WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 ran a story about how some people try to live forever. 00:00:06.179 --> 00:00:11.099 And they rely on a pseudoscience called cryonics, 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:16.179 which is a practice of preserving corpses at an extremely low temperature 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:20.480 with the hope that future medical advances, scientific advances, 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:24.760 would enable people to resuscitate them if they preserve the body. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:29.199 Now, despite the fact that the scientific community generally frowns on this practice, 00:00:29.199 --> 00:00:32.359 200 people so far are stored in liquid nitrogen, 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:37.560 and at least 2,000 more are signed up to be frozen after their death in the U.S. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:38.859 It's a growing business. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:44.159 And this kind of reminds us, right, even though death is really universal, 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:48.140 and we've experienced it for generation after generation after generation, 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:51.780 it still strikes us as something that's strangely abnormal. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:54.899 It feels unnatural for someone to die. 00:00:54.980 --> 00:00:56.679 It feels like an interruption to life. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:03.179 And perhaps that's why humanity has marshal its greatest ingenuity and resourcefulness 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:07.140 to defy death and at least to delay death. 00:01:07.539 --> 00:01:10.739 We have fought against death throughout all of humanity's history. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:19.060 And in a letter that he wrote, C.S. Lewis, to his friend Sheldon Vonneken, an American author, 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:21.439 he writes about this phenomenon. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:21.819 He says, 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:24.899 A wish may lead to false beliefs, granted. 00:01:25.479 --> 00:01:28.259 But what does the existence of the wish suggest? 00:01:29.059 --> 00:01:31.679 At one time, I was much impressed by Arnold's line, 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:34.679 nor does the being hungry prove that we have bread. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:39.459 But surely, though it doesn't prove that one particular man will get food, 00:01:39.839 --> 00:01:42.519 it does prove that there is such a thing as food. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.259 If we were a species that didn't normally eat, 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:48.459 weren't designed to eat, would we feel hungry? 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:51.839 Do fish complain of the sea for being wet? 00:01:52.259 --> 00:01:57.019 Or if they did, would that fact itself not strongly suggest that they had not always been 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:00.839 or would not always be purely aquatic creatures? 00:02:01.979 --> 00:02:05.439 Notice how we are perpetually surprised at time. 00:02:05.919 --> 00:02:07.000 How time flies. 00:02:07.639 --> 00:02:09.340 Fancy John being grown up and married. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:10.680 I can hardly believe it. 00:02:11.079 --> 00:02:12.680 In heaven's name, why? 00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:18.680 Unless, indeed, there is something in us which is not temporal. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:25.500 In this passage, we're confronted with the reality of death, 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:29.159 but it points us beyond death to an even greater reality, 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:31.920 namely that Jesus is the resurrection and the life 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:35.200 who reveals God's glory to those whom he loves. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:39.480 And this passage shows us three things in which God reveals his glory. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:41.300 First is our suffering and death. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:44.260 Second is our resurrection and life. 00:02:44.760 --> 00:02:47.340 And third, it's Christ's death and resurrection. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:50.520 These three things reveal God's glory. 00:02:52.540 --> 00:02:56.180 Because we're surprised by time, we're surprised by death, 00:02:56.219 --> 00:02:57.640 because we weren't meant to die. 00:02:58.200 --> 00:03:02.720 We were created for eternity, as Ecclesiastes 3.11 notes. 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:05.520 Now read verses 1 to 4 with me. 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:07.580 It sets the scene for our story here. 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:10.719 Now, a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, 00:03:11.040 --> 00:03:12.980 the village of Mary, and her sister Martha. 00:03:14.040 --> 00:03:16.520 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.640 and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:22.040 So the sister sent to him, saying, 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:24.280 Lord, he whom you love is ill. 00:03:25.040 --> 00:03:26.640 But when Jesus heard it, he said, 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:30.599 This illness does not lead to death, for it is for the glory of God, 00:03:30.779 --> 00:03:34.000 so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:41.019 So John tells us that Lazarus was the brother of Mary who anointed Jesus' feet with oil. 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:45.780 And this story, actually, John hasn't told us yet. 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:47.740 We're going to hear about it in the following chapters. 00:03:48.100 --> 00:03:50.640 So it shows the fact that he mentions this as a reference, 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:54.920 shows that people probably knew about this before John told the story, 00:03:55.300 --> 00:03:56.680 probably from the Gospel of Luke, 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:58.480 because it's recorded there also in chapter 10. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:01.240 Now, so Lazarus was ill, 00:04:01.320 --> 00:04:04.300 and it seems that the family was very close to Jesus, 00:04:04.760 --> 00:04:06.780 because the sister sent for him and write, 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:08.020 Lord, in verse 3, 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:10.780 He whom you love is ill. 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:12.539 And I don't think that means, you know, 00:04:12.580 --> 00:04:13.939 just that Jesus loves everyone, 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:15.939 so they're referring to him as he whom he loves. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.699 No, they seem to think that Jesus has a special affection for him and his family. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:24.600 And so, right when he hears this in verse 4, 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:26.379 he says that Jesus promises, 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:28.500 This illness does not lead to death. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:30.480 It is for the glory of God, 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:33.579 so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:37.060 And, of course, having the benefit of hindsight, 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:38.500 we know what Jesus means, 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:40.779 because Lazarus does, in fact, die. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.519 That's not what Jesus means, 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:43.899 that it will not end in death. 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:46.439 But he means that it will not ultimately end in death, 00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:47.979 because he's going to be raised again. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:50.759 And now, in the Gospel of John, 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:52.620 the word glory is significant, 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:55.500 and it doesn't primarily refer, in the Gospel of John, 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:58.139 to something that we bestow on God, 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:00.219 the praise or glory that we give to God, 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:02.960 but rather to the glory that emanates from God, 00:05:03.020 --> 00:05:04.000 that emanates from God, 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:05.820 that's his, rightfully his. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:09.660 So when Jesus says that it is for the glory of God, 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:11.540 that the Son of God may be glorified through it, 00:05:11.700 --> 00:05:13.440 he's saying that Lazarus' illness 00:05:13.440 --> 00:05:15.540 is going to lead to the revelation 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.500 of the glory of the Son of God. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.220 It's going to reveal God's glory. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:23.540 Now, this knowledge that Jesus has 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:26.840 leads to something quite strange in verses 5 and 6. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.600 Please follow along with me. 00:05:28.600 --> 00:05:34.720 Now, Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:38.720 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, 00:05:39.200 --> 00:05:42.240 he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:46.060 Now, notice the repetition of the word love, right? 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:47.840 They wrote to him saying, 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:49.340 the one whom you love is ill, 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:50.640 and now Jesus confirms, 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:52.240 John the narrator confirms it. 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:55.100 Now, Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:05:56.920 So, Jesus loves them. 00:05:56.920 --> 00:05:59.620 And now, from that verse alone, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:01.259 you would think that what follows immediately 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:02.220 after that sentence would be, 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:03.500 well, Jesus loved them, 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:06.040 so he got up immediately and left for Bethany. 00:06:06.080 --> 00:06:07.319 That's what you would expect to see. 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:09.379 But you see exactly the opposite. 00:06:09.520 --> 00:06:10.360 It says in verse 6, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:12.379 So, that's therefore, 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:14.300 when he heard that Lazarus was ill, 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:18.639 he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:21.860 This is curious indeed, right? 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.980 Lazarus is deathly ill, 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.439 and Jesus, knowing this supernaturally, 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:29.100 decides to delay his coming. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:33.200 And as soon as he finds that Lazarus is dead, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.700 it almost functions like a divine signal for him. 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:36.860 He says, okay, now let's go. 00:06:37.260 --> 00:06:38.020 What's going on? 00:06:38.640 --> 00:06:40.980 And it may have been related to the fact 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:44.160 that there was a Jewish superstition in those days 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:47.460 that said that a soul of the deceased 00:06:47.460 --> 00:06:49.460 hovered over the dead, 00:06:49.820 --> 00:06:51.840 over the corpse basically for three days. 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.220 And during those three days, 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:55.939 would hover over the diseased corpse 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:58.519 and try to reenter that body. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:00.860 But around the fourth day, 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:02.500 when decomposition kicks in 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.100 and the body starts to rot, 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.579 it would abandon all hope and leave. 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:09.100 So that was a superstition that was around at the time 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:10.060 among the Jewish people. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:12.019 And so that may be why 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:14.100 John specifically notes in verse 17 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:15.620 that when Jesus came, 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.560 he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:20.100 four days after that time. 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:24.139 So Jesus seems to be intentionally delaying his coming 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:26.979 to make sure that Lazarus is good and dead 00:07:26.979 --> 00:07:28.439 and to make sure that everybody, 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:30.199 no one's going to have a mistake in their mind 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.860 that Lazarus is actually dead 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:33.459 and he's never coming back to life. 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:35.719 And so he's, 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.979 which is still baffling to us, right? 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:42.060 It's baffling to everyone around him as well 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:44.379 because Lazarus is ill and he loves him. 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:46.599 Why not go and heal him right away? 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:50.759 And you see this doubt expressed throughout this passage. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:53.099 In verse 21, when Martha meets Jesus, 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:55.460 she says, Lord, if you had been here, 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:56.820 my brother would not have died. 00:07:57.760 --> 00:07:59.160 Where have you been, Jesus? 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:02.780 Our courier returned several days ago 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:05.160 and reported that he relayed the message to you 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:05.939 in a timely fashion. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.140 Where have you been? 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:09.820 You could have prevented this. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:10.620 Do you not care? 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:14.480 And Mary echoes those sentiments in verse 32. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:16.420 Lord, if you had been here, 00:08:16.580 --> 00:08:17.939 my brother would not have died. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:21.379 And the watching crowd also says the same thing 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.180 in verse 37, 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:26.000 could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.100 also have kept this man from dying? 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:31.240 And the answer, of course, is yes. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.159 He could have. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.500 But he didn't. 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:37.580 And that's ultimately the question we ask 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:39.539 in our suffering as well, isn't it? 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.379 When we're suffering, 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:41.720 when we're going through difficulties, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.519 this is the question we ask. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:46.279 God, you are sovereign and all-powerful. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.259 Couldn't you have prevented this? 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:51.339 If you had been here, Jesus, 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.819 my mother would not have died of cancer. 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.740 If you had been here, Jesus, 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:59.959 my brother would not have died of drug overdose. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:02.860 If you had been here, Jesus, 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:04.879 I would not still be a lonely single 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:06.539 when I desperately want a spouse. 00:09:08.339 --> 00:09:09.939 If you had been here, Jesus, 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:12.240 I would not still be barren and infertile. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:15.560 If you had been here, Jesus, 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.220 I would be working a different job. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.820 I'd be a different place in my career. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:25.680 If only you had been here, Jesus. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:30.360 And note that at this point of the passage, 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.560 we don't know yet that Jesus is going 00:09:32.560 --> 00:09:35.019 to raise Lazarus from the dead. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:37.299 And so as Martha, Mary, and the onlookers 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:38.480 are mourning Lazarus' death, 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.620 Jesus' delay is totally unexplainable. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.240 You can't understand that. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:45.820 Because they did not understand 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:48.179 that Jesus intended to raise them from the dead 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.379 and so doing, build up their faith 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:52.720 and reveal God's glory. 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:55.759 And that, in the end, 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:58.240 revealing God's glory is the best thing 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.039 He can do for us. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:01.820 It's the most good thing He can do for us 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:03.860 because God Himself is love. 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.139 God Himself is life. 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:07.419 Life itself resides in Him. 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:09.440 And so getting a glimpse of Him 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:11.419 and His glory and partaking in that glory, 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:12.719 that's the best thing, 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.719 very best thing that God can do for us. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.539 And that's what Jesus wants, 00:10:16.599 --> 00:10:19.779 the very best for Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:23.099 That's why the Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches 00:10:23.099 --> 00:10:25.879 that man's chief end is to glorify God 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.299 and to enjoy Him forever. 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:31.439 To glorify God is to enjoy Him 00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:34.379 and to enjoy Him is to glorify Him. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:38.460 And this, you have to note that it doesn't mean 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:41.659 what's good for us is necessarily painless. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.899 A trip to the dentist should be enough to convince us of that. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:48.519 What's good for us is not necessarily painless. 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:52.019 But God always promises, 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:55.159 God promises always to act for His glory and our good. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:00.319 And in a letter to his friend, once again, 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.919 it's a different letter that C.S. Lewis wrote, 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:04.460 and he's writing about his wife, 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.960 Joy Davidman's cancer 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:08.519 and what that might have in store for them. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:09.519 And he writes, 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.159 We are not necessarily doubting 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.939 that God will do the best for us. 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:16.059 We are wondering how painful 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:18.139 the best will turn out to be. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:21.639 What is best for you, 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:23.419 what is good for you, 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.860 might be extraordinarily painful 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:28.159 as it was for Lazarus, 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:31.000 as it was for Martha and Mary. 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.100 And you might not know 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.379 how your story is going to end, 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:38.620 but you can be assured 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.439 that it is for the glory of God, 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:44.740 which is for your good. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:48.439 In all the suffering of those who trust in Jesus, 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.159 there is glory in the end, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.460 and your suffering is not meaningless. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.340 It may seem meaningless to you 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.879 because you can't connect, 00:11:57.960 --> 00:11:59.299 you don't see the full picture, right? 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:02.179 If you purchase the puzzle from Toys R Us 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.600 and you come home 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.980 and let's say it has two pieces 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.139 that don't fit. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.600 And if that was, 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.100 if it only had two pieces 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.399 and the two pieces didn't fit, 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.240 well, you'd have the right 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.600 to go back and complain 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:15.080 and say this was a defective product, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.879 give me a new puzzle, right? 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.860 But what if that two piece of puzzle 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.740 that don't fit 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.600 is part of a thousand piece puzzle 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:24.220 and you just don't have those pieces? 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:27.639 Well, then they would say you're crazy 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.940 to come try to return that. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:29.820 You just don't, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.899 you just haven't figured out yet 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.940 how it fits, right? 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:33.080 In the same way, 00:12:33.140 --> 00:12:34.800 we might not know how the story ends. 00:12:34.880 --> 00:12:36.320 We might not know how this will be 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:37.700 for God's glory and for our good, 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.940 but God sees the whole picture. 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:42.040 And so in spite of the uncertainty, 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.560 we can trust in Him 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:46.580 and that this contradiction in our life 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:47.980 will find its reconciliation 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.940 in the transcendent mind of God. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.200 And our suffering and even death, 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:56.220 it's for our glory and good, 00:12:56.260 --> 00:12:57.180 but there's one more thing 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:58.020 that God offers us, 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.220 that Jesus offers us 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.840 to help us in the midst 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.879 of our pain and suffering. 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:05.180 And that's the assurance of God's love. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.639 Because remember verse five, 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:10.240 now Jesus loved Martha 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.519 and her sister and Lazarus. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:15.019 So when He heard that Lazarus was ill, 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:16.560 He stayed two days longer 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:18.580 in the place where He was. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:21.160 It was not indifference 00:13:21.160 --> 00:13:23.720 or callousness or selfishness 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:25.480 that motivated Jesus to delay. 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:29.920 It was His love for Lazarus 00:13:29.920 --> 00:13:31.259 and Martha and Mary 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.379 that motivated Jesus 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.460 to let them suffer 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.039 and grieve for a time. 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:38.039 Remembering God's love 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.940 in the midst of our suffering 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:40.700 provides much comfort for us 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:41.960 because you know 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.519 that love does no harm. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.220 Love does no wrong. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.360 And God loves us. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.620 His love lies behind every trial, 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:53.080 every travail we experience. 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:56.280 And not only that, 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.900 Jesus, the Son of God, 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.620 empathizes with us 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.759 in the suffering. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.720 Verse 33, it says, 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:04.740 When Jesus saw her weeping 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:07.000 and the Jews who had come with her 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.820 also weeping, 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:09.800 He was deeply moved 00:14:09.800 --> 00:14:10.480 in His spirit 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.940 and greatly troubled. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.340 And the same word, 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:14.060 deeply moved, 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.600 is used again in verse 38. 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:18.600 Now, a slight tweak 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.700 of how you might understand that 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.740 because the phrase deeply moved 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.440 is a translation 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:25.000 of one Greek word 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.280 that denotes emotional outrage 00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:28.680 and indignation. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.440 So that's a New Living Translation 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:33.720 actually I think gets this right, 00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.360 which is rare 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.160 for it to get it right 00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:35.960 better than the ESV. 00:14:36.400 --> 00:14:36.780 It says here, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.259 When Jesus saw her weeping 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.400 and saw the other people 00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:40.160 wailing with her, 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:43.060 a deep anger welled up within Him 00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:45.160 and He was deeply troubled. 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.960 Because the same word 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.460 is used only three other times 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.800 in the entire New Testament 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.139 and in all three 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:51.959 of those instances 00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:52.859 it refers to Jesus 00:14:52.859 --> 00:14:54.139 sternly rebuking 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.399 or warning someone. 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.899 It refers to His indignation, 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:57.379 anger. 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:59.159 And in the Greek translation 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.299 of the Old Testament, 00:15:00.479 --> 00:15:01.319 Psalm 711, 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.939 Lamentations 2.6, 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:04.059 the word is used 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.620 to refer to God's fierce 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.179 indignation in judgment. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.459 So it's tempting 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:11.339 if you're a translator 00:15:11.339 --> 00:15:12.179 to read this 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.679 and try to sanitize the word 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.240 because I mean 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.399 who doesn't want to think 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.819 about Jesus being deeply moved 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.959 as He sees our suffering. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.660 But that's not exactly 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.500 what's going on. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.480 Jesus is deeply moved indeed 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.259 but it's an indignation 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.259 at something. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.960 But at what exactly? 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.879 It says that Jesus 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.519 became indignant 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:32.680 when He saw the people weeping. 00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:34.060 And I think the connection 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.820 might be that 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.860 Son of God, 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.860 as John tells us 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:38.180 in another one of His writings, 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.259 in 1 John 3.8, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.120 the Son of God 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.000 came to destroy 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.060 the works of the devil. 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:44.259 Jesus came to destroy, 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:46.160 to defeat sin and death. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.860 And Jesus is angered 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.980 by the sight of death, 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:51.419 consuming and grieving 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.679 the people He loves 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:55.439 and the sin that caused it. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.539 Jesus is angry 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.620 that the precious people 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.659 who were created through Him, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.659 who were intended for eternity 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:02.019 and life with Him, 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:04.699 are now marred by sin and death. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.959 So as our champion 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:07.639 against sin and death, 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:10.659 Jesus' anger swells up in Him 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:12.600 as He sees this, 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:14.500 as He prepares to rescue Lazarus 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.500 from the jaws of death, 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.539 He's indignant. 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:20.519 So Jesus is angry 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.539 at sin and death, 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.519 but He's also compassionate 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:25.399 toward those who are weeping. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.879 Where do we get that? 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.139 Look at verse 35, 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.639 the shortest verse in the Bible, 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:33.059 Jesus wept. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.059 It's short, 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.940 but it packs a punch, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.379 doesn't it? 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:40.360 He sorrows, 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.539 He feels 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:43.779 our suffering. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.480 He's not a stoic God 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:48.379 indifferent to the sufferings 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.360 of mere mortals 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.460 sheltered in some Mount Olympus, 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.519 untouched by the earthly realities. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:55.139 No, Jesus is the God 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.779 who came down to earth. 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.519 Jesus is the God 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.539 who became man. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.960 Jesus is the one 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.460 who is able to empathize 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:03.639 with us in our weaknesses. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.579 As Isaiah 53 prophesied, 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.819 Jesus would be a man 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.659 of sorrows 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:10.299 and acquainted with grief. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.759 He has borne our griefs 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.519 and carried our sorrows. 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.359 Jesus identified 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.319 with the frailty 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.500 of humanity 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:21.299 because He loved us. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:25.460 And so He wept. 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:28.019 And the Jews, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.279 seeing Him weep, 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.699 say in verse 36, 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:32.639 see how He loved them. 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:35.920 So next time you're grieving, 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.020 maybe you're grieving now, 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:39.120 you're filled with sorrow, 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.060 remember that Jesus wept 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:43.240 and He weeps with you. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:47.420 Behind every Christian suffering 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.380 is God's love 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.480 and at the end 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.680 of every Christian suffering 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.259 is God's glory. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.980 And that removes 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.800 the sting of bitterness 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:56.840 from any suffering 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.940 for the Christian. 00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:02.700 So God's glory 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.420 is revealed 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.539 even through our suffering 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.039 and death. 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:05.779 And secondly, 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.019 God reveals His glory 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.279 in the eternal life 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.220 and resurrection 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:11.559 that He offers us. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.400 So after Lazarus dies, 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.500 Jesus leads His disciples 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.519 back to Bethany 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.140 in Judea. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.799 And when Martha 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.600 sees Him, 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.440 she says to Him, 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.940 verses 21 to 22, 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.700 Lord, 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:22.980 if you had been here, 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.320 my brother would not have died. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.360 But even now, 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.820 I know that whatever you ask 00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:27.299 from God, 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.279 God will give you. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.340 Now, 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:32.080 we can mistakenly think 00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:33.400 that Martha's saying, 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:33.960 well, even now, 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.600 God will give you 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:35.299 whatever you ask 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.980 means that she has faith 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.480 that Jesus is going to raise 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.860 Him from the dead. 00:18:40.100 --> 00:18:40.860 But I don't think 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.100 that's what's going on 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:42.980 because if you look 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.799 at her obtuseness 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.700 in verse 24 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.039 and her unbelief 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.900 in verse 39 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.440 that shows that, 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:47.620 no, 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.340 she didn't have 00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:49.160 that faith at all. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.220 So that's not 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.799 what she's saying, 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.440 but she's rather 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.119 just expressing 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:52.980 a general vote 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.539 of confidence. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:53.919 Lord, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:55.519 you missed this one. 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.819 You didn't get here on time. 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.599 But, you know, 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.299 I still believe 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.819 that you have 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.960 a special access to God. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.619 So that's kind of 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.599 a general thing 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.460 that Martha is saying 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.319 to her. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.599 And so Jesus responds 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.279 to her 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:08.019 in verse 23, 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:08.960 your brother 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.399 will rise again. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.500 That's a wonderfully 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.460 ambiguous statement, 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:13.859 right? 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.759 Because they believe 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.339 in the resurrection 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.200 of the dead 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.839 at the end of time. 00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:18.799 It has a double meaning. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.000 So on the one hand, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:21.259 Lazarus will rise again 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.900 on the last day 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.319 and that's how 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.359 Martha understands him. 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.559 But Jesus means 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.299 more than that, 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:26.579 right? 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.259 He will rise again 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.559 here and now. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.740 So Jesus corrects her 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:33.819 in verses 25 and 26. 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:37.180 I am the resurrection 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.599 and the life. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:40.140 Whoever believes in me, 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.900 though he die, 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.339 yet shall he live. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.839 And everyone who lives 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.819 and believes in me 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.900 shall never die. 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:49.340 Jesus redirects Martha 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:51.040 from an abstract faith 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:52.080 in the resurrection 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.840 at the end times 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:55.080 to a personal faith 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.900 in Jesus 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.420 as the resurrection 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.540 and the life. 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.220 And Jesus seems to be 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.940 referring to two 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.700 different things here. 00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.740 The future bodily 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.320 resurrection 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:05.280 of believers, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.660 right? 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.820 And also 00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:09.600 the present spiritual life, 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.200 eternal life 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.880 that God offers us. 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.040 And I think 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:13.920 that's what it means 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.300 when he says, 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.599 whoever believes in me, 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.740 though he die, 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.879 yet shall he live. 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.259 So that's a reference 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.419 to the final resurrection, 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.359 the resurrection of the body. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.599 We will die. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:25.259 We will all eventually die. 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.940 But we will yet live. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.819 We'll live again. 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.960 We'll be raised to life. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.000 And then 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.000 I think the second half 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.619 of Jesus' statement 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.779 is where Jesus talks about 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.720 eternal life 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.680 here and now. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.399 Because he says, 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.579 everyone who lives 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:38.539 and believes in me 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.980 shall never die. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.019 So of course, 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.980 those two things 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.779 can't be referring 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.799 to the same death. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.660 Because on the one hand, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.839 he said that you will die 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.639 and yet you will live. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.539 But on the other hand, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.639 he says you will never die. 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.259 So they're not referring 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.279 to the same kind of death. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.460 The second kind of death 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.039 he's referring to 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:53.019 is spiritual death 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.899 that we are all born into. 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.799 And he's saying 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.940 that if you believe in me, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.680 you will live 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.420 and you will never die. 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:00.539 Now, 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:01.940 so 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.339 if we, 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.099 this is 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.539 such an important truth 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.180 and I want us 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:06.599 to really 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.319 get 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.519 the joy 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:08.980 and the hope 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.519 that lies 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.200 in our resurrection 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.039 and eternal life. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.240 And I want you 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.319 to appreciate this rightly. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.319 So let's talk first 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.339 about eternal life, 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.039 what that means 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.899 for us, 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.159 the life that Jesus promises. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.980 Because sometimes people 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.200 think about eternal life 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.559 in heaven 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.539 and they think of 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.579 these embodied spirits 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.720 floating around in heaven 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.559 and playing harps 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.180 and that's kind of 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.039 what they think of heaven, 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.420 right? 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:28.440 And that's not very appealing 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.339 for a lot of people. 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.740 And that's, 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.899 but don't think about 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.799 eternal life that way. 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.299 I want you to think 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.139 about eternal life 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:35.000 this way, right? 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.680 What's the most precious thing 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.799 that this life offers? 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.819 What's the most beautiful thing 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.079 that you see in this life, 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:41.299 right? 00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:43.779 It's love, right? 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.579 That's why people sing about it. 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.139 That's why people 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:47.259 make movies about it, 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.559 right? 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.599 And it's, 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.899 and imagine maybe 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:51.559 the unbreakable bond 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.960 of parental love 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.200 or maybe that intimate 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.759 commitment 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:57.399 of romantic love, 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.279 right? 00:21:58.899 --> 00:21:59.159 Well, 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.799 scripture teaches us 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.839 God is love, 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:02.119 right? 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:02.939 He's the one 00:22:02.939 --> 00:22:03.939 that defines love 00:22:03.939 --> 00:22:05.279 and he is the light 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.799 of the world 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.500 as John told us. 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:06.839 He, 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.079 God is life. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.500 And so eternal life, 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.699 which as Christians 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:11.899 we begin to experience 00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:13.059 here and now, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.399 is nothing less 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:16.039 than perfect communion 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.779 with God, 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.679 union with Christ 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.460 and fellowship 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.599 with the triune God. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.099 So, 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.819 and a Christian, 00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:22.119 of course, 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:22.740 is by definition 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.819 someone who loves God 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.399 because they have been 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.259 loved by God. 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.659 And if that's you, 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.579 then there's nothing 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.579 more ecstatic, 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.460 delightful, 00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.500 and joyful, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.480 and rapturous 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:33.179 than enjoying communion, 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.720 union with God, 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.419 right? 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.840 who loves us perfectly, 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.160 supremely. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:40.019 That's eternal life. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.380 There's nothing 00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.200 better than that. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.800 And that's not 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:45.560 the end of it. 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.380 That's the other part, 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.620 resurrection life. 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.279 Because the resurrection 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.580 still awaits us 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:52.539 after we die. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.560 Jesus will return 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:55.759 to earth once more 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.519 and when he does, 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.440 he will consummate 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.039 his kingdom 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.880 here on earth 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.800 and our bodies 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.759 will be raised, 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.620 resurrected, 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.820 and perfected. 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:06.159 heaven up there, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.720 so to speak, 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.960 is not the final 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.419 destination. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.139 It's a layover. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.720 The final heaven 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.559 is here. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:16.179 As Revelation 21, 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.119 3 prophesies, 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.619 behold, 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.819 the dwelling place 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.319 of God 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:21.039 is with man. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.259 He will dwell 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.240 with them 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.240 and they will be 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.679 his people 00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.480 and God himself 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.839 will be with them 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.879 as their God. 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.839 The ultimate heaven 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.419 is not us 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:32.299 with God 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.859 over there, 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.740 but God 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.779 with us. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.399 Heaven will come down 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:38.419 and we will have 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.479 heaven on earth. 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:41.519 And Paul 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.419 writes about this 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.539 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.279 in a moment, 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:45.639 in a twinkling of an eye 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.579 at the last trumpet, 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.299 for the trumpet 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.839 will sound 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.399 and the dead 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:49.339 will be raised 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.240 imperishable 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.799 and we shall be changed. 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.199 For this perishable body 00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:53.859 must put on 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.679 the imperishable 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.919 and this mortal body 00:23:55.919 --> 00:23:56.639 must put on 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:57.619 immortality. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.479 Our perishable bodies 00:23:59.479 --> 00:24:00.139 will be raised 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:01.119 imperishable. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.739 Our dishonorable bodies 00:24:02.739 --> 00:24:03.399 will be raised 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:03.959 honorable. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.579 Our inglorious bodies 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.339 will be raised 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.219 glorious. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:09.119 Our weak bodies 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.759 will be raised 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.759 in power. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.599 All our infirmities 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.519 and imperfections 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.259 that we experience 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.919 in this life 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.919 will be gone. 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.019 Right? 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:20.159 Just think about that 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.579 and the implication 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.219 of the resurrection 00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:22.719 of the body 00:24:22.719 --> 00:24:23.779 also is the renewal 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.899 of the entire creation, 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:25.379 of course, 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.479 as Romans 8, 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:28.259 21 and 23 suggest. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.420 So think about that 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.759 for a moment. 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.359 That means, 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:31.980 personally, 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.240 my mother, 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.900 who has debilitating 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.160 chronic arthritis, 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.379 will be able 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.599 to use her hands again 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.680 and be able 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.500 to run again. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.379 Right? 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.480 That means 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.740 the blind people 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.519 who never got 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.240 to see 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.940 and behold 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.539 the beauties 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.660 of this colorful world, 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.960 the Grand Canyon, 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.339 Van Gogh's painting, 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.019 the flowers, 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.559 human beings, 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.559 they will see again. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:58.539 and it will be 00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.599 infinitely more beautiful 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:00.159 than the world 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:00.940 that he missed. 00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.179 That means 00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:03.720 the deaf 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.460 who never got 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.220 to relish 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.359 Mozart's 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.480 unforgettable melodies, 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.079 never got to hear 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.059 the chirping of birds 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.599 in the morning 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.200 or the waves 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.500 crashing over the rocks, 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.299 they will hear again. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.220 That means 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.339 the anosmic 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.299 who is not able 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.960 to smell 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.539 the pleasing aroma 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.240 of roasting coffee beans, 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.620 or fresh baked bread 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.140 coming out 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.900 of the oven, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.200 they will smell 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.759 things 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.960 that they 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.000 could never imagine. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.559 People inflicted 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.460 with agusia 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:39.039 can't taste anything. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.079 They have not tasted 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.819 the salty 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.400 unami 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.700 of chicken noodle soup 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.900 or that 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.880 bittersweetness 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.440 of chocolate. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.440 They will taste 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:50.680 truly heavenly food. 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:53.240 And even 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.960 for those of us 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.500 who don't have 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.680 any physical disabilities, 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.259 I mean, 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:57.360 I'm speculating here, 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.259 but we only see 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.960 a spectrum, 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.080 like limited range 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.039 of things 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.940 that other creatures 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.759 hear and see, 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.120 right? 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.920 I wonder 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.820 whether we'll see 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.539 all of that. 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.500 Can you imagine 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.259 the beauties 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.019 that lie behind 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.720 the possibilities? 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.360 You see, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.060 the resurrection 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:14.060 of the body 00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:15.000 and heaven 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.539 coming down 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.140 to earth 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.840 means that 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:17.900 we can have hope 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.700 even when we have 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.600 the most dull 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.640 and boring life 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.400 right now, 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:25.200 even when those of us 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.780 who maybe some of you 00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:27.759 have never left 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.440 your hometown, 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.600 you've always been here, 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.640 you've never seen 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:31.100 the world. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.240 Even for those of you, 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.400 those people 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.120 in other parts 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.460 of the world 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.000 that live in 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.000 war-torn regions 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.820 where they're persecuted 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:38.780 for their faith, 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.340 all of us 00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:42.019 are going to live again. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.759 And that time 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.620 and that life, 00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:45.320 we're going to have 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.820 eternity 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.919 to enjoy 00:26:46.919 --> 00:26:48.339 and to bask 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:49.299 in everything 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.879 glorious 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.879 that God has created. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.279 It's going to be new. 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.579 And this resurrection 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:59.259 also imbues 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.259 everything we do 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.460 with such meaning 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.519 and infinite worth, 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.059 doesn't it? 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:03.919 Right? 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.000 Because if heaven 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.980 is going to invade 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.419 the earth, 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.099 then what we do 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:07.939 on earth matters. 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:09.500 Right? 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.200 This life 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.839 is not the end, 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.559 it's practice, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.639 it's like rehearsal 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:15.779 for that next life, 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.359 that is coming. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.480 It prepares us 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.359 for a resurrection life. 00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:19.179 So whether your job 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:20.779 is to translate languages 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:22.259 or to create softwares 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.659 or to raise kids 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.919 or to sell products 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:26.359 or to clean streets 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.000 and houses, 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.159 you're enhancing 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:29.019 the beauties 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.720 and glories 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.259 of this earth 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.099 and you're adding 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.859 to the culture 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.399 of humanity 00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:34.659 and you're improving 00:27:34.659 --> 00:27:35.700 the lot of humanity 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.059 and your work, 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.159 everything that you, 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.899 every sweat, 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.399 every day that you shed, 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.679 everything you expend 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.679 for God's glory 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.700 will come to full fruition 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.940 in that life. 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.180 Nothing you do 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.620 for the Lord 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.299 will be wasted. 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:53.320 And we'll have eternity 00:27:53.320 --> 00:27:54.460 to make friendships, 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:56.200 realize our dreams. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.960 That's why I think 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.120 the bucket list mentality 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:00.039 doesn't make any sense 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.600 for the Christian. 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.340 Right? 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.840 That makes sense 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.740 if this is all we have. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.100 But no, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.680 we're going to have 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.539 this life again 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.660 and it's going to be better. 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:07.980 Eternity 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.660 to discover new things 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:11.160 about God's world 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.040 and about God 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:14.180 to get to know people, 00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:14.920 love people, 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:17.380 to enjoy all that is true, 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:17.960 noble, 00:28:18.540 --> 00:28:19.000 beautiful, 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:19.920 lovely, 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:20.500 good, 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.019 and excellent. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.580 Heaven on earth 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:25.180 is going to be awesome. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.820 And I hope 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:31.480 it captures your imagination 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.440 because that's going to change 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.060 how you live. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.620 So Jesus is here 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.220 making an amazing promise. 