John 11: Setting the Stage

John chapter 11 begins what many (Merrill C. Tenney- Expositors’ Bible Commentary, Life Application Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, among others) believe to be the climatic episode of John’s gospel. Each miracle in John seems to demonstrate one of Jesus’ characteristics. For example, in the Feeding of the 5000, with the little boy and his loaves and fishes (Chapter 6), Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life. In the events surrounding chapter 11, Jesus refers to Himself as the Resurrection and the Life-the ultimate demonstration of life-giving power. God uses the lessons from Lazarus’ resurrection as a picture of His Son’s upcoming resurrection and as an example of this life-giving power.

To understand the power of the resurrection is to understand the hope we, as believers, have in Christ. The resurrection is the basis for our future hope. An understanding of this Resurrection Power becomes very important as we begin to study Martha’s responses to the various events that took place that week.

As we evaluate the lessons set before Martha, her family, and the disciples during a time of crisis, I trust that we can learn some very practical lessons of hope for ourselves, as well.

 Merrill C. Tenney stated in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary,    “…this episode [John 11] contains a strong personal command to believe in Jesus in a crisis…” Because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ, as a result of His resurrection, we, too, can have peace, hope, and comfort in our time of crisis.

1 Peter 1:3-8 is a great passage that deals with the connection between the resurrection and our hope in Christ. Note specifically verse 3, which states; Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The peace we can have amidst life’s toughest crises comes from the resurrection power of God’s Son. Maybe you have heard people ask, or maybe you have wondered yourself, “How can you be so calm right now?” Or, as we were asked after my father-in-law’s funeral, “How can you sit around the piano and sing songs right now?” This kind of peace seems as impossible as a resurrection. That is exactly the point. It is a peace that can only come from God as a result of Jesus’ resurrection.

As Lazarus lie near death, Martha and Mary recognized Who they needed to call on, Who they needed to call out to- they knew that One could only be Jesus-the One who had promised life and hope. Friends were there to offer support (11:19), but the sisters sent for Jesus (11:3).

Who do you go to in time of crisis? What do you depend on for strength or comfort?  Support groups? Self-help books?  Psychological evaluations? Eating binges? Shopping sprees?

Or, do you #1, go straight to God’s Word and straight to your knees in prayer?  Do you then, #2, go to a trusted godly friend or counselor who knows the Bible well enough to direct you to applicable passages and pray with you according to God’s will in your crisis?  

This time, Martha had it right. She went straight to Jesus, the source of all hope, all peace, and all comfort.

Consider the following passages from the Book of Psalms.

Psalms 121:1-2:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence cometh my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

OR~~

Psalm 46:1:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

 In closing, I recommend you read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. Verse 5 specifically says, For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Who ya gonna call?

Because of His death, burial, and RESURRECTION,

Debbie
Next time, a look at the Most Puzzling Award.