FHBC Sermon Notes

 Knowledge, Agreement, and Trust. These are the tenets of our faith. Like Martha in v. 27 we are not just trusting in an idea or an ideology, or a moral code, we are trusting in a man, the man who IS (not was) God. 

In verse 33 we might ask why Jesus in so troubled, indignant even. Jesus is upset with them, why? Jim suggests that this is becaused they failed do understand who and what he was to do. In verse 39 we see the logical worldy mind of Mary in this moment objecting to them moving the stone, not understanding the power, love and glory that Jesus had come to reveal.  "Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?""

This miracle of raising Lazurus was the seventh and greatest of the miracles in John to this point. Only one more follows and that is the resurrection of Jesus. These miracles like the raising of Lazurus are known as resuscitation. After all they all died again. The resurrection of Jesus and our own resurrection to come after this is permanent. 

This miracle is not for show, or did it depend on the faith of those around. It was based on the authority and word of Christ alone. Perhaps if Jesus had not named Lazurus by name, then all would have been raised right then and there. Faith though is necessary for each of us to recognize what it is that has happened. 

In all of this story we see two responses. One is faith, true belief and a submission of our lives to him. The other is rejection. In response they plot to kill the one man that had just proved that he had power over death. 

V. 55-57 They do not deny that the miracle has taken place, but instead they begin to argue that his life is a threat to national security. For a man who has such power will bring on the wrath of Rome. I guessing they forgot about the wrath of God. Even in the wickedness of Caiphas' words, God is able to make a proclamation to the truth of what was to come.