TEXT: John 11:1-6
INTRO: Studying the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels is so rich because every account is a teaching event. They are “Lessons Along the Way.”
I. JESUS IS AS INTERESTED IN THE COMMON PERSON AS MUCH AS HE IS IN ANYONE ELSE.
A. READ 6:1-3. Today, the story of Lazarus is well-known. But he was not well-known at all before this event. In fact, we never even hear of him until now. Jesus has a genuine interest and concern about people no one else may even know about.
B. Today Jesus is known as the most important and influential Man who ever lived. According to this verse, Jesus is interested in all of us, regardless of station. He was so interested in Lazarus, the common man, that He did something for him that was as great, in most ways, as anything any other person had happen in life.
C. Jesus knows you and He knows your circumstances and care for your well-being
II. WHAT WE DO FOR JESUS BLESSES US FOREVER.
A. READ Vss. 2-3. If all we know about Mary and Martha what was written in that small part, we would have seen no real significance in God’s dealing with the two.
Lk. 10:38ff : tells about Martha and Mary’s special relationship with the Lord. Yet, because of what tey do, they are instantly heroines of the faith. Mark 14, “Wherever the Gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
B. I’ve been in ministry for 40 years and I know that there are many more things done in the name of the Lord that are not known except between the Lord and the people who did them. I confess that everything done for Jesus brings back blessings a hundredfold to those who did them
III. JESUS’ RESPONSE TO OUR NEEDS MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATE, BUT IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT.
A. READ Vss. 3-6. I suspect the two sisters would not have sent a message to Jesus if their brother had not been seriously ill. And Jesus knew that. He knew it was not just a report, but a plea for Him to come. But He waited – for 2 more days! That doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t sound like the Jesus we know. Jesus gives an explanation for His hesitation. The whole event was meant to “bring glory to God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” That’s a reasonable explanation – unless you, who are in need never hear it.
B. Jn. 10:5, “Now, Jesus loved loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.” Just because we can’t see Jesus at work, or because things get difficult and painful, it never means Jesus has stopped loving us. It only means He has a reason that will prove to be worth the wait.
CONCLUSION
There are several more lessons along the way as we head with Jesus to Bethany, but we’ll wait until next time to focus on them. Tonight, just remember, God cares about all people, regardless of station in life, the most important things in life are what we do for Jesus, and Jesus is always right on time – even when we miss the point!