Perspective (The “I Am” Sayings)

The Thunderbird application has five default tags for messages: important, work, personal, to do, and later. The tags serve as reminders to maintain a proper perspective each day, to identify which tasks are the priority. John 11 reveals how Jesus’ sense of urgency is fundamentally different from the average person.

“Now a certain main was sick, Lazarus of Bethany” (v. 1a). His two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word of the illness to Jesus. Next are what seem to be irreconcilable statements: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was” (vv. 5-6). A sick man died while Jesus delayed His appearance; yet His postponement was not because of indifference, but was in harmony with divine purpose (vv. 3-10). Jesus’ delay in coming to Jerusalem to raise Lazarus from the dead was not determined by what seemed an emergency, but would be for the glory of God. It was based entirely upon submission to His Father’s will (vv. 4, 7, 9).

One might object to having enough hours in the day to accomplish tasks; yet Scripture emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and depending upon God’s plans, as opposed to one’s own boastful plans. God is sovereign over life, and all humanity is accountable to Him (Dan 4:1-37). William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invictus” conveys the false thinking that one can live independent of God. Henley wrote of those who say to themselves,” I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” According to such a view of self, the requirements of a holy God—if He even exists—are irrelevant: “it matters not how strait the gate.” The speaker in the poem “Invictus” does not fear death (“the Horror of the shade”), nor is there any concern with regard to judgment for sin (“how charged with punishments the scroll”).

Why would one have such a perspective as Henley? Certainly not because of a relationship with the Lord God and Savior, but as a consequence of one’s own perceived strength of determination to prevail. With such sentiment, the soul is “unconquerable.” How foolish to live in that manner! How incredibly misguided! Nevertheless, such thoughts are seductive.

James 4:14a and 15 declares, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow…. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” God demands that one consult Him with every intention, seeking His wise direction to discern what is truly important. If not careful, the urgent results in confused priorities. Focusing upon God will result in the proper perspective.

MUST WORK

(John 11:1-46) The miracle recorded in John 11 is the last of seven signs (that John recorded) to prove that Jesus is the Messiah. It is the greatest revelation of His identity. Jesus demonstrated His authority over humanity’s last enemy: death (cf. 5:21, 25, 28; 11:25-26; 1 Cor 15:20-26). The raising of Jairus’ daughter is a reported miracle in the Synoptic Gospels, and the raising of the widow’s son from Nain is recorded in Luke’s Gospel. In the first miracle, death has just ensued, and a single day occurred in the second. Lazarus, however, was dead for four days.

The Son of God did not find any of the incidents more difficult to restore life, yet it is certainly impressive to know the progressed complexity (humanly speaking) with Lazarus. The miracle is recorded in John’s Gospel only and, like so many other features, demonstrates his purpose for readers to “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). A request was brought to Jesus (11:1-3), yet He deliberately allowed Lazarus to die (vv. 4-6). John recorded the certainty of his death (v. 39).

Jesus’ decision to return to Judea was courageous because of the opposition from the religious leaders, and seemed foolish to His disciples (vv. 7-8). Jesus responded by indicating the work He needed to accomplish (vv. 9-10). The Jews and the Romans commonly regarded time in twelve-hour increments. Work was accomplished during the daylight, which metaphorically referred to the Father’s will (v. 9). So long as the disciples followed Jesus, the Light of the world, they would not stumble, as opposed to those without divine authority or sight (v. 10).

Jesus used a common biblical metaphor (“sleep”) to speak plainly of Lazarus’ death (vv. 11-15). He would soon “awaken him out of sleep” (v. 11). The notion that people would awaken from sleep was associated with the last days (Dan 12:2), which Martha later mentioned (John 11:24). None expected Lazarus to rise from the dead prior to that end time. The disciples failed to understand Jesus’ intent (v. 13). Nevertheless, they would see Jesus fulfill a promise of God for the future.

Thomas is commonly referenced as “doubting” because of his resistance to believe in Jesus’ later resurrection, which was likely prompted by profound grief more than anything else (20:24-29). In John 11, however, Thomas’ loyalty is courageous, as he expected Jesus and the other disciples to be dead prior to the end of their journey (v. 16). Understanding his destiny was uncertain, Thomas manifested a readiness to share in that peril with Jesus. Although lacking in understanding, he was devoted to the Person of the Lord Jesus (as all believers should be).

Jesus arrived at Bethany in Judea, where He greeted Martha and Mary (vv. 17-22). “Even now” (v. 22) is a great disposition for prayer. Resurrection at the last day will be in accordance with Jesus’ power; thus, He could raise Lazarus in the present moment (v. 23). Jesus made another one of His seven “I am” statements, declaring Himself “the resurrection and the life” (v. 25), which (respectively) means He will be victorious over death in addition to sustaining life. Everyone who believes in Jesus will live eternally and spiritually even if physically deceased (v. 26). Resurrection will occur subsequent to death for everyone who believes and dies physically. Jesus grants eternal life presently.

Martha believed in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of God” (v. 27), and that He could do something, though she did not know what that would be. Jesus must have made an inquiry regarding Mary, because Martha said He was calling for her (v. 28). He apparently wanted to speak with both women privately (vv. 28-31). Mary made the exact same mild accusation as Martha (vv. 21, 32). Both sisters had faith in Jesus, yet struggled to understand His delayed arrival. People today wonder why their prayers are not answered as desired. The delays are not denials but may result in glory to God and greater blessing later.

Jesus was “deeply moved” by the grief and tears (v. 33), even with anger, outrage, and indignation (Gk. enebrimēsato) at the consequences of sin and unbelief resulting from that fallen state. Jesus was also “troubled” (Gk. etaraxen), indicating agitation (cf. the same word usage in 12:27 and 13:21). His true humanity is evident in that Jesus asked the location of Lazarus’ tomb (11:34). “Jesus wept” (v. 35), yet unlike anyone else who isn’t able to do something regarding that grief, He did for Lazarus what He will do in the future for all the righteous dead (vv. 36-44). This resulted in two actions: faith (v. 45) and anxiety (vv. 46-48).

MUST DIE

(John 11:47-57) The words and works of Jesus continued to divide humanity (as they do today) into those who believe and those who deny Him (vv. 45-48). Though initially grievous, Lazarus being raised from the dead not only demonstrated God’s glory, but also led to the salvation of many. Patience in response to tragedy can be difficult; yet when learned, it may result in greater joy than expected through a quick relief.

The religious leaders feared the loss of their positions (v. 48). The arrogant Caiaphas, “who was high priest that year,” made a prophecy far beyond his understanding (vv. 49-52). He spoke not “on his own initiative” that Jesus would “die for the people” (vv. 50-51). Caiaphas urged the council to kill Jesus (v. 53), but the manner in which he did so was unconsciously prophetic.

Jesus would die vicariously as a substitute, though it would be according to “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). Jesus’ crucifixion was not the outcome of a human scheme; rather, it was the fulfillment of God’s purposes (v. 22). God’s foreknowledge did not excuse those who crucified Jesus—for they are regarded as “godless”—yet they were not the only ones responsible for Jesus’ death (cf. Matt 27:22; Luke 23:18). God restored Jesus to life, proving He is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Knowing the Lord’s “predetermined plan and foreknowledge” involves liability on the part of all people (cf. vv. 22-36). The doctrine of predestination and human responsibility are never to be separated. Action must be demanded when all the facts are presented (v. 40).

Jesus’ substitutionary atonement would extend beyond the Jewish nation to the Gentiles, His “other sheep” (John 10:16). Jesus died not only for Jewish believers, but also for all people without distinction. The entire world may be saved through Christ’s atoning work, which is an important emphasis when one considers the exclusivist tendencies that were common to the nation of Israel (i.e., the notion that God revealed Himself only to them, and thus, if one wanted to become a member of the family of God in the Old Testament, he/she had to become a Jew).

First John 2:2 indicates that the blessings of the Messiah are not uniquely and particularly applicable to Jewish believers. John refuted any such sectarian thinking and demonstrated that Gentiles are also recipients of Christ’s atonement. Jesus was not merely the propitiation for the sins of a small group of believers in Asia Minor, but for the children of God throughout the world.

Jesus is presently gathering “together into one the children of God” (11:52) who benefit from His atoning death. Jesus knew the plans of the council and withdrew from the Jews—not in fear, but because it was not the right time (v. 54). “His hour had not yet come” (7:30). The religious leaders sought to arrest Jesus at the Passover feast (11:56-57). The manner in which Jesus evaded their grasp proves His great wisdom. Belief or unbelief regarding Jesus still divides humanity.