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:41.339 He's the resurrection 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.759 and the life. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.319 And then Jesus, 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.600 to prove this 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:48.880 audacious claim, 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.779 raises Lazarus 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.059 from the dead. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.880 Verse 39, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.299 He says, 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.839 take away the stone. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.259 But Martha 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.220 objects 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.880 and you see here 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.559 her unbelief. 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.420 Lord, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:02.059 sorry to break this to you, 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.819 but by this time 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.799 there will be 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.360 an order 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:06.220 for he has been dead 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.100 four days. 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:09.839 And Jesus 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.659 admonishes her 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.319 in verse 40, 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.699 did I not tell you 00:29:12.699 --> 00:29:14.019 that if you believed 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.279 you would see 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.159 the glory 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:17.159 of God? 00:29:18.219 --> 00:29:19.259 And then he prays 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.139 a prayer of thanksgiving 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.779 to his father 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.959 and he bellows out, 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:23.359 he says in a loud voice, 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.459 Lazarus, 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.679 come out. 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:27.299 And incredibly, 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.719 even the dead body 00:29:28.719 --> 00:29:29.399 recognizes 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.879 the voice of its creator, 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.000 the author of life, 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:33.219 and it springs back 00:29:33.219 --> 00:29:33.679 to life. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.439 And in verse 44, 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:34.740 he says, 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:36.400 the man who had died, 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.680 remember, 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.920 notice how it doesn't 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.799 say Lazarus, 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.099 it says the sister 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.059 of the dead man, 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.759 because to emphasize 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.740 that he was really dead, 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.460 he says again, 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.720 the man who had died 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.859 came out, 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.380 his hands and feet 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.640 bound with linen strips 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.339 and his face 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.460 wrapped with a cloth. 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.380 And you can still 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:54.140 visit his tomb 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.900 in the West Bank. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:59.180 The Palestinian territory 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.980 within Israel, 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.960 the town has now 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.519 been renamed 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.140 by the Muslims 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.799 who lived there 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:04.519 as Al-Azaria 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.799 after Lazarus. 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.700 God reveals 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.200 the glory 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.700 of the Son of God 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.579 through our suffering 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.200 and death 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.359 and also through 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:15.279 our resurrection 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.059 and life. 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.220 And then finally, 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:19.639 also in Jesus' 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.659 death 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.960 and resurrection. 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:23.079 Because, 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.599 you see, 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.879 what Jesus is doing here 00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:26.139 presents a big, 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.259 seemingly insurmountable 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:30.339 theological problem. 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:33.720 because Romans 6.23 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.859 teaches that the wages 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.959 of sin 00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:36.959 is death. 00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:38.839 That's the proper wage 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.359 of sin. 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.179 It is death. 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.500 And Lazarus 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.899 is a sinner. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.559 And we're all sinners. 00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:46.559 Then how can Jesus 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.419 offer us 00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:47.839 resurrection 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.599 and the life? 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.379 What we deserve 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.459 is death. 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.639 That's the proper wage 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.119 of sin. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.399 How can God, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.159 who is the righteous 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:55.259 judge and ruler, 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.480 let the wicked 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.379 roam free? 00:30:57.380 --> 00:31:01.720 Imagine a drunk driver 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.720 rams into your 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.600 parked car. 00:31:06.540 --> 00:31:07.440 He could feel 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.080 really sorry, 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.720 but that doesn't 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.380 really make up 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:09.620 for it, 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:09.880 does it? 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.840 He could go to court 00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.420 and the judge 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:14.080 might unexplainably 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.820 pardon him, 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.280 but that still 00:31:16.280 --> 00:31:16.980 doesn't make up 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.220 for it, 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.600 does it? 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.860 Somebody has 00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:19.800 to pay the cost. 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:22.280 It's either 00:31:22.280 --> 00:31:22.900 going to be him 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.740 or you're going 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.520 to have to absorb 00:31:24.520 --> 00:31:25.260 the cost 00:31:25.260 --> 00:31:25.820 of the damages. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:27.119 Who is going 00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.039 to absorb 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.159 the cost 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:30.419 of sin? 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.759 It's death. 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.259 Who is going 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.000 to absorb that? 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.639 And we see hints 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.179 of this 00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:39.240 throughout the passage. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.339 Now backtrack 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.059 with me for a moment 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.379 to verses 9 and 10 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.500 because when Jesus 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.519 tells his disciples 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:44.960 that they're going 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.740 back to Judea 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:47.000 and they object 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.099 and sensibly 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.899 they object to this 00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:49.159 saying, 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:49.879 look, 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.819 do you not remember 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.220 they were just 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.819 trying to kill you 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.179 right there? 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.200 So what do you mean 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.839 let's go back 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.399 to Judea? 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.880 And Jesus says this, 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.259 are there not 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.680 12 hours in the day? 00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.900 If anyone walks 00:31:59.900 --> 00:32:00.480 in the day 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.660 he does not stumble 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.700 because he sees 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.880 the light of this world. 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.700 But if anyone 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.720 walks in the night 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.380 he stumbles 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.100 because the light 00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:08.600 is not in him. 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:09.940 So walking 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.580 in the day 00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.880 represents the time 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.340 when Jesus 00:32:12.340 --> 00:32:13.440 is with his disciples 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.240 because he's the light 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:14.720 of the world. 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:16.860 But his mention 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.640 of the night 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.140 when the light 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:18.820 is not with them 00:32:18.820 --> 00:32:19.759 suggests a night 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.580 that is coming. 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.620 And in fact 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.220 it is coming 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.040 very soon 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.559 and this night 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.460 represents the time 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.220 in the absence 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.740 of the light 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.159 of the world 00:32:26.159 --> 00:32:27.299 the intervening time 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.399 between Jesus' ascension 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:30.319 and the Holy Spirit's descent. 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.279 That time 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:31.819 that period 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.599 that the ministry 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.700 does not go forward. 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:34.680 And then so 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.359 Jesus says 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.139 that the night 00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:36.440 is 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.579 Jesus hints 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.019 that the night 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:38.539 is coming 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:40.019 and it's coming 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.639 very soon 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.159 because this is 00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:41.619 the last 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.740 and climactic miracle 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.159 that Jesus 00:32:43.159 --> 00:32:43.680 performs 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.639 before his death. 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.139 And so 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:48.079 Thomas speaks 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.960 better than he knows 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.440 when he says 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.180 in verse 16 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.420 let us also go 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.240 that we may die 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.820 with him. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.560 Jesus is going 00:32:54.560 --> 00:32:55.000 to die. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.180 And the presence 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.100 of many Jews 00:32:59.100 --> 00:32:59.580 right in verses 00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.220 18 to 9 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.640 he said that 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:01.380 there were many 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.240 Jews there 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.640 mourning the death 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:04.380 of Lazarus. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.000 Right? 00:33:05.060 --> 00:33:05.740 And that's 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:07.200 also alarming 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.740 and it points 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.539 to what's going 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.060 to happen later 00:33:09.060 --> 00:33:10.160 because Jesus 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.960 is going to become 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.799 so popular 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.480 after this 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.539 and so many people 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:13.980 are going to be 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.519 following and 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.180 believing him. 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.720 This last miracle 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.259 becomes 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.940 and the witnessing 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:19.080 of the many Jews 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.700 that were there 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:21.140 is going to become 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:21.980 the last straw 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.600 that breaks 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.519 the camel's back. 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.960 It's going to 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.960 finally 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:27.799 bring the Jewish 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.200 leaders' 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.740 patience to its end 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:31.039 and they're going 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.819 to deliberately 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.580 start to plan 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:33.299 to kill Jesus 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:34.000 after this. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.259 So all of these 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:37.819 are pointing 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:39.240 and finally 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.059 this final sign 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.960 is in verse 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:42.240 33 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.340 because it tells us 00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:43.880 not only that 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:44.799 Jesus was indignant 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.700 in his spirit 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.680 it also says 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:46.980 that he was 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:48.100 greatly troubled 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:50.259 and that's the word 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.879 that's used 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:52.319 later in 1227 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.519 and 1321 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.859 to say that 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.919 Jesus was troubled 00:33:55.919 --> 00:33:56.879 in his spirit 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.879 as he contemplated 00:33:57.879 --> 00:33:58.740 his death. 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.539 So as Jesus 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.500 is indignant 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.399 at the death 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.119 and the sorrow 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:03.679 and the suffering 00:34:03.679 --> 00:34:04.559 of his people 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:06.279 he is also troubled 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.919 by what that entails 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:09.159 because the only way 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:09.900 he can raise them 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.839 from the dead now 00:34:10.839 --> 00:34:11.719 to promise them 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.259 the resurrection 00:34:12.259 --> 00:34:13.119 and the life now 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.019 is for him 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.799 to later pay 00:34:14.799 --> 00:34:15.460 the price 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.579 for him 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:17.119 to die 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:18.079 so he's troubled 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:20.539 in his spirit 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:24.619 because 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:27.559 in order to kill death 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:30.059 he who is the resurrection 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:31.139 and the life 00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:32.300 must die 00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:33.240 then 00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:34.039 the curse 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.800 will be reversed 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:40.240 and because 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:40.800 Jesus 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:42.440 is the resurrection 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.019 and the life 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.699 none of us 00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.199 can find 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:45.619 resurrection 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.019 and life 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.079 anywhere else 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.219 so if you're not 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.639 a believer 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.259 here with us 00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:49.559 this morning 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.239 you have to remember 00:34:50.239 --> 00:34:51.219 you cannot find 00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.780 that life 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:52.780 you cannot find 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.300 that resurrection 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:54.539 apart from him 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.139 you must 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.980 turn to him 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.039 there is no alternative 00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:00.860 and if you are 00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:02.219 already a Christian 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:02.800 you've entrusted 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:03.239 your life 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:03.739 to Jesus 00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:04.159 then let me 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.599 encourage you 00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.159 to daily 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.199 seek him 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.900 and grow 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.500 in your love 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.960 for him 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:09.360 because as we've 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:09.780 talked about 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.519 how you love him 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.179 and pursue him 00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.940 in this life 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.699 is going 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.500 to matter 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.639 in the next life 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:17.879 this was hard 00:35:17.879 --> 00:35:19.139 for you to understand 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.679 for a while 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.219 and I think 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:20.799 maybe a couple 00:35:20.799 --> 00:35:21.279 illustrations 00:35:21.279 --> 00:35:21.980 might be helpful 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.440 for you 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:24.199 imagine a sprinter 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:25.179 he's an Olympic 00:35:25.179 --> 00:35:25.719 sprinter 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:27.539 he's dedicated 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.480 his entire life 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.579 to that one race 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:31.279 he's subordinated 00:35:31.279 --> 00:35:32.339 his relationships 00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:33.639 his routines 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.599 all of it 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.319 so that he can 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.179 win that race 00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:37.179 and finally 00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:38.099 the day has come 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:39.239 and he races 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:40.799 and his body 00:35:40.799 --> 00:35:41.319 is prepared 00:35:41.319 --> 00:35:41.799 for this 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.759 he's got air 00:35:42.759 --> 00:35:43.139 in his lungs 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:43.819 he sprints 00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.739 and he's faster 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.419 than anybody else 00:35:45.419 --> 00:35:46.179 and he crosses 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:46.939 that finish line 00:35:46.939 --> 00:35:48.719 and just tears 00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.799 streaming down 00:35:49.799 --> 00:35:50.179 his face 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.719 I'm sure you guys 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:51.239 have seen this 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:51.659 if you've seen 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.059 the Olympics 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:53.459 because of 00:35:53.459 --> 00:35:54.339 the reward 00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:55.179 of all that 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:55.599 commitment 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:57.299 all that sacrifice 00:35:57.299 --> 00:35:58.659 all that dedication 00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:00.219 just now floods him 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:01.959 as he's rewarded 00:36:01.959 --> 00:36:03.019 that joy 00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:05.179 now imagine 00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:06.019 in contrast 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:07.379 that I somehow 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:09.599 by a stroke of luck 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.340 or a miracle 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:11.180 by God 00:36:11.180 --> 00:36:12.880 won that Olympic race 00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.860 now 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.579 I'm going to be happy 00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.000 sure 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:18.660 but I'm not going to have 00:36:18.660 --> 00:36:20.460 that joy 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:22.079 that gratification 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:23.619 that satisfaction 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:25.099 that that Olympic sprinter 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.180 who dedicated his life 00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:26.660 to that race 00:36:26.660 --> 00:36:27.099 will have 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:28.079 do you understand 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.539 what I'm saying 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:34.880 think about it 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:36.320 this way 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.180 an alternative way 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.919 think about someone 00:36:37.919 --> 00:36:38.579 you love 00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.359 really 00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:40.960 a lot 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.159 you love very much 00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:43.239 and then imagine 00:36:43.239 --> 00:36:44.319 having to be separated 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:45.079 from that person 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.940 for a long time 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:47.440 so you have your 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:47.859 regular 00:36:47.859 --> 00:36:49.539 you know 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.279 phone calls 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:51.339 and Skype dates 00:36:51.339 --> 00:36:53.099 but everyday 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.940 you pine 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.199 to be with that person 00:36:55.199 --> 00:37:00.679 and 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.779 imagine 00:37:01.779 --> 00:37:03.399 the day finally comes 00:37:03.399 --> 00:37:04.679 when you're reunited 00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:06.279 with that person 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:07.280 you run 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:08.060 into each other's 00:37:08.060 --> 00:37:08.540 arms 00:37:08.540 --> 00:37:09.320 you embrace 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:10.680 and tears 00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:11.160 streaming down 00:37:11.160 --> 00:37:11.660 your face 00:37:11.660 --> 00:37:12.560 because you love 00:37:12.560 --> 00:37:13.080 that person 00:37:13.080 --> 00:37:13.980 you're reunited 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.700 with that person 00:37:14.700 --> 00:37:17.120 and now 00:37:17.120 --> 00:37:18.460 contrast that 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.860 imagine 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.519 that 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:21.360 you're separated 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.120 from a friend 00:37:22.120 --> 00:37:23.580 that you like 00:37:23.580 --> 00:37:24.140 but I mean 00:37:24.140 --> 00:37:25.180 you don't care 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:25.720 too much 00:37:25.720 --> 00:37:27.900 and then you 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.840 finally reunite 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.180 I mean 00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:29.920 hey 00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.540 that's good 00:37:30.540 --> 00:37:31.019 to see you 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.380 you know 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:33.119 but there isn't 00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:34.139 that love 00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:35.119 the joy 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:37.219 the expectation 00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:41.539 heaven's going 00:37:41.539 --> 00:37:42.119 to be similar 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:45.000 remember the greatest 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:45.780 commandment of our Lord 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:46.619 is to love him 00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.820 with all our heart 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:48.239 soul mind 00:37:48.239 --> 00:37:48.659 and strength 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:49.360 and every Christian 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.219 will be rewarded 00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:51.239 every one of us 00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:51.980 every Christian 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.519 will be rewarded 00:37:52.519 --> 00:37:53.519 with perfect union 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.059 with Christ 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:55.039 and through him 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:56.039 perfect fellowship 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.059 with the triune God 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:58.820 and we will each 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:00.360 be fully satisfied 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:01.679 in our 00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:02.840 respective 00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.699 capacities 00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:07.480 but our capacities 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:08.460 for enjoying 00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.320 the glories 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:10.440 and the beauties 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:10.820 of Christ 00:38:10.820 --> 00:38:11.519 are not going 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.320 to be the same 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:17.840 because that depends 00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:18.920 on how we loved him 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:19.860 and served him 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.500 in this life 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:24.519 there's some of you 00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:24.840 here 00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:26.420 just the thought 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.480 of being reunited 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.019 with Christ 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:29.180 brings you to tears 00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:31.860 and there's some 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:32.119 of you 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:33.579 who really haven't 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.079 thought about it 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:34.440 too much 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:37.000 it's going to matter 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:41.360 that's what 00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.400 2 Corinthians 5 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.039 10 implies 00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:44.019 for we must all 00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:45.079 stand before Christ 00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:45.700 to be judged 00:38:45.700 --> 00:38:47.180 and we will each 00:38:47.180 --> 00:38:48.380 receive whatever 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.360 we deserve 00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.220 for the good 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:50.760 or evil 00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:51.420 we have done 00:38:51.420 --> 00:38:52.680 in this earthly body 00:38:52.680 --> 00:38:53.920 everything we do 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.720 in this earthly body 00:38:54.720 --> 00:38:55.519 will matter 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.539 and God will repay 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:57.519 as we deserve 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.900 1 Corinthians 3 00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.619 13-15 00:38:59.619 --> 00:39:00.659 is even more specific 00:39:00.659 --> 00:39:01.300 it says that 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:02.300 on the judgment day 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:03.380 fire will reveal 00:39:03.380 --> 00:39:04.159 what kind of work 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:04.639 each builder 00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:05.179 has done 00:39:05.179 --> 00:39:06.579 the fire will show 00:39:06.579 --> 00:39:07.559 if a person's work 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.300 has any value 00:39:08.300 --> 00:39:09.539 if the work survives 00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:09.980 that builder 00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.980 will receive a reward 00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:12.019 but if the work 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.659 is burned up 00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:13.019 the builder 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.519 will suffer 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.440 a great loss 00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.360 the builder 00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:16.119 will be saved 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.759 but like someone 00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:18.019 barely escaping 00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:18.840 through a wall 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:19.480 of flames 00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:21.840 there will be a difference 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:23.000 on that final judgment 00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.880 there will be some 00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:24.500 who are saved 00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:25.320 but just themselves 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:26.500 with no lasting work 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.320 to show God 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:28.840 and there will be some 00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.460 who are saved 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.039 and rewarded 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.719 for the work 00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:31.420 they have done 00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:36.099 Jonathan Edwards 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:38.480 in his book 00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:38.960 entitled 00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:40.320 Charity and Its Fruits 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:42.099 there's a chapter 00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:43.059 in the whole book 00:39:43.059 --> 00:39:43.699 at the end 00:39:43.699 --> 00:39:44.260 called Heaven 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.179 a World of Love 00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:46.039 and there he 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:47.059 writes about heaven 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:47.840 and he writes 00:39:47.840 --> 00:39:48.340 about this 00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:48.659 he says 00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.859 though all are 00:39:49.859 --> 00:39:50.739 perfectly free 00:39:50.739 --> 00:39:51.500 from pride 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:52.699 yet as some 00:39:52.699 --> 00:39:53.500 will have greater 00:39:53.500 --> 00:39:54.379 degrees of divine 00:39:54.379 --> 00:39:55.359 knowledge than others 00:39:55.359 --> 00:39:56.159 and will have 00:39:56.159 --> 00:39:57.219 larger capacities 00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:58.199 to see more 00:39:58.199 --> 00:39:59.059 of the divine 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.899 perfections 00:39:59.899 --> 00:40:00.920 so they will see 00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:01.799 more of their own 00:40:01.799 --> 00:40:02.779 comparative littleness 00:40:02.779 --> 00:40:03.879 and nothingness 00:40:03.879 --> 00:40:04.819 and therefore 00:40:04.819 --> 00:40:06.139 will be the lowest 00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.579 abased in humility 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:10.279 so we will all 00:40:10.279 --> 00:40:11.379 be fully satisfied 00:40:11.379 --> 00:40:12.179 in our respective 00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:12.779 capacities 00:40:12.779 --> 00:40:13.879 and remember 00:40:13.879 --> 00:40:14.779 that it's heaven 00:40:14.779 --> 00:40:15.859 there's no sin 00:40:15.859 --> 00:40:16.899 there's no pride 00:40:16.899 --> 00:40:18.039 there's no jealousy 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:18.619 or envy 00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.320 or comparison 00:40:19.320 --> 00:40:20.059 so we are 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:20.900 going to be 00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:21.679 perfectly happy 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:22.119 in our own 00:40:22.119 --> 00:40:22.599 capacities 00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:23.659 but there will 00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:24.480 be a difference 00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.579 in our respective 00:40:25.579 --> 00:40:26.619 capacities 00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:27.000 to be able 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:27.840 to enjoy God 00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:28.619 his glory 00:40:28.619 --> 00:40:29.739 and his beauties 00:40:29.739 --> 00:40:34.320 so then I urge you 00:40:34.320 --> 00:40:35.139 brothers and sisters 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.679 if we have no 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:37.259 justification 00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:38.480 for complacency 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:41.559 press on 00:40:41.559 --> 00:40:42.579 to win the prize 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.139 for which God 00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:43.820 has called you 00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:44.360 heavenward 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:45.179 in Christ Jesus 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:47.079 press in 00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:47.960 to follow Jesus 00:40:47.960 --> 00:40:48.760 to love him 00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:49.720 to pursue him 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:50.760 and the greater 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.780 the love 00:40:51.780 --> 00:40:53.460 that we have 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:54.280 for him 00:40:54.280 --> 00:40:55.440 the more glorious 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.119 joyful 00:40:56.119 --> 00:40:57.199 and beautiful 00:40:57.199 --> 00:40:58.099 that final 00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:59.179 blissful union 00:40:59.179 --> 00:40:59.780 with him 00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:01.220 will be 00:41:01.220 --> 00:41:03.440 so let's look forward 00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:04.260 to that resurrection 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:04.800 and our life 00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:06.039 and live in light 00:41:06.039 --> 00:41:07.139 of that day 00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:09.079 let me pray for us 00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:14.299 God we want 00:41:14.299 --> 00:41:15.940 to be people 00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:17.380 who are defined 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:19.380 not by 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:22.519 earthly life 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:23.840 fleshy life 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:26.199 but by the life 00:41:26.199 --> 00:41:27.039 of the spirit 00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:29.759 by resurrection life 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:31.960 so won't you 00:41:31.960 --> 00:41:32.460 please 00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:33.820 capture our 00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:34.540 imaginations 00:41:34.540 --> 00:41:36.060 transform 00:41:36.060 --> 00:41:36.800 our hearts 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:37.620 affections 00:41:37.620 --> 00:41:38.860 so that we 00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:39.400 love you 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.400 truly more 00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:40.960 than anything 00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:41.780 else in the world 00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:42.440 so that we 00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:43.300 truly love you 00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:43.820 with all our 00:41:43.820 --> 00:41:44.420 heart soul 00:41:44.420 --> 00:41:44.920 mind 00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:45.900 and strength 00:41:45.900 --> 00:41:48.360 so that we 00:41:48.360 --> 00:41:48.560 can 00:41:48.560 --> 00:41:49.280 so that that 00:41:49.280 --> 00:41:50.420 reunion with you 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:51.560 is sweet 00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:57.420 help us God 00:41:57.420 --> 00:41:58.039 in Jesus name 00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:58.420 we pray 00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:59.219 amen