Please Listen
John 11:1-41
John 11 tells us the story of Lazarus. He is a friend of Jesus’. Lazarus also has two sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus was close with the entire family. We don’t know how they came to be such dear friends. They could have grown up together. Met somewhere as adults; perhaps they met at church...we do not know. But we do know they were close, very close. John starts this chapter off by telling us that Lazarus was sick, very sick! He was in bad shape. Mary and Martha knew that Jesus could heal their brother. So they do what any good sisters would do; they went and found their friend - The Healer!
When Jesus heard the news of Lazarus' condition, he said, “ This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.” (11:4) The crazy thing is Jesus did not hop right up and head to where Lazarus was. (As the kids today say, He left the sisters on READ!) He actually took his time and chose to travel a way that would put His, and those with Him, life in danger. To take it even further, Jesus did not head toward Lazarus until he was dead. Crazy decision making or so it seemed.
Jesus had been hanging out with the disciples for quite some time now. Plus, Mary and Martha were close friends of His. You would think they would know that Jesus was on top of the situation, but they all have short memories. Needless to say, Jesus’ buddies did not agree with this plan. He was second guessed. You could even say “Jesus was not listened to - I just want to be heard!”. Thomas, one of the disciples, even says, “we might as well go and die with Him”. (11:16) That is not exactly a vote of confidence.
When Jesus finally gets on the scene, Lazarus has been dead for four days. He has been buried, placed in a tomb. It was over! When he does show up, Jesus is questioned by the sisters. They are quick to point out if He had been there sooner, Lazarus would be alive. At this point, Jesus tells them exactly who He is! Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life! (11:25) One of the famous “I AM” statements. But somehow this again was not heard. So, instead of standing firm in the belief of what Jesus just said they begin to question Him again. “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (11:33).
It seems clear at this point, there is a heaviness, a sadness, and a confusion in the air. Can you imagine what people are saying? What people are thinking? This Jesus fellow could have fixed this and He chose to dilly-dally getting here. He was supposed to be their friend. He supposedly can heal folks. I guess He really doesn’t care!
Two times in the story (so far) Jesus has said, “God will be glorified” and no one seems to be listening! Think of what is going on in Jesus’ mind. His human mind - they don’t get it. They aren’t listening! I just want to be heard!!
Emotions are raw. Frustration is everywhere!. Jesus sees all the hurt. He sees the tears! He hears the sobs! Jesus is moved to a deep anger! He is mad with the wholeness of this horrible moment! Then Jesus asks, “where have you put him?” (v 34)
As they take Jesus, the Son of God, to where His friend's body lies - Jesus cries! Not just a little, dramatic tear rolling down His cheek, or a chin quiver. Jesus shows the most loving emotion! Full of sympathy and understanding of the grief all around Him. While they are walking the crowd continues to question Jesus. Why didn’t He do something sooner?
When Jesus gets to the place where Lazarus is buried, He says, “Remove the stone.” (11:38) Martha tells Him they can’t do that because it will stink! He has been dead for four days! And for the third time in this story, Jesus says, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ (11:40). Jesus says it again, roll the stone away!
Up to this point in the story, we can plainly see that Jesus feels the same things we do. Frustrations, Not listened to, Deep anger, Emotional sadness. When we feel the emotional roller coaster of life begin to take over us - stop! Remember that Jesus has been right where you are! There is not a situation or a feeling that He does not understand! He has lived it. Lived it right out in public!
With the crowd, His friends, and Jesus’ own emotions stirred to the breaking point, what happens next is life changing…