed the mess caused by sin among God's image bearers. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:32.340 You remember back at the start of Jesus' ministry, one of the first things he did, he went to the temple. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:34.299 And the same word, he was outraged. 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:39.700 He was outraged back then because he saw in the temple, the very place of worship, 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:45.700 he saw how sin, how far sin had taken God's people away in their heart from worshipping God. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:47.819 So it had just become a den of robbers and thieves. 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.440 A place to make money. 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.619 And he was outraged. 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:55.059 Sin takes people away from God, into death. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:26:00.339 Sin messes up the world, messes up lives, and ultimately takes us to death. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.099 And he was outraged. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:14.819 And he's outraged at the end of his ministry because he looks at the unnaturalness of death in God's good creation. 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:19.000 He's outraged at the misery of the human race, the carnage of sin, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:23.980 and the destructive power of Satan, who is the power of death, 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:28.079 and whom he had come into this world to defeat and destroy. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:34.960 His outrage then comes with tears. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.559 He weeps. 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:42.179 He weeps because of the mess of sin he sees before him. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:52.500 He weeps because sin means that God's not honoured as he ought to have been honoured by those he made. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:27:01.240 He weeps because in just over a week, he would do battle to defeat Satan, who is the power of death, 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:04.119 knowing that that battle would cost him his life. 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:09.059 So he weeps for what's ahead, I believe, as well. 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:15.319 So here we have it, as we move to the climax of this miracle. 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:22.619 The final action of the drama unfolds with Jesus standing in front of the tomb of Lazarus, 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:26.559 not in a state of inconsolable grief, 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:36.799 but driven by absolute outrage at the mess sin causes in God's world. 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:47.639 And with that, we see for the second time in this story, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:52.079 a confrontation with that indisputable power 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:59.460 as Jesus moves Lazarus from death to life. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:05.119 Come back from the dead, Lazarus, now. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:12.480 Come back from death to new life, now. 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:22.460 And immediately, the stinking, and that's the word, not a polite odour. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:26.500 Man in a 50 degree climate after four days. 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.720 Do you want me to describe it to you? 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.899 Alison begged me not to. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:38.080 Yep, the stinking decomposition that Lazarus had become 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:41.380 is reversed. 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.140 Totally reversed. 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:45.280 Immediately reversed. 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:51.820 And Lazarus bunny hops out of the grave, 00:28:52.280 --> 00:28:54.500 looking a bit stupid in a sense, 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.880 wrapped in these grave clothes. 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.720 He couldn't have walked. 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.119 And Jesus says, 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:03.619 take those things off and let them go. 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:08.259 Almost an anticlimactic statement. 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:15.200 Because the climax was the saviour of this world, 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.440 Jesus Christ, 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:21.200 the one who claimed over and over and over again to be God 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:24.680 because he had the power that only God could demonstrate. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.539 And he demonstrated that power, saying, 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:31.299 come back across the divide, Lazarus. 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:33.359 Come back to life. 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.559 And even bigger still, 00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.579 and we'll deal with this next week, 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:41.119 the second half of verse, chapter 11. 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.419 Even bigger still, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:44.019 the scene was just a shadow 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.919 of what would be repeated 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:48.279 in just over a week. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:53.399 Where Jesus would confront the real enemy, 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.799 Satan, 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.859 who has the power of death, 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.039 and defeat him 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:02.399 and prove his lordship over everything 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:04.899 by himself coming back from the grave. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.819 Remember in chapter 10, 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.500 Jesus said that, 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.940 nobody will take my life from me. 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.159 For the sake of my sheep, 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.279 as a good shepherd, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.619 I will lay down my life. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:16.039 And then I will take it back up again. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.599 But who else but God 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:21.200 has the power to come into this world 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.240 and exit the world 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.399 and come back into it 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:25.059 on his own volition? 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:31.500 Only Jesus has the power 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.299 to deal with sin 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:34.819 which inevitably results in death 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.599 and thereby reverse 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:38.099 the curse of death 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.599 and restore life 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.799 as it was meant to be 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.180 to God's image bearers. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.240 That is his mission. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.039 He confirms that mission 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:47.259 as he prays to his father. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.279 He openly says, 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.159 I'm not praying this 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:49.960 because I need to pray. 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.339 I'm praying this to show you guys 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.099 that I and the father 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.119 are absolutely one 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.319 in this mission 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:55.259 of moving people 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.200 from death to life. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:31:04.080 So John arranges this story 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:05.360 as a report of Jesus 00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:08.440 to do this. 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.799 It's one thing for Jesus 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.920 to have the big words, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:14.319 to promise words of life. 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.860 But in this part of the story, 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:19.220 his actions speak much louder 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.880 than his words. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:24.360 He actually delivers life 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.159 from death 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:27.279 in this very public 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:29.159 and orchestrated setting. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:35.259 Could anything bring more glory 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.740 to the Lord? 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:39.099 More honour to the Lord 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.539 than this? 00:31:39.959 --> 00:31:40.740 I don't think so. 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:44.199 So I'll finish with this question. 00:31:46.479 --> 00:31:48.240 Same question that Jesus asked Martha. 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.899 Do you believe? 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:52.620 Do you believe? 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.840 Surveys of Christians show 00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:59.519 that I've read, 00:31:59.560 --> 00:32:00.100 there's probably lots 00:32:00.100 --> 00:32:00.540 of different ones, 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.440 but I've read surveys 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:04.019 that show 60 plus percent 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.460 of Christians 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.600 don't actually believe 00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:06.240 in the resurrection. 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.960 I'm talking Christians, 00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.880 I'm not talking pagans. 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:14.140 So I ask the question again, 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.140 do you believe? 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.200 Do you believe? 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:21.940 Jesus said he was the good shepherd. 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.380 Chapter 10, 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.180 the good shepherd 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:26.880 who pursued his lost 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.340 and wayward sheep, 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.059 pursued his sheep 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.140 right to the point 00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:32.519 of their being dead 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:34.740 in their trespasses and sin. 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.920 He calls them back by name. 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.160 He delivers them 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:39.140 into the good life 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.440 of relationship with God 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.660 as we were created to enjoy. 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:43.259 That's what Jesus said he did. 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:45.839 And here he delivers. 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.519 My friends, 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.559 here's the practical application. 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.220 Jesus is that something 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.240 we long for 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:58.759 when we're confronted with death. 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:02.900 He is that better life 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:04.680 we sense we were created for. 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:09.360 He offers his life 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:11.340 in the midst of coping 00:33:11.340 --> 00:33:12.440 with dying bodies 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.840 that fail us constantly 00:33:13.840 --> 00:33:14.940 and increasingly. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.380 The big issues of life, 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:20.259 what happens when I die, 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.560 can be sorted now 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.320 by believing 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:24.200 that in Jesus 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.019 there's forgiveness, 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.060 new acceptance, 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:28.140 new relationship with God 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:30.360 and the good life, 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.259 eternal life, 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:32.019 life abundant, 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:34.660 life that will go with us, 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.860 from this life 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:37.560 into heaven and eternity 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:40.460 in an unbroken continuity. 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.140 So again, 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.799 as we've seen week after week 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:49.240 going through John's gospel, 00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:50.060 the question is this, 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:51.180 will you put your hope 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.960 for the future 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:55.539 into building security 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.620 and longevity 00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:59.100 into your current life 00:33:59.100 --> 00:34:00.299 by your own resources? 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:02.980 obsessively even 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:04.399 trying to defy age 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:04.980 and death 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:06.619 and my goodness, 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.579 our society's given to that 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.179 now, isn't it? 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.039 And we in the church 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.920 just trot along 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.779 behind society, 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.199 obsessively trying 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.820 to defy age 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.960 and death. 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:23.320 Or will you invest 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:25.179 your future 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:26.300 in real life, 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.960 true life, 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.119 defined by relationship 00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.659 with Jesus, 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.779 life that will take you 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:33.619 across the divide 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:35.639 that one day 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.839 we will all have to cross 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:42.139 into a continued life 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:45.139 of never-ending enjoyment 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:46.079 of Jesus in heaven. 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.699 My friends, 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:50.619 I just ask you, 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.079 I beg you, 00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:52.039 to consider these words. 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:53.940 Let me pray. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:57.179 Lord, it's a hot morning, 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:59.699 not conducive to concentration. 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.059 Lots of distractions 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.279 around us 00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:04.099 and in our own hearts 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.579 and minds. 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.259 I pray, Lord, 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:05.659 that you might 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:07.460 cut through all those things 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.900 and imprint your word 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.460 in our hearts. 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:11.759 Give us great joy 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:13.139 for those who 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:14.340 have already 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.480 committed ourselves 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:17.039 to life in Jesus. 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.079 And Lord, 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.199 for those who are here 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.599 this morning 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.880 who have not yet done that, 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.360 break through 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.719 resistance, Lord, 00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:27.860 so that they might 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:29.779 also choose life. 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:30.819 Amen.