WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.960 Well, thanks, Kate and David, and to Graham and Diego and all the guys who helped move the baptism tank. 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:10.800 ! It is a lot trickier than it looks. Believe me, I've done this for enough years. 00:00:11.339 --> 00:00:16.920 Folks, what a special passage we have. You need to get the Word of God, that passage open in front of you in John chapter 11. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:22.400 Whoever you are here this morning, whatever you think about the God of the Bible, come and meet Jesus. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:27.800 So John chapter 11 on your phone, you can grab one of the Q Bibles round about you. 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:30.880 So here is something to chew on this morning. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:36.799 See, to get us going, let me tell you about an observation that my friend once made about how we live our lives as human beings. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:38.980 Try this one on for size, see if you agree. 00:00:40.159 --> 00:00:45.700 They said, isn't it funny how people in our world spend their youth trying to get riches? 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:50.980 And when they're older, they spend those riches trying to get youth. 00:00:52.400 --> 00:00:56.820 Not looking at anyone in particular. I wonder what you make of that saying. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:03.100 The fact that £2.8 billion were spent on anti-aging products in the UK in 2024. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:10.000 A figure expected to rise to over £5.5 billion by the year 2033 would suggest that there's something in it. 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:12.900 If you're looking for an investment this morning, Clarence. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:18.400 Here's another observation for you, one of my own. 00:01:18.820 --> 00:01:20.000 This thing is always interesting. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:25.600 Isn't it funny how just a few generations ago, before our current one, 00:01:26.520 --> 00:01:29.800 a generation who were emerging from war, 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:36.420 who had a sobering appreciation of the fragility and the uncertainty of life, 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:40.420 death was a topic that people were up for talking about, 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:43.359 and yet sex was the great taboo. 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:47.180 Isn't it interesting, just a few generations later, 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:49.659 how that has totally flipped? 00:01:50.740 --> 00:01:53.500 How everyone wants to talk about sex, 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:57.299 you cannot escape it in our highly sexualised culture, 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:00.240 and yet no one wants to talk about death. 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:05.219 Again, what do you make of that? 00:02:06.339 --> 00:02:12.719 Our world offers us little by way of a grid through which to make sense of death. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:16.859 For example, here's John Harris writing in The Guardian a few years ago. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:22.000 During the COVID pandemic, himself, a self-confessed atheist 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:24.939 who ticks that no religion box in the recent census, 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:26.919 he said this during COVID. 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:31.340 He said, like millions of other faithless people, 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:37.240 I have not even the flimsiest of narratives to project onto what has happened, 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:45.159 nor any real vocabulary with which to talk about the profundities of life and death. 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:46.919 Again, what do you make of what he's saying? 00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:52.059 The fact that our lives, they have an expiry date, 00:02:52.259 --> 00:02:55.459 is the elephant in the room. 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:58.719 And as someone pointed out to me recently, 00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:01.000 how do you avoid an elephant in the room? 00:03:01.859 --> 00:03:04.500 You cover it in 10,000 post-it notes. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.739 Yeah, what is a post-it note? 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:10.599 Something I need to do. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:12.119 Right? 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:14.019 How do we avoid thinking about this stuff? 00:03:14.020 --> 00:03:17.380 We get busy in our lives. 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:19.180 Isn't that amazing? 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:22.960 I find it incredible how you could watch yesterday, 00:03:23.040 --> 00:03:24.420 and I did watch a little bit of it, 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:27.160 the analysis of that Scotland game yesterday. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:31.500 And we're talking about it for hours and hours and hours, 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:35.480 and statistics and variables and selections. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:39.140 A podcast for hours and hours and hours. 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:41.160 Analysis coming out your ears. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.859 And yet isn't it interesting that people in our world today 00:03:43.859 --> 00:03:47.060 could not give you three sentences on what life is all about? 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:51.419 Really interesting time in which we live. 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:56.120 Well, into our coffin-shaped conundrum 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:00.060 steps Jesus in this passage. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:04.340 And at a funeral of all places, 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:09.219 Jesus flips the entire way of life as we know it. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.640 He flips it on its head. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:14.860 Spoiler alert, 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:18.120 a man comes back from the dead. 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:22.459 Which means, C.S. Lewis was right, 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:28.000 that Christianity, if false, is of no importance. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:32.819 And if true, it's of infinite importance. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:34.720 The only thing that it cannot be 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:37.800 is moderately important. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:42.300 So if you've got the text there in front of you, 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:44.540 come and learn, whoever you are here today, 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:48.779 come and learn three things about Jesus in this passage. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:49.720 Here's the first one. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:54.959 It's that we can trust fully in his perfect timing. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.680 Now, this is a thrilling bit of narrative, 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:58.319 so come with me and see it. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:00.099 We pick it up at verse one. 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:02.339 We're going to go quickly here. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:06.219 Do you see how we learn that one of Jesus' friends, 00:05:06.539 --> 00:05:07.859 a man called Lazarus, 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:09.139 is sick? 00:05:10.599 --> 00:05:12.179 Love that Jesus had friends. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:15.479 Here's one of them sick. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:18.099 Lazarus lives in a town called Bethany. 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:21.439 Lazarus has two sisters. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.699 Their names are Mary and Martha. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:25.680 Again, all these details show the validity 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:26.899 of this episode, right? 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:30.360 Verse five, John wants us to know that Jesus, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:32.060 what, how did he feel towards them? 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.360 He loved them. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:35.620 You see that? 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:39.779 And by giving us that little detail right up top, 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:42.519 John is telling us that everything 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:44.199 that's about to unfold here 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:49.860 flows from Jesus' deep love for these three. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:55.259 Lazarus is sick. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:57.540 Prognosis, critical. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:58.480 Do you see it? 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.319 And in desperation, 00:06:01.840 --> 00:06:04.100 the sisters send word to Jesus. 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:05.199 Do you see that verse three? 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:07.460 Come. 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:11.340 We need you. 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:13.100 You've got to get here. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:14.020 Now question, 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.800 how would you respond to something like that? 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:21.379 Remember when my uncle, 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:23.360 he died a few Christmas times ago, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.079 Christmas time 2023. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:28.800 He died on the, 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:31.340 he had a heart attack on the 22nd of December, 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:32.180 never came around. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:33.980 Died on the 23rd. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:34.300 We were, 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:38.240 yeah, 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.120 we were opening presents from him on Christmas day. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:40.800 Really weird. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:42.040 Really weird. 00:06:43.460 --> 00:06:44.100 Thing is, 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:46.720 as soon as I heard that we weren't talking days, 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:50.500 we were talking hours and we were talking, 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:51.220 not hours, 00:06:51.320 --> 00:06:52.140 we were talking minutes. 00:06:52.260 --> 00:06:53.780 I got in the car here and I went. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:56.260 It's what we do, 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:56.680 isn't it? 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:58.280 When you hear something like that, 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:01.220 you drop everything and you go. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.580 Jesus hears that news, 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:07.220 verse six, 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:10.580 that someone that he loves is dying. 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:16.740 And get your head around the fact that he says, 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:18.620 I'm staying here two more days. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.360 And his reason, 00:07:23.539 --> 00:07:24.139 verse four, 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:25.599 doesn't leave them in the dark. 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:26.279 His reason, 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:26.979 verse four, 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:31.120 is that so his glory would be displayed. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:35.079 So that the disciples in this moment would learn something about him. 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:39.199 That they would learn no other way. 00:07:41.039 --> 00:07:42.180 So this God, 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:43.259 this is how he works. 00:07:43.359 --> 00:07:44.719 This is Isaiah 55. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:46.659 If you know the Bible story, 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:47.819 this God, 00:07:47.919 --> 00:07:51.180 his ways are so much higher than our ways. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:53.439 His thoughts, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.379 his intentions are so much greater than our thoughts and intentions. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:01.579 And when things don't make sense to us, 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:07.439 we can fall back on his steadfast and wonderfully good love towards us. 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:12.959 Because Jesus loves us, 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.000 just like he loves Lazarus, 00:08:16.159 --> 00:08:17.139 Mary and Martha, 00:08:17.339 --> 00:08:21.600 he will use the darkest moment in their lives 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:25.920 to teach them some of the deepest truths about him. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:28.819 And from this, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:30.840 it gets me every time I read this. 00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:36.300 Because I underestimate just how committed Jesus is to me. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.320 And to you. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.820 And when it doesn't make sense to us, 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:48.039 we can trust that he loves us. 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.879 Some of you will have grown up. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:50.840 You remember that hymn writer, 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:51.720 William Cowper? 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:53.519 He had that wonderful chorus. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:57.120 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.819 but trust him for his grace. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.439 Behind a frowning providence, 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.139 he hides a smiling face. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.360 This Jesus, 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:09.259 we can trust fully in his perfect timing. 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:12.299 And then secondly, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:14.120 this Jesus, 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:17.720 we can lean fully into his gentle heart. 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:21.080 So do you see how back in the story here, 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:25.000 another 48 hours pass. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:30.100 Which means by the time Jesus and his disciples, 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.300 they get to Bethany. 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:34.340 Lazarus has been in this condition. 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:37.060 Four days. 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:41.160 Now if you've been in one of these moments, 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:43.440 you will know how slowly time goes. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.820 Four days. 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:46.019 Four days. 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:50.980 And when Jesus and his disciples get there, 00:09:51.060 --> 00:09:55.180 do you see how they encounter just the scene of deep grief? 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.680 People are here weeping. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:09:59.940 People are mourning. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.700 People are pouring out their souls. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:04.899 People are consoling each other. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:09.200 And slap bang in the middle of the scene are Mary and Martha. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:09.720 Do you see? 00:10:11.720 --> 00:10:13.759 Who are utterly shell shocked. 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:16.160 What has just happened. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:22.199 The painful reality that's just played out in front of them. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:25.279 And when they eventually see Jesus, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:26.539 and you need to see this, 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:30.120 isn't it interesting that they both make 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:33.139 exactly the same point to Jesus? 00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:38.339 It's not a point that's meant to invite deep discussion. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:43.460 It's a point that's meant to convey deep pain. 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:46.060 Do you see Martha makes it at verse 21, 00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:48.180 and then Mary makes it at verse 32. 00:10:48.300 --> 00:10:50.240 Just maybe put your finger on both of those ones. 00:10:50.800 --> 00:10:55.019 21 verse 21 and verse 32. 00:10:55.019 --> 00:11:07.340 Do you hear it in their voices? 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:10.779 The emotion, the pain, the questions. 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:13.199 Where were you, Jesus? 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:16.879 In our darkest moment, you were a no-show. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:19.960 I thought that you loved us. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:23.340 Maybe you were just making the whole thing up. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.559 Where were you if you had been here? 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.240 You ever been there? 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.439 If you had been here. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:37.399 Well, isn't it intriguing that Jesus responds 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.139 to their exact same question 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:42.860 in profoundly different ways? 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.360 Have you ever noticed this before? 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:44.419 No. 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.720 Same question. 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:52.779 Jesus doesn't do a cut, copy-cut, paste response. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.879 Could it be that Jesus perceives 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.019 that Martha's biggest need in this moment 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:02.620 is to know that he's in control? 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:07.519 Whereas Jesus perceives that Mary's biggest need 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:11.500 in this moment is to know that he cares. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.139 I wonder which one are you this morning? 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:22.679 Martha, who has some understanding, verse 24, 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:25.879 of a resurrection that's going to happen 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.820 in the last day. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.740 So she's got some concept of that. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.600 She'll have got that, I imagine, 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.600 from the book of Job, 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.039 which you'll find in the Old Testament, 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:34.539 a book all about suffering. 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.340 What does Job cling to? 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.659 He clings to the fact that my Redeemer lives. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:41.600 So Job is clinging to some idea 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:44.620 of a resurrection life after this life 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.659 in the end. 00:12:46.719 --> 00:12:48.199 So Martha's probably picked up 00:12:48.199 --> 00:12:49.360 on the thread of that, 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:51.139 and she says that. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.759 She says, 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:55.079 I know he will rise again on the last day. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:55.659 Do you see it? 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.419 Jesus says to her, though, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.279 I am, 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.779 and we don't have time to do this today, 00:13:02.839 --> 00:13:04.559 but he's using the divine title of God 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.159 for himself. 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:08.000 Put that in your back pocket if you want it. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:12.259 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:13:13.339 --> 00:13:15.240 So he takes the knowledge that she has 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.299 about an event that's going to happen 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:16.860 at the end, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.839 and if you like, 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:21.299 just imagine taking a plug out the socket. 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:23.360 He just takes it out of that, 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.399 and he plugs it into him. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.759 All the aspirations, 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:28.659 all the hopes, 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:30.079 all the longings about God 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.959 one day coming to make all things new, 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.220 he takes it and he plugs it into him. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.299 Martha, 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:39.399 I've got him. 00:13:40.959 --> 00:13:41.679 That's what he's saying. 00:13:41.859 --> 00:13:42.439 I've got him. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.199 But do you see, 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:46.899 verse 20, 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.299 Mary, 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.500 here's where we get Mary, 00:13:48.719 --> 00:13:50.539 and here's what I find fascinating about Mary, 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:53.839 how when Martha hears that Jesus is near, 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.240 she runs to him. 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:55.799 Do you see it? 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.919 She runs to him. 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:58.079 Jesus in the vicinity, 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:58.679 going. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:13:59.979 Mary, 00:14:00.099 --> 00:14:00.979 on the other hand, 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:03.000 she stays at home. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.339 Isn't that intriguing? 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:08.899 Can I read between the lines a little bit? 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:14.840 That could it be that Mary is so disillusioned with Jesus, 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:19.100 that she cannot bring herself to go to him? 00:14:22.680 --> 00:14:23.680 Verse 28, 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.700 Martha returns, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.000 and she says to Mary, 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.639 the teacher, 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.460 again, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:30.500 it just tells you how highly they regard to Jesus. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.400 The teacher is here. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:33.100 He's calling for you. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.759 Jesus knows. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.699 Do you see in this moment? 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:39.220 He knows exactly what's going on in Mary's heart, 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:42.079 and he's calling her to come to him. 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.079 Isn't that a wonderful thing? 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:46.500 Jesus calls us to come to him with our pain, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.819 and our questions, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.720 and our prayers. 00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:50.639 He's big enough to take it. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.959 He knows what's going on in Mary's heart. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.500 Mary, 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.500 come. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:57.200 And in a flash, 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.379 she's up and she's running. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:00.419 Do you notice how other people notice it? 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.940 See how quickly she got up and ran? 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:04.360 And she falls at the feet of Jesus, 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:06.080 and the floodgates open, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:08.500 and it all comes bursting out of her. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.340 And for the eggheads out there, 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:18.840 what follows is the shortest verse in the Bible. 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:24.179 Slip that in your back pocket for next time you're at a pub quiz, okay? 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.960 Shortest verse in the Bible, 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:26.820 but make no mistake, 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.080 it's one of the most profound. 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:30.659 Do you see those two words? 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.899 Jesus wept. 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.299 Now, is that not incredible? 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:42.240 To Mary, he didn't say, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:44.799 come on, I've just told Martha that I'm the resurrection and life. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.259 Come on. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.620 Jesus wept. 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.700 It doesn't say anything. 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.779 Jesus wept. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:55.299 So as Jesus sees this scene, 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:59.959 as he sees death yield its teeth, 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:01.959 the death that's in our world, 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.360 according to the Bible story, 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.860 because of our sin, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.959 our rebellion against our creator, 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:09.519 and the fracturing of that. 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:12.159 Death is in our world 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:15.959 because of our rebellion against our creator. 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:18.019 Jesus sees this, though, 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:20.800 and he is incensed. 00:16:20.900 --> 00:16:23.480 So his tears here are not crocodile tears. 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:26.139 His tears here are a love of, 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.860 are a mixture of love, 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.680 determination, 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.920 and outrage. 00:16:31.420 --> 00:16:32.500 Jesus wept. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:35.240 You're not so grateful for a Jesus like that. 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:41.620 I mean, can you imagine if he was stone cold at this point? 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:45.600 Like some kind of James Bond from above, 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:49.919 sent on a mission with instructions from M, 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:53.080 not to get too emotionally involved, 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:54.320 attached to people, 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.399 keep your distance. 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.980 Because if your heart goes out to somebody, 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:00.960 it might hinder your ability to make decisions and calls. 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:04.420 Are you not so glad that Jesus is not like that? 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.400 We do not have an arm's length, Jesus. 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:11.100 His tears are proof of the truth 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:15.400 that this is not the way it was supposed to be. 00:17:17.320 --> 00:17:20.259 And I wonder whether our problem as human beings 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:24.300 is that we've got so good at pretending that it is. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.640 And personally, I blame Elton John. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.220 I blame that song, 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:33.279 The Circle of Life That Moves Us All, 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.879 because the thing is, 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.259 I tell you what, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:38.259 see, when I was here at my uncle's bedside, 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.759 the song, 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:42.899 The Circle of Life That Moves Us All, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.319 that was no comfort for me whatsoever. 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:48.660 We kind of make our peace with this idea of death 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:50.680 is just this natural thing that happens. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.920 And the Bible would say, 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.180 not at all. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:18:00.360 Jesus gives us permission here to know what we instinctively know to be true 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:02.360 deep down at every funeral we attend, 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:06.920 as we watch every friend who's going through horrendous suffering, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:11.860 as we've tried to process every tragedy that we ourselves has lived through, 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:14.740 that this isn't right. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:17.420 And we need to allow, 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.240 often, 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:21.940 the Bible's language to wash off on us. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.440 Death, according to the Bible, 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:27.900 is an unwelcome intruder in God's good creation. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.019 Paul would call it the last enemy. 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:33.539 Do you see, 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:36.980 our world doesn't know how to properly mourn. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:42.519 And yet here is Jesus giving us a model 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:45.539 of how to process our grief. 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:51.500 He gives us permission to join him in his tears 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:55.480 and know that this is not right. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:58.660 We can, can't we? 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:02.140 We can so often just skip over that mourning process 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:04.500 that happens when something like this goes on in our lives. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:07.200 And Jesus here invites us to stop 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:10.259 and enter the depths of grief. 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.360 Join him in his tears 00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:13.860 and know that this is not the way 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:16.279 that it was supposed to be. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.420 And then here's the third thing 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.240 about Jesus. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:26.940 We can rely fully on his powerful words. 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.660 So you've got to see this. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.440 Verse 43. 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:34.039 Jesus, in the spirit of defiance, 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.420 he calls for the stone in front of Lazarus' tomb 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.319 to be rolled away. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:40.640 Have you got a KJV Bible there? 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:43.059 I love how the Old English puts this. 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.680 She says, 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.880 Lord, by this time surely he stinketh. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.680 It's great, isn't it? 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.819 But get your head around 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.279 what's going on in this moment. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:53.539 Verse 43. 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.279 Do you see it? 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.759 Jesus speaks into a tomb. 00:20:01.159 --> 00:20:02.019 He says, 00:20:02.379 --> 00:20:03.559 Lazarus, come out, 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.399 which is, 00:20:05.919 --> 00:20:06.799 has to be 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:09.619 the strangest thing ever 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.720 to have witnessed that. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:13.299 Here's that scene in Frozen. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.399 Is it Frozen 1? 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.640 where Christoph introduces Anna 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:19.220 to his troll friends 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:19.940 who in that moment 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.080 are just little stones 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.780 and you get, 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.840 is it Olaf says, 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.740 he's crazy. 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.180 That's this moment, 00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:28.759 isn't it? 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:31.519 It's utterly bizarre 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.940 that Jesus would speak 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.180 into a tomb. 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.200 But I tell you what, 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.140 it's more than bizarre. 00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.720 It is potentially 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.980 hugely insensitive. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:43.160 Talk about things 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.079 that you don't say 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.539 at a funeral. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.480 And yet Jesus 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.180 seems to be 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.220 deadly serious. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.640 Can I suggest 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.180 none of us 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.880 would want a God 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.720 who didn't care? 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.360 Can I equally suggest 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:59.000 that none of us 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.720 would want a God 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.279 who couldn't do 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.099 anything about it? 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.519 And here's what we need 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.920 to understand 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.420 what's going on 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:07.160 in the bigger Bible story, 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.560 very much in keeping 00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:09.620 with how it started 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:11.480 at the beginning. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.040 With God 00:21:14.040 --> 00:21:15.840 breathing life 00:21:15.840 --> 00:21:16.880 into Adam. 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.560 And Adam 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.340 becomes 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:22.480 a living being. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.000 Jesus speaks. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.340 Where does he speak? 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.100 Into the darkness. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.380 Into the chaos. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.400 Into the black pit 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.040 of despair. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.180 He speaks 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:36.160 and he breathes 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:37.519 life into Lazarus. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.200 Do you see it? 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.080 And the man 00:21:40.080 --> 00:21:41.400 who was verifiably 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.019 dead, 00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:43.640 which is presumably 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.700 why Jesus 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.920 waited four days, 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.680 in case you're 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.279 wondering that, 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.120 to help everyone 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:49.700 in this moment 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.960 see that Lazarus 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.600 didn't need 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.480 resuscitation. 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.880 Lazarus 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.820 needed resurrection. 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.860 Lazarus 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.560 in this moment, 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.460 his hands and feet 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.040 still bound 00:22:00.040 --> 00:22:00.800 with cloths. 00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.640 And I love John 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.940 kind of just 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.840 throwing adjectives 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:04.420 at this one 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.240 to help us understand 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.839 what's going on 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.359 in this moment 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.180 because it's bizarre. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.700 Lazarus 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.620 hobbles 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.440 out. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.220 You see it? 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.599 Lazarus 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.819 hobbles 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.440 out. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.880 There's your 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.180 adjective. 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.759 That's the verb, 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:17.000 isn't it? 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.420 Hobbles. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.380 And Jesus 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.740 says, 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.500 unbind him 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.799 and let him 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.099 go. 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.900 And so here's 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.599 your top story 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.259 on the Bethany 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.039 News at 6. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.620 Lazarus 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.000 lives. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.079 Lazarus 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.519 lives. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:35.099 See, 00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:35.480 as wonderful 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:35.859 as this 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.299 moment is 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.539 though, 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.500 Lazarus 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:40.839 one day 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.200 will die 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.599 again. 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.660 It's not 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:44.940 like he 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.319 obtains 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.099 immortality 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.440 at this 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:46.759 point, 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:47.940 from this 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.599 point on. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.839 But boy, 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.279 would life 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.519 have been 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:51.879 different 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.579 after this. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.519 Yeah? 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.559 For Lazarus, 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:56.960 for Mary, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.420 for Martha, 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:57.859 for those 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.700 onlookers, 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.259 boy, 00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.700 would life 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.000 have been 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.400 different. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:02.280 You know, 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:02.620 people, 00:23:03.040 --> 00:23:03.519 I've had 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.259 people ask 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.480 me, 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:04.740 and I'll 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:04.980 put it 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.420 to you, 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:08.680 if there 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.080 was one 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.740 world event 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.120 that you 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.360 would have 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:10.800 loved to 00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:11.040 have been 00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:11.440 at in 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.600 your 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:12.080 lifetime, 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:12.860 what would 00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:13.140 it have 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.400 been? 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.420 It's a 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:15.920 great question, 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.280 isn't it? 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.600 Collapse of 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.259 the Berlin Wall, 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.280 would love to 00:23:20.280 --> 00:23:20.580 have been at 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:20.940 that one. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.759 Signing of 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.360 the Declaration 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.080 of Independence, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.580 would love to 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:24.900 have been at 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.259 that one. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:25.840 Airdrie winning 00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:26.320 the Scottish 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.660 Cup in 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.300 1924, 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:27.660 you're all 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.080 thinking it, 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.460 we'll say 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:28.660 it. 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:30.600 But here's 00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:30.940 mine, 00:23:33.060 --> 00:23:33.620 Lazarus' 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:35.019 second 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.940 funeral. 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.500 Lazarus' 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.080 second 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.500 funeral, 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.060 because I 00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:44.880 don't imagine 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.420 the sense 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.100 of grief 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:48.980 felt by 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.620 all those 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:49.960 who would 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.120 have 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.620 attended 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.360 would be 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:51.880 any 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:54.500 less. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:57.839 but boy, 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.400 I imagine 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:58.900 the atmosphere 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.480 of hope 00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.759 would have 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.359 been fever 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:00.779 pitch. 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.019 And here's 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.539 why we 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:05.980 can have 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.680 so much 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.460 more confidence 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.579 even than 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.039 that. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:11.099 That level 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.660 of confidence 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.539 can be ours 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:12.940 today. 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.539 Because what 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.279 was wonderfully 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.440 foreshadowed here 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.380 with Lazarus 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:19.440 was a day 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.079 that was coming 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.779 not so long 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.380 after this 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.680 one. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.820 When another 00:24:23.820 --> 00:24:25.140 stone would 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.580 be rolled 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.680 away from 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.580 another tomb 00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:30.240 and another 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.640 man who 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.660 was verifiably 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:34.260 dead would 00:24:34.260 --> 00:24:35.460 walk out. 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.400 As Jesus 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:38.240 leaves that 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.060 tomb having 00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:40.200 verifiably 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.180 been dead, 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:44.060 dead on 00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:44.880 the cross, 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.460 dying there 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.260 for the sins 00:24:47.260 --> 00:24:48.040 of all those 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:48.420 who would 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.779 trust in 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.120 him. 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.279 Jesus 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.600 dies. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.779 On the 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.320 third day 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:54.800 Jesus 00:24:54.800 --> 00:24:56.000 rises. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.060 But unlike 00:24:59.060 --> 00:24:59.640 Lazarus, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.580 Jesus rises 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.960 and he's 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.779 now ascended 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.920 to the right 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.480 hand of God 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.920 the Father. 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:05.400 Unlike 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.960 Lazarus, 00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:06.560 Jesus will 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.500 never die 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.060 again. 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.180 And do you 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.340 know what 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:10.900 that means? 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.140 That means 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.759 if your hope 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.279 is in him 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.700 today, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.200 that your 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.720 life, 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.100 and this 00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:16.480 is what 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.960 we've 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.100 witnessed 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.700 today is 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.299 Tamsin's 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.720 life as 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.140 she's gone 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:21.259 down and 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.720 as she's 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.259 risen. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.039 The old 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.420 her has 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:23.799 gone, 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.340 the new 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.759 her has 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.039 come. 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:25.960 What is 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.319 it about 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.779 the new 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.059 her? 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.100 The new 00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:28.600 her is 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.220 totally 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.559 united to 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.079 Jesus. 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:33.960 Totally 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.200 united to 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.940 Jesus in 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.779 his death 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:38.000 and in 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.240 his 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.920 resurrection. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.779 The only 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.259 way that 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:40.660 Tamsin 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.140 can die 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.620 again as 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:41.900 it were 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.480 spiritually 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.319 is if 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.000 Jesus dies 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.360 again. 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.180 And that's 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.480 not going 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:45.960 to happen. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.360 Jesus 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.980 holds 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.340 her, 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:48.740 Jesus 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.319 holds 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.720 us, 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.200 and he 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.860 calls us 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.480 to live 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.160 in the 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.620 confidence 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.100 of his 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:53.620 resurrection 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.079 victory. 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.460 And so 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.840 the same 00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.440 question that 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.140 Jesus asked 00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.900 Martha right 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:02.400 there is 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:02.700 the one 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:02.940 that he 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.400 asks us 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.779 today. 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.000 Do you 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.460 believe? 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.259 You know, 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.700 just as we 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.120 close, we 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.700 started with an 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.440 observation about 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:12.680 life. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.079 Can I make 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.600 one more? 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:14.740 And I'll 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.140 leave you with 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.860 this thought as 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.420 we leave this 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.940 passage. 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:19.059 it's about 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.640 people in our 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.140 world right 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.740 now, stuff 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.019 that's been 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.480 playing out 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.000 this week. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.180 And it 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.420 got me 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:24.779 thinking. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.559 You know 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:27.940 our world 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.500 is full of 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.019 right now. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.140 It's full of 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.700 people with 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.360 lots of 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:31.740 power. 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.819 And no 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.180 love for 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.519 people. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.840 Because you've 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:39.299 got lots of 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.740 power and no 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.019 love for 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.440 people, what 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.660 are you 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.079 tempted to 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.440 do with 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.860 that power? 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.259 Not to 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.720 serve 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.059 others, but 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.539 to serve 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.000 yourself. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.440 people in 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:47.720 our world 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:47.980 just now 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.400 with all 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.920 sorts of 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.100 power. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.319 I mean, 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:50.100 that's what 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:51.039 is right at 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.500 the heart of 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.920 the Epstein 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.360 files. 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.180 People with 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.940 all sorts of 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.460 power, but 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.259 abusing that 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.100 power, not 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.480 to love 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.900 people, but 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.319 to serve 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.740 themselves. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.500 Our world 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.140 is full of 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.579 people like 00:26:59.579 --> 00:26:59.840 that. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.640 But the 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:01.420 flip side is 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.079 also true. 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.819 You've got 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.240 people in 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.620 our world 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.079 now with 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.319 all sorts of 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.720 love for 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.759 people, great 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.539 intentions, but 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.059 they've got no 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.779 power to do 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.519 anything about 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.539 those great 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.279 intentions and 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.579 love for 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:14.880 people. 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:17.800 Do you 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:17.920 know what 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.260 the wonderful 00:27:18.260 --> 00:27:18.700 thing about 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.480 John 11 is, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.020 is it shows 00:27:20.020 --> 00:27:20.480 us here. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.320 When it 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:23.960 comes to 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.160 perfect power 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:27.500 and perfect 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.000 love, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.020 Jesus is 00:27:31.020 --> 00:27:31.400 both. 00:27:35.280 --> 00:27:35.840 And he 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.540 invites us to 00:27:36.540 --> 00:27:37.160 know today that 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.060 if our faith is 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:38.500 in him, 00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:40.340 see in our 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.480 weakest moments, 00:27:42.040 --> 00:27:42.480 when we're 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.380 facing death 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:45.060 right squarely 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.840 looking at it 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.460 in the face, 00:27:46.520 --> 00:27:47.080 we can know 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.900 with confidence 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:50.680 that we're 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.480 held by the 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:53.140 strongest and 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.960 most loving of 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.420 saviors. 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:55.820 You know, 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.520 so grateful for 00:27:56.520 --> 00:27:56.800 Jesus. 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.140 He is the 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.900 resurrection and 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.260 the life. 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.740 Let me pray. 00:28:04.800 --> 00:28:05.240 Oh, 00:28:05.300 --> 00:28:05.580 our Father, 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.400 thank you so 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.000 much for your 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.380 word. 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.440 God, 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:09.700 and I pray 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.180 that you 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.780 would fill 00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:11.720 our hearts 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.900 with that 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.940 sense of 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.580 awe 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:17.780 as we 00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:18.340 take in 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.680 Jesus. 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.160 Father, 00:28:21.260 --> 00:28:21.840 help rid 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.780 us of the 00:28:22.780 --> 00:28:23.880 self-confidence 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.520 that so 00:28:24.520 --> 00:28:25.700 naturally comes 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.340 to us 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:29.399 and fill 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:29.939 us with a 00:28:29.939 --> 00:28:30.879 renewed love 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:33.019 for and 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.980 confidence in 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.319 Jesus. 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.359 Father, 00:28:36.439 --> 00:28:37.240 I pray that 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.139 whatever is 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:38.720 going on in 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.179 our lives 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:39.619 today, 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:42.119 that by your 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.679 spirit you 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.159 would remind 00:28:43.159 --> 00:28:43.859 those of us 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.220 who are 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.220 struggling perhaps 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.919 to know that 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.559 the Lord Jesus 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.539 is in control. 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.480 Fill us with 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.159 that sense, 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.799 that knowledge 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.759 that he is. 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.439 And perhaps 00:28:54.439 --> 00:28:55.079 others of us 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.379 struggling with 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:56.980 the thought 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.879 that he cares. 00:28:59.379 --> 00:28:59.859 Again, 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:00.299 would you be 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.819 bringing that 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.740 perfect knowledge 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.599 of his perfect 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.059 love and 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.759 commitment to 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.079 us? 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:06.859 So, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.039 Father, 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.500 we thank you 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.819 for this 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.059 morning. 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:08.759 We thank you 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.500 for Tamsin. 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:09.919 Thank you 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.460 for hearing 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.359 her story 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.639 about how 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.319 she has 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.559 come to 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.679 know Jesus 00:29:15.679 --> 00:29:16.579 for herself, 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.319 to find her 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.000 all in all 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.659 in him. 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:19.799 And Lord, 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.399 I pray that 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:21.059 this would 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.539 have been 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.240 such an 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.759 encouragement, 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.619 not just 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.220 for her, 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.299 and her 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.180 family and 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.900 her friends, 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.519 but for us 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.319 as a church 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.839 family. 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:30.960 Would you 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.880 renew in 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.579 us that 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.940 utter 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.559 confidence 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:37.000 that there's 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.559 none like 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:37.819 him? 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.680 And we pray 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.279 these things 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.759 in his 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.640 perfect and 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.019 in his 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.839 strong name. 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.019 Amen. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.160 Amen. 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.160 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:46.160 Amen. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.160 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.160 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.160 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:48.160 Amen.