John 11:17-37 (Part 2)

Differences Between Martha and Mary

1. Called vs Pursuing from John

1. John 11:20, So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house

2. John 11:28-29, When Martha had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.

2. Called vs Pursing from Luke
1. Luke 10:38, Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

2. Luke 10:39, And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

3. The Progressive Social Gospel of Our Day
1. Luke 10:40, Active Worship

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”(Pursuing)

2. Luke 10:41-42, Passive Worship

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Called)

1. Luke 14:7-11 
2. Jesus directs us to worship in a more passive way that is not self exalting. 
3. Matt. 6:4,6 
4. Come to God in secret

3. Active Theology

What active theologians do is they try to be the Holy Spirit. They try to be the significant power that holds and puts all things together. When from ourselves we generate our own ideas of what will please God or others we miss the mark and fail to connect where we want to. 

4. Passive Theology 

It is in being still and waiting for the Lord to call us into service that matters so much. If God has not actually called us into service we are essentially just doing our own thing and saying it is from God. 

1. Acts 6:1-7, Do not neglect word of God to serve tables 
2. Matt. 7:21-24, we did this in your name and that in your name away from me I never knew you
3. Gal. 3:1-5, trying to finish in the flesh what was started in the Spirit

Two Reasons they thought Lazarus was not saved from Death

1. Lord, if you had been here

1. John 11:21, Martha

Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died

2. John 11:32, Mary

Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

1. Was the only reason Jesus was unable to save Lazarus was because He was not there?
1. John 4:46-54, healed son in Capernaum from Cana
2. Luke 7:1-10, Centurion servant 

2. Was He not able to save the one He loved? 

1. John 11:37, Friends 

Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 9:1)

2-Did Jesus have the ability to save Lazarus?

1. Matt. 27:42, He saved others; he cannot save himself. (Matt 27:38-44)

Remembering Jesus’ Perspective 

1. Remembering what Jesus said

1. John 11:4, But when Jesus heard it he said, 
1. “This illness does not lead to death. 
2. It is for the glory of God, 
3. so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.

2. Remembering what Jesus did
1. John 11:6, So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

2. John 11:14, Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.

3. Diety of Christ

1. So in a sovereign all knowing perspective Jesus knew Lazarus was ill before someone came and told Him. 

2. He knew Lazarus had died before He got to town and had someone tell Him. 

3. He also intentionally stayed away from Lazarus until he died and until he was good and dead without any doubt dead, dead. 

4. Humanity of Christ 

John 11:33-35, 38 

Jesus Wept, 

Deeply Moved and Greatly Troubled

1. For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. Mark 14:5 

2. John 12:27, Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
3. John 13:21, After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The Challenges to Our Perspective 

1. John 5:25-29, pre talk about John 11 

(Bread Crumb Trails)

1. Authority,  John 5:19-20 
2. Judge, John 5:22 
3. Honor, John 5:23 (Glory)
4. Sent, John 5:24 
5. Life, John 5:21, 25-29 

2. Sent, John 12:44-45 
3. Light, John 12:46 (Glory)
4. Judge, John 12:47-48 
5. Authority, John 12:49 
6. Life, John 12:50

2. They Did not Realize 
1. Now in the questioning of Mary and Martha they did not realize the One that could have helped them chose not to be there. 

2. But they also did not realize the greatness of His ability to not only saved Lazarus 
1. when He is with him, 
2. but He also could have saved him from where He was, 
3. but here He goes even further glorifying the greatness of His ability by restoring life after he had begin to badly stink.

4. Dry Bones, Consider Ezekiel “Dry Bones”. Is God on a time line for restoring Life? Ