The Gospel of John Lesson 40 (07-14-2013) John 11:17-32

The Gospel of John Lesson 40 (07-14-2013)

Lesson 40 – John 11:17-32

In v. 17 Jesus arrives at Bethany. Lazarus had now been in the grave four days. It is important to note a couple of things at this point. First, Bethany was not far from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship. Bethany was about two miles away from Jerusalem and even thought the region is somewhat hilly Jerusalem was pretty much easy access for those in Bethany. The second point is that in the verses to follow it is interesting to see the intimate connection that Mary, Martha and Lazarus had with those in this center of worship in Jerusalem even though they were good friends with Jesus. In v. 19 we see that many of the Jews came to comfort them. The impression is that at least at this point they were still connected to and in good standing with the Temple which included its leaders.

It is interesting to see the dynamic of the connectedness of Martha, Mary and the now passed Lazarus with both Jesus and those in Jerusalem. There is no doubt that they were connected strongly to Jesus for we see the bond conveyed here in this passage, but as yet it appears that we find them in good standing also with those in the Temple. We will see that soon following Lazarus’ rising from the dead that this dynamic concerning the good standing with those in the Temple will change drastically seeing their so called friends in the Temple turn against them.

However, the picture that we get at this point is one like being a part of a local church as far as having support in a time of crisis… with the exception of the twist of the hierarchy of the dominate Temple leadership. It is hard to get an accurate and adequate sense of the setting at this point. In v. 19 we read that many of the Jews came to comfort them. More than once in the Gospel of John we see John use the term ‘the Jews’ to refer to the Temple leadership and those associated with that leadership that were often so opposed to Jesus and His teachings. It is hard to know for sure whether the term Jews found in v. 19 actually refers to any of those in the higher Temple leadership positions and may indeed only refer to the Jews in general. However, it is likely that at least some of those present had close connections with those in leadership, Jn.11:45. It is interesting that it appears that Mary and Martha still have a place and appear to still be in good standing so to speak in the world and leadership of Temple life in spite of their close connection and dedication to Jesus. In may also be mentioned that Jesus’ crucifixion now is only days away.

In v. 20 we see an interesting response to Jesus’ arrival by Martha and Mary. We read in v. 20 that as soon as the news came that Jesus had now come that Martha dropped everything and immediately went to see Him. But, we also read that Mary did not react the same. V. 20 tells us that Mary remained at home.

Earlier in our study of this chapter, vs. 3-6, we saw that Mary and Martha had sent messengers to tell Jesus that Lazarus was deathly sick and were requesting that He come right away to help essentially in their hearts wanting Jesus to heal him. But, in v. 6 we read that Jesus did not come as expected. He, Jesus, abode where He was for two days before He began His journey to come to their rescue. But, by then it in their eyes was too late…Lazarus was now dead.

 At that time in our study we asked the question ‘How do we feel, and, how do we react when Jesus does not react or respond as we had expected Him to?’ This is a real life question and one that we often answer in an abstract way until we walk in the reality of life.

Here in v. 20 we see the reality of life and the real reality of the reaction to it by two different people. Sometimes we have the tendency especially in the case of Mary and Martha to pick a side as to which one may have reacted more appropriately to a situation, however, what we see here is just the way two different people responded to a particular situation. There really is no right or wrong here just two different people being honest with their feelings at the time.

This is one of the examples of how we know that Scripture is true and accurate, because it is honest. It is not a Hollywood production of life portraying only what we would want to see, but is found to portray real people and real life to us, giving all the details of what happened, good and bad so to speak. In doing so here, we find it demonstrating our need for Jesus…even if He does not react as expected.

In v. 20 we see Mary react to Jesus’ coming in an unexpected way. Martha went to see Jesus, but Mary chose not to. Why? Did she not know that He had now arrived? This is unlikely. In v. 20 it tells us that the word of Jesus’ coming had reached Martha. In this time of crisis and bereavement it is likely that Mary and Martha were not far from each other and at least would have let each other know where they were in case they needed the other. In all likelihood Mary also knew that Jesus was in the area. However, she chose not to go see Him. we could ask the question why?

In considering the possibilities for Mary’s response it is likely that Mary was not only deeply mourning the passing of Lazarus, but was also not sure about her confidence in Jesus and His abilities right now. To be honest, both Mary and Martha had expected Jesus to drop what He was doing and come and fix their real life problem. He didn’t.

First of all He delayed in coming in a time of crisis when a good friend who was close would have come right away. This probably caused both Mary and Martha to question the closeness of their relationship that they perceived that they had with Jesus. In their heart they honestly believed that Jesus not only could have healed Lazarus, but would have. Jesus had at least given them the impression and encouraged them to believe that Lazarus and their family were special to Him. But, from Mary’s point of view Jesus had let them down on all accounts, and right now, at this moment, she did not know what to believe concerning Him or their relationship.

In looking at Mary’s reaction to this situation it is important to realize that this is not an uncommon reaction for us when God does not come through as we expect Him too, especially in the bigger things in life. Here we see in this passage that Jesus had built this relationship of trust and belief with those mentioned here. In their times spent together in the past He would have taught and instructed them to trust in Him and God the Father in times such as this. They had also seen Him in action fixing situations such as this prior to this for many others. It would be only natural to ask “Why not us?” They believed His teachings. They had expectations. From their perspective He had let them down. Mary was confused and did not know what to think. Let’s be honest at this point, it is likely that Mary was at least disappointed at this point with Jesus, v. 20, and possibly may have also been even angry with Him.

Before we are too critical of Mary it must be said that this is a common response by us when we face situations that we believe that Jesus should have shown up for and He didn’t perform as expected. It would be very easy to be too critical of Mary for her response here in v. 20 unless we were honest with ourselves and put ourselves in her shoes so to speak and realized that our response in all probability would have been much like hers. Mary’s response was an honest one and so was Martha’s, they were both just different people.

It is important to remember this when those that we encounter are at the moment being honest with their feelings saying that they are disappointed with God’s response in a difficult situation. Mary’s response does not make her a lesser or inferior Christian. Mary and Martha both had questions for Jesus. No one could argue Mary’s dedication and devotion to the Savior. We must remember that it was this same Mary, Jn. 12:1-3, that fell before Jesus and washed His feet with her tears anointing His feet with very expensive and precious oil in preparation for His burial as an act of worship.

In v. 21 we see their faith and also their expectation of Him as a family when Mary’s sister Martha first meets Jesus after her brother’s death essentially expressing to Jesus their expectation of what they thought He would do for them. Although this is Martha speaking to Jesus in v. 21 we can be sure that it was Mary’s expectation also, v. 32. We know the end of the story and in reading this passage could assure Mary that Jesus will come through and is working out a better ending, but from Mary’s perspective right now Jesus let her down and it is just ‘difficult’.

In v. 21 God, Jesus, begins to assure Martha’s heart that He is not finished yet and that she should not judge the final outcome yet. No matter what we are facing He assures us of the same. He will come through. He will do right.

In v. 21 He assures Martha that there is more to come. This is the age old difficulty concerning death,…it looks so final. In the next few verses what we see is not just a dialog between Martha and Jesus, but we should view their conversation essentially as a time of prayer between Martha and God. Martha has come to commune with God. She has come to Him with a burden that is overwhelming her. She is puzzled concerning how faith in God actually works out in ‘real’ life. She is also coming to Him with a request that at the time was unrealistic and improbable. Again, we must remember that those found here are not privy to the end of the story yet. However, in looking at Martha’s request we get an insight into her level of faith in Jesus at this time. She saw him as the author of Life and ,by her request, the source of resurrection.

In viewing this dialog that Martha has with Jesus one might be reluctant to see this as different from the conversations that we might have with Jesus in our prayer times. However, even though it is different, Jesus/God being present bodily, it is not supposed to be different if we view God through the eyes of faith properly. The impression given in Scripture is that after Jesus’ resurrection and with the advent of the Holy Spirit’s coming we are suppose to not be left alone at all anymore, God being present with us always. Our position, if looking at it through God’s eyes, is even more new and improved even more than the examples seen here in the Gospels. Mary and Martha would have wanted a little more ‘very Present God’ a couple of days earlier when they made their request to Jesus. However, the Bible assures us that He is with us always and unlike what they had experienced He never leaves us.

In v. 21 and 22 Martha seeing from her perspective what see thinks is the final outcome concerning her brother has some questions for Jesus. She has come to the realization that her brother Lazarus is indeed dead. However, she holds on to the promises that Jesus and Old Testament prophecies made to her concerning the resurrection.

In these two verses there is a mix of emotions. In her initial encounter with Jesus she had some questions concerning realities at the moment in her life and some of her expectations, which included the promises concerning their close relationship and also promises concerning the Kingdom. She had seen what Jesus had done for others. One of her biggest questions was ‘Why not her?’  Why did her brother whom Jesus loved very much have to die?

However, even with her questions and her inability to answer them we see her continue to express her faith in Jesus, His promises, and their relationship. She tells Jesus that she knows that He would have acted upon this if He had been there. But, in v. 22 we see her go one step further in her faith. She tells Him that she believes that even now He could, if He chose to, bring her brother back and raise him from the dead. In doing so she was not testing their relationship asking Him to do her this special favor, but in doing so we see her express faith in Him as the Messiah as the source of the resurrection. This indeed is a bold request from Martha again demonstrating her faith in Him.

In v. 23 Jesus tests her faith reminding her of the promise of the resurrection assuring her that Lazarus will indeed rise again. However, He does not give her all the details of where and when. At this point she has no idea of what is about to happen. She believes that He is reminding her of the Promise given to all believers. To her Jesus’ response to her request in v. 23 appeared to be a no for the present and affirms the promises that she knows to be true concerning the resurrection.

But, in vs. 25 and 26 Jesus responds with a response that must have even surprised Martha. He brings her back to her faith in Him that she had expressed in vs. 21-2 in essence assuring her that what she had expressed as her belief in Him was indeed accurate. He assures her that her faith is placed appropriately and He seemingly encourages her not to abandon her initial request of asking Him to move on her behalf in a supernatural way. However, in doing so He prompts her to crystallize her understanding of the resurrection and Who is fully responsible for this great event.

In doing so Jesus states a foundational truth about Himself and helps her to see more clearly not only what she is asking Him to do, but also Who it is she is asking to work on her behalf. In essence He is asking her what she actually believes about Him. In asking Martha this question we find that He is also asking us the same question.

In v. 27 we see her response to His question. Martha has it right. She knows where her faith is placed and why she could indeed make such a request. Jesus was not just a close family or personal friend. He was her Messiah and Savior, the One that was her Hope, the Prophesied One.

Jesus did not tell her what He was going to do, but for some reason when she acknowledged to Jesus and too herself her faith in Him as to who He was she was all set. In doing so she found peace concerning the situation. It is important again to realize that her peace concerning the situation did not come from getting a ‘yes’ to her request concerning her brother. God’s answer to her request came back to her as a question assuring her that her peace in life is actually found in acknowledging and believing in who He is. Once she acknowledged His Lordship she went her way satisfied that Jesus would take care of the situation. She left now having the answer to her prayer from the Savior.

Now she hastens to go help her sister find the same assurance and peace, v.28. At this point Mary was still at home trying to make sense of it all. At this time she was still confused as to what had happened. Again, she had expected more from her close relationship with the Savior. He had healed so many others. She was still confused as to the details as to how it all went down. His delay in coming in her mind initiated her brother’s death. She needed to be reassured that the Savior still cared for and about them.

In v. 28 we see that Martha reassures Mary of this by telling her that the Master was specifically asking for her wanting to see her. We see that Martha, however, does this privately, apparently keeping a low profile concerning their relationship and connection with Jesus because of the presence of the Jews. All Mary needed was to hear the Master call her name, even if it came through Martha. After hearing this she arose quickly and went to Him now being reassured that He did indeed care.

But, something unexpected happens. The Jews that were there to comfort her made the assumption because she had left so quickly that she was going to the grave site to mourn her brother’s loss and decided to go with her. They had no idea that she was headed to see Jesus.

In v. 32 Mary arrives at Jesus. Her first response upon seeing Him was to fall at His feet and worship Him. This is important for it gives us insight into their relationship. Even though she and Jesus had a close relationship, her relationship with Him was not what would be referred to as a casual one. We see that both her and her sister Martha had the right relationship with Him reverencing Him as God and Master. Not too long from now we will see her again at Jesus’ feet honoring Him with worship wiping His feet with tears showing us again what was in her heart. These were great Christian people.