The Fifth Sunday in Lent, 2008
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
John 11:1-45
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
After hearing today’s readings, are you asking the obvious question, “Why are we talking about the resurrection in the season of Lent? Aren’t we supposed to be talking about death and the cross?” Now it may seem strange that the theme of this day is the resurrection of the dead, but if you would allow me to explain, I’m sure it will make more sense to you.
To begin with, let us look at the historical and geographical settings of today’s Gospel text. John chapter eleven is framed in between chapter ten and chapter twelve. Chapter ten took place in Jerusalem and chapter twelve ends in Jerusalem the city where our Lord was crucified.
In chapter ten, Jesus was visiting the Temple and the people present asked Him directly if He claimed to be the long awaited Messiah. At this point Jesus responded that He had already told them and they do not believe. After explaining that He and the Father are one, they picked up stones to put Him to death because He made Himself equal to God. They tried to seize Him, but they were unsuccessful. He left Jerusalem and went over to the other side of the Jordan where John the Baptizer had been baptizing.
Thus, chapter eleven opens with Jesus on the other side of the Jordan when the news came about the condition of Lazarus. Now Lazarus was living in Bethany which was about two miles outside of the city of Jerusalem. When Jesus decided to go back to the region near the holy city of Jerusalem, His disciples reminded Him about the threat of those who wanted to stone Him to death. As they headed out toward Bethany, it was Thomas who said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him”(John 11:16 ESV). They felt that His death was near. Thus, when Jesus returned to Bethany near Jerusalem, He was approaching the city of destiny.
After raising Lazarus from the dead, there were more people that came to believe in Jesus. At this point, the chief priests and the Pharisees decided that Jesus must be put to death in order to stop people from believing in Him. Chapter eleven ends with the plans of the Council. They decided that it would be better for Jesus to die instead of the whole nation dying at the hands of the Romans.
Then chapter twelve opens with Jesus in Bethany eating with Lazarus whom He raised from the dead. The comment is made that it is now six days before the Passover. It is at this point that the religious leaders began to talk about putting Lazarus to death also. Then in chapter twelve verse twelve it notes that the next day Jesus went into the city of Jerusalem. This was Palm Sunday the day of the Triumphal entry.
Again in chapter ten Jesus leaves Jerusalem and heads to the other side of the Jordan River. In chapter eleven, Jesus arrives in Bethany outside of Jerusalem. Finally, in chapter twelve Jesus heads into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Therefore, in the church year we read from John chapter eleven on this Sunday and then on next Sunday, which is Palm Sunday, we will read from John chapter twelve. In our readings we are preparing for Holy Week as we prepare for Easter. In Lent we look forward to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord. In the season of Easter we look backward to the resurrection and the crucifixion.
There can be no absolving resurrection of Jesus without the crucifixion and there can be no vicarious atonement on the cross without the empty tomb. The crucifixion and the resurrection remain eternally tied together. St. Paul puts it this way in the fourth chapter of Romans that Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” ( Romans 4:25 ESV). Throughout the whole church year we proclaim Christ crucified while at the same time we live in the reality that Christ has conquered death and the grave.
As Jesus prepares His disciples for His death, He is preparing them for His resurrection. In today’s Gospel text, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:26 ESV). Jesus is the one who raises the dead. This miraculous sign in this event bears witness to the words of Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life. He has authority over death.
When Jesus declared that He was the light of the world, He went on to open the eyes of the blind man. He brought light where there was darkness. Now in today’s Gospel text, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:6 ESV). Just as the man was born blind in order to reveal God’s glory, so too Lazarus is put in the grave to bring glory to Jesus.
Even though the people saw the miracles of Jesus they didn’t quite get it. The Jews who had seen this miracle even commented about Jesus saying in verses 36 and 37, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37 ESV). Both Mary and Martha the sisters of Lazarus had the same type of understanding of Jesus. In verse 21 Martha said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” John 11:21 (ESV). Then in verse 32 Mary says the same thing, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32 ESV).
The people wanted Jesus to do certain things. Jesus was thought of as the one that will give them what they want. If you are blind, He will give you sight. If you are sick, He will make you well. But, Jesus doesn’t come on our terms. He comes to us and teaches us who He truly is.
Notice how Jesus reacts to the news of the illness that Lazarus had. Our text says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (John 11:6 ESV). Did you get that? When He heard that Lazarus was sick, He waited two more days before going to Bethany. Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to quickly come in order to heal their brother. But Jesus saw things differently. He knew Lazarus would die, but to the One who is the Resurrection and the Life, death is as harmless as sleeping.
What does this teach us about our petitions and requests to Jesus in our lives? He answers in His own way and in His own time. Our prayers are not commands and orders that we give to God. Rather they are requests based upon our faith in His mercy. We are to trust in Jesus and His Word. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He is not a magical genie that gives to us what ever our hearts desire. He gives eternal life.
The other day, I saw a motivational preacher on the television who was telling the people what they wanted to hear. He told them of the financial and earthly awards that belonged to them as believers. He told them that they too could be blessed like him with material goods. As an illustration, he started listing off all of the cars that he has. He has a Volkswagen, a little Hummer, a big Hummer, his wife has a BMW, and he has a BMW. This guy is proclaiming a different gospel. This is a gospel of earthly prosperity and not the Gospel of the good news of eternal life in the name of Jesus.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and the one who believes in Him will live eternally even if he dies. The goal is the resurrection of the body. In today’s Gospel text, He teaches us that He can and will raise the dead. Ultimately, all of our prayers for healing in this body of ours will be fulfilled on the Last Day when our bodies are raised in a glorified state. On that day, there will be no more tears, sickness, and pain.
Until that day we continue to listen to His voice so that we can recognize our Good Shepherd from all of the other false voices out there. Then on the Last Day we will hear His voice to us saying, “Come out of the tomb.” Amen.
