John 11 ULTIMATE AUTHORITY Not too often is there a home other than our own where we feel perfectly "at home." Even though those who show kindness and grace toward us and in their hospitality say, "Make yourself at home," there are limits that we do not cross for fear of invading privacy. It seems like the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha was a very special place to Jesus when He was in Judea. Of special interest is that Bethany was called "the town of Mary." She must have been well-known for her piety, grace and spirit of meekness as well as other obvious public traits. Martha was a hospitable woman who seemed to be very practical in her way of life. All of us have a reputation of one kind or another. We are each one different and God can use those differences when they are used in fellowship with each other to be a means of blessing to many and a comfort to the Lord.
An obscure village can become important when there are some of the people of God living there. Some of earth's great cities are far less important than a small town or even a country place where the light of biblical testimony has been established. It is not uncommon for people looking on, to see people gathering together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and asking, "What is the attraction in that little place?" It is the gathering to the Person in the midst that is important. Other gatherings may have thousands who come together attracted by the great numbers, the music that is played or the oratorical skills of a man. But when our attraction is the Lord Jesus Christ only, it is a unique place. God is in the midst of His people.
At Bethany in that home there were expressions of appreciation for the Lord Jesus, Mary was there who had anointed His feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair. That was not an act of affectation but of genuine love for her Lord. Martha had busily prepared food for the Savior as her service of hospitality, and there was fellowship and interest in the things of God when they sat together and shared meals. The Lord Jesus had a special interest in those who lived in that home. He loved and appreciated them, and they loved and appreciated Him. The characteristic of hospitality and friendship is a special comfort to the Lord's people as we journey through life. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." That spirit of hospitality usually extends beyond just our friends and family, to include those who cannot reciprocate and so has a special place in the hearts of any who come there, whether they be believers or unbelievers. But even in such blessed places and homes like the one in Bethany, there will come times of grief and sorrow. Sometimes they are expected, and other times such things happen without any forewarning.
When we don't understand the reason why something unforeseen comes, we wonder why God allowed this to take place. In such times our faith in Christ becomes even more vital in order for us to have peace. Unexpected events such as an unknown sickness, scares us. We had never thought it would happen to us. Then when we turn to the Lord our God for answers and quick solutions, and He doesn't give them to us right away, those delays really bother us. "The trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth..." The words sound good but the opposition that may accompany the trial, can intimidate us. Then the darkness that comes over our spirits stumbles us if we are not careful to cast our burden upon the Lord and trust Him to sustain us. When death comes, we are saddened, especially if it is unexpected or a young person is taken.
Lessons we can learn when the contrast of life and death is starkly before us, are actually many. God's delays, though we may not realize it at the time, are God's opportunities. A quick answer like we expect, would be not much more than a quick fix, and the lessons will have to be learned again. God's timing of events is in perfect harmony with God's will. There are results that come from letting an event run its full course, that we learn later are perfectly fitted to the solution that is needed. God's will and God's guidance are parallel in bringing to pass what He intends. When the alternatives to a problem are reduced to one, there are no more questions to be asked. But sometimes there is more than one alternative. Then we have to take time to see, and really learn, which one is more suitable to doing God's will, and which one will bring the greatest benefit to all who are concerned. God's power is in no way limited, but the waiting times may be as important as the solution when it comes to bringing glory to God. The events surrounding the death of Lazarus have a lot to teach us who are by nature pushy or impatient. We have to be taught to wait for God to act according to His sovereign will.
Four days after the death of Lazarus, as Jesus came to Bethany in spite of the fears of the disciples who knew the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, Martha met Jesus. Her grief over the loss of her brother expressed itself in an understandably reproachful way. She was a woman of faith, but her faith was limited to what she knew had happened before. Jesus used that moment to teach her the truth of who He is and why it is so important to believe on Him. Mary used the same words but not in the same way. An awareness of the presence of Jesus comforts us even though we may not understand the delays of unexplained circumstances that happen to us. The presence of Jesus in trials, is a time when He instructs us even though our faith is weak and we wonder what will happen next. The presence of Jesus awakens us to believe that what is impossible to men is possible with God. The presence of Jesus in the difficult times of life opens our minds to the reality of the kingdom of God we are in and of which we are a part.
It was in this hard time Martha testified to her own personal faith in Christ. It was in this hard time Jesus declared a sixth verbal testimony to His deity when He said, "I AM the resurrection and the life..." Then He challenged her faith with a straightforward question and her answer to Him was a beautiful expression of genuine faith in Him.
The Lord's compassion for the living is what caused Him to weep. He knew what He was going to do and He knew that every one of those people would be in heaven or hell. People often misunderstand and misjudge the ways and words of God because of the limitations of their own experiences. The Lord's emotion and His sympathy was genuine. His caring and understanding of the human experience testifies to His humanity. His power over death, mans' last enemy, testifies to His deity. In an act of His interest in humanity, He involved others in this greatest of His miracles. They could move the stone. They did what He knew they could do. Our limitations in the service of God keeps us from boasting but He allows us the privilege of participating in it as we are able. The Lord does what no man can do - He gives life. That key is His alone.
Even at the graveside Jesus used that event as a teaching moment so that people would believe on Him. His loud voice in prayer was so that all there would know who He is and who His Father is. By the means of all hearing the words of His prayer, they knew that this act of power was for their sakes. There was no mistaking the fact of His authority when He spoke directly to the soul of Lazarus and commanded his soul and spirit to return to his body.
The Lord did not make a point of raising dead people to life very often because He knew they would have to go through the experience of death again. In this case it was for the glory of God, and that people would know Him as God who has power over death. Even after Lazarus came out of the grave, the Lord again had people participate when they removed the grave clothes off of him so he could walk. All of those who watched this scene could testify to the reality of the miracle and the sign of His deity.
In spite of the fact of Lazarus being raised from the dead, there were those who refused to believe on Jesus. They were so hardened against His holiness, His power and His Person that they arranged for and assisted in plotting for His death. They would rather reject the Savior and what was obvious, than admit they were wrong. Pride leads to unbelievable sin. However, there were many there who did believe on Him. The effect of real Christianity on the business and social life of natural men convicts them. Deceit, dishonesty, illegal and immoral practices are exposed for what they are in the light of the One is the resurrection and the life. People are wiling to reject what is obviously right because they want what is wrong more. Even the mouth of a hardened religious leader (Caiaphas) was used against Jesus as far as he was concerned. But he stated a wonderful truth as far as the Gospel of God was concerned.
The Passover was coming but until that time, Jesus went to Ephraim, a city in the wilderness to wait until His hour was come. God has His timetable and we are wise to wait for God to work and with His ultimate authority, guide and direct us through whatever event He sends along to fulfill His will.