1.Some would say only murder or some other atrocious act of violence.
2.However, the chief priests and the Pharisees determined to kill Jesus because He performed signs and miracles among them, leading the Jews to believe that He was the Christ.
B.Presently, let us consider the “final straw” that moved the Jewish council to condemn Jesus to death.It was the resurrection of Lazarus recorded in the eleventh chapter of John’s gospel.
II.THE MIRACLE – JOHN 11:1-44
A.The subject of the Lord’s miracle was a sick man named Lazarus.
1.Lazarus lived in the village of Bethany, about two miles southeast of Jerusalem (vv. 1, 18).
2.His sisters were Mary and Martha.
a.This is the same Mary who later anointed Jesus with costly oil (John 12:1-8).
b.These are also the same sisters who hosted the Lord in their home in Luke 10:38-42.
c.Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were all loved by Jesus (v. 3, 5), which indicates that the Lord had a special affection for them, likely because of their faithful reception of Him.
B.At first, when Jesus heard of the sickness of Lazarus, He did not go to help.
1.At the time of Lazarus’ sickness, Jesus and His disciples were in the land beyond the Jordan where John had baptized.They had recently escaped from the Jews in Jerusalem (John 10:39-40).
2.Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus, evidently appealing to Him to help their brother (v. 3).
3.However, Jesus did not immediately go to Lazarus, for He knew the purpose of the sickness (v. 4).
a.Lazarus was not sick by chance, but rather this was an opportunity for the glory of God and the glory of Jesus to be shown.This is the first of three statements by Jesus that reveal the purpose of these events.
b.Knowing this, Jesus delayed two days before leaving for Bethany (v. 6).
C.Before Jesus went to Bethany, He had a discussion with His disciples.
1.The disciples initially resisted the idea of returning to Judea (vv. 7-8).
a.They feared for the Lord’s life, for they knew that the Jews had tried to stone Him.
b.However, Jesus reassured them of the wisdom of His choice (vv. 9-10).He had not forgotten about the danger in Judea, but this was a time for work and not for hiding.
2.Jesus plainly explained to His disciples the purpose of these events (vv. 11-15).
a.Jesus knew that Lazarus had died, and He made this clear to the disciples.
i.It was important for the disciples to know for certain that Lazarus was dead so that they would be properly affected by the miracle of his resurrection.
ii.This is why Jesus said, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.”Because Jesus was not there, Lazarus died, and this created the opportunity for Him to raise Lazarus.
b.For the disciples, Jesus said the purpose of these events was “so that you may believe” (v. 15).This is the second of three statements by Jesus that reveal His purpose in these events.
3.At last, the disciples, led by Thomas, determined to go with Jesus, even though they expected to die (v. 16).
a.Obviously, the disciples were still thinking of the danger in Judea and did not grasp what Jesus was preparing to do.
b.It is interesting that they were prepared to die with Jesus at this time, but later they all abandoned Him.So it often is when the time comes to live up to one’s commitments.
D.When Jesus came to Bethany, Lazarus was already dead.
1.By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been buried for four days (v. 17).Therefore, no one could deny that he was truly dead, and he could only live again by the power of God.
2.When Martha heard that the Lord was coming, she went to meet Him (v. 20).
a.Notice by her words the great faith that Martha had in Jesus (vv. 21-22).
b.When Jesus declared that Lazarus would rise again, Martha expressed her belief in the final resurrection of the dead (vv. 23-24).
c.However, Jesus was not speaking of the final resurrection, but rather He spoke of what He was about to do.His answer reveals the great lesson of these events.
i.“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (vv. 25-26)
ii.The things that Jesus was about to do would prove His statement.
d.When Jesus asked Martha if she believed Him, her answer was the best and most noble answer that could be given (v. 27).
3.After this, Martha called Mary to Jesus, and Mary likewise expressed her faith in the Lord (vv. 28-32).
E.At last, Jesus performed a great miracle.
1.When the Lord saw Mary and the others who mourned for Lazarus, He was moved with compassion (vv. 33-35).
a.Some of the Jews were impressed with Lord’s love for Lazarus (v. 36).However, the Lord’s weeping was more for the mourners, for He knew that Lazarus would live again.
b.Others wondered if He could have saved Lazarus (v. 37).They would soon learn just what He could do.
2.Jesus came to the tomb and commanded that the stone be removed from the cave (vv. 38-39).
a.Martha’s response gave further proof that Lazarus was dead beyond any doubt.
b.Jesus reminded Martha of His earlier words regarding belief in Him (v. 40).He was about to display the glory of God.
3.Before the miracle, Jesus offered a prayer aloud for all to hear (vv. 41-42).
a.By addressing the Father in prayer, Jesus made it clear that these things were happening by the power of God.
b.The third statement of purpose is given here in reference to all of the witnesses, for Jesus said to the Father that these events occurred “that they may believe that Thou didst send Me.”
4.Finally, Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave (vv. 43-44).
a.With no hesitation, Lazarus came forth from the grave alive and well at Jesus’ call.The power of God was displayed for all to see.
b.Jesus did not do this in spectacular form.He did not do anything for the people that they could not do for themselves (removing the stone, unwrapping Lazarus).This was not simply a spectacle, but rather it was a notable work of God.
III.THE RESULTS – JOHN 11:45-57
A.All of the purposes of Jesus were accomplished by raising Lazarus from the grave (v. 45).God was glorified (v. 4), Christ was glorified (v. 4), the disciples believed (v. 15), and the Jews believed (v. 42).
B.However, these were not the only results (vv. 46-57).
1.Some of the witnesses to the miracle reported it to the Pharisees (v. 46).Therefore, the Pharisees and chief priests convened a council to determine what to do about Jesus (v. 47).
a.It is no wonder that men reject Jesus today, for these Jews readily admitted that great miracles had taken place among them through Jesus, but they responded by worrying over their place and their nation (vv. 47-48).
b.In the council, the high priest Caiaphas prophesied the truth of the sacrificial death of Jesus for the whole nation (vv. 49-52).
c.Therefore, they determined to kill Jesus (v. 53).Later, when they arrested and tried Jesus, His guilt had already been decided.
d.In fact, the resurrection of Lazarus was so significant and powerful that the council also determined to kill Lazarus to remove any evidence of the miracle (John 12:10-11).
2.As a result of the council’s resolve, Jesus no longer walked publicly among the Jews (vv. 54-57).He eluded their grasp until it was time for Him to be sacrificed according to His Father’s will.
C.Most importantly, the great truth of John 11:25 was demonstrated when Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave.
1.Jesus is the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in Him shall live even if they die.Everyone who lives and believes in Him shall never die.
2.Jesus asked Martha if she believed this about Him.
a.Her answer was, “I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God even He who comes into the world” (v. 27).
