When Jesus appears in a Dead Situation
Prayer
Main verse:
John 11:17-22
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. [18] Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: [19] And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. [20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Greeting:
Background:
In the beginning of this text, we see JESUS return to Bethany planning to attend to Lazarus’ grave four days after he had received the news that Lazarus was gravely ill. JESUS was in Bethabara an area north of Bethany right beyond the Jordan River. This is the same area were he was baptize by John earlier. JESUS decides to come here after being excommunicated from the synagogue in Jerusalem and minister to people in the area. Jesus stayed in Bethabara and it seems like he did not care about the news, but remember the people in Jerusalem wanted to kill him earlier. Some may say that He wanted the situation to die down before returning, but that is not in the Bible. While in Bethabara JESUS was giving a special mission to complete in Bethany and he had to abide there in order to complete it. We have many times before said that the Lord work in mysterious ways. Yet, one would question why would JESUS allow the ones that he love to suffer so much? Why did JESUS allow Lazarus to suffer and die of his illness? JESUS answer this question in
John 11:4
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
How can GOD gain the glory out of your pain and suffering? Understand the trials and tribulations in our lives; we do not know why we go through them. Our human minds are unable to gasp the concept of why the ones that truly love the LORD have to suffer. I know that many of us church folk are quick to say, “I love the LORD he heard my cry or my faith is in the LORD”. In the book of James:
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
How can we have joy and faith in GOD when we have lost our patience in the situation; and we are in our minds constantly asking, “Why me lord?”
Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Somebody, right now, is wondering how long is it until morning? We truly begin to feel that the Lord has not heard our cry and minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year our faith begin to fade. After a period time we have to admit that, the situation that we involved in is dead.
Now, what is a dead situation? Though Lazarus was literally dead, there are more events in our lives that we consider dead:
• People with a drug and alcohol habit (explain very briefly)
• Our Jobs and family (explain very briefly)
• Hurricane season (explain very briefly)
We consider these situations dead because:
1. We have giving up on the situation (explain very briefly)
2. Others have confirm that it is dead (explain very briefly)
3. JESUS has consider it dead
Biblical Proof: John 11:11-14
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. [12] Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. [13] Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. [14] Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (Does this need Explaining???)
Now when JESUS appeared in a dead situation in Bethany he does three significant things; he comfort both Martha and Mary, then he goes to the source of the problem, and then he pray. We first see Jesus bringing comfort to the dead situation verses:
John 11:20-32
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. [21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. [23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. [24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [28] And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. [30] Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. [31] The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. [32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Now both Mary and Martha were in the traditional position for mourning in the Jewish faith; they were just sitting there. We come to the understanding that they were waiting on Jesus to at least come and visit them and comfort them; for JESUS had already miss the healing period, the funeral itself, and more likely wanted express that JESUS did not love as much as thought he did. (Explain). Martha truly believe in what JESUS could do for others and his place in the future, but is it amazing how our theology can limit our thought patterns because she truly believe that JESUS could not do anything at that moment. Yes, many of us think that everything that GOD does is a process, but understand that when it says in the word “They were healed that very hour” means that instant. (Explain in today terms the importance of Jesus comforting you)
Next, when JESUS appears in your dead situation he goes to the source of the problem.
John 11:33-35
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. [35] Jesus wept.
Understand, JESUS is fully aware of Lazarus’ location, but he also want us to go to the source of the problem and admit this is the source of our dead situation. Many of tend to take the source of the problem and bury it in the deep back parts of your mind, and after awhile we will not admit this is the source or burial ground of our dead situation. (Explain) Keep this in mind. Don’t limit GOD power and listen to his instructions. He ask us to remove the stones in our lives that is blocking our blessing.
John 11:39-40
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. [40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Yes, our situation may stink, and we place a stone upon our heart, but how can we ever see the Glory of GOD if you have stones blocking the way. (Explain)
Last, we see Jesus praying, yes, praying.
John 11:41-43
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. [43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (Explain Text verse by verse)
Thank GOD, that he will always listen to the prayer of Jesus. Thank GOD, that Jesus is allowed come the mercy sit of the Father. (Explain) GOD lets us know that he still loves us and he will never leave us and never forsake us. Understand:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JESUS was sent in order that we my have life and have it more abundantly. Let me read it again:
For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son to a dead situation.
Take it to the cross!!!!!!!
