Isaiah 25 tells us about God coming to redeem and save his people. It is an apocalyptic text in the middle of the book. God is coming in judgment on the world, but then will come in mercy to redeem. There will be joy and celebration at his coming. The prophecy says “He will swallow up death forever; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isa. 25:8). The Jews of Jesus day had long waited for this deliverance.
Jumping forward 800 years, Jesus had performed numerous signs preceding John 11. The raising of Lazarus from the dead is different. Jesus expresses His love for this family. Many people have come to their house. Most of this story involves pain and suffering, sorrow and anguish. Such is the situation when someone dies. How ironic when Jesus says this illness does not relate to death. He knows what He is about so do.
Lessons from Lazarus:
1. Death is troubling. It is hard to deal with. Jesus Himself is troubled by this death. Physical death is so symbolic of the separation created by sin. Jesus’ soul is troubled not just by Lazarus death but because He knows what death means. Jesus waits. He doesn’t come right away. Death is saying something spiritually in this story. Jesus uses this occasion to speak to the Jews.
2. Man desperately needs Jesus’ deliverance. This is why Jesus waits. This is why He asks the disciples to follow Him. The spiritual message of death is illustrated in its physical form at the tomb. Jesus tells Martha if you believe in me you will never die. No person can fix this problem. Jesus is able to show who He truly is, the Son of God.
3. Deliverance accentuates divine glory. Whatever physical maladies you may have do not end in death if you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Paul delivers the same message in 2 Cor. 5:1. In fact, the sufferings of this present time only highlight that much more the glory of God.
Do you believe this?
Sermon by Brent Moody
