“… when Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He GROANED IN THE SPIRIT AND WAS TROUBLED. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” JESUS WEPT. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:33-36)
Let us review what happened before this, “…the sisters (of Lazarus) sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is NOT UNTO DEATH, but for THE GLORY OF GOD, that THE SON OF GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED through it.” (John 11:3-4) THE REASON FOR LAZARUS’ TEMPORARY DEATH WAS TO BRING GLORY TO JESUS. “So, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, HE STAYED TWO MORE DAYS in the place where He was.” (John 11:6)
Jesus said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up. However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “LAZARUS IS DEAD. And I AM GLAD for your sakes that I was not there, THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” (John 11:11-15) IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVER THREE DAYS NOW.
“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days… Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him…Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother WOULD NOT HAVE DIED.” (John 11:17, 20-21) Martha had “YESTERDAY FAITH” in Jesus.
“Jesus said to her, “Your brother WILL rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:23-24) Martha had “TOMORROW FAITH” in Jesus. “Jesus said to her, “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, HE SHALL LIVE.” (John 11:25) Jesus wanted her to have “RIGHT NOW FAITH.” Jesus went through the same scenario with Mary. The reason Jesus came to them was to RAISE THEIR BROTHER from the dead, that was HIS PURPOSE! So, THE REASON JESUS WEPT was not because Lazarus died but that these very close friends did not believe JESUS COULD RAISE HIM UP TODAY!
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha said, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone. Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” He cried with a loud voice, “LAZARUS, COME FORTH!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:39-44)
THERE IS NEVER A TIME WHEN ANYTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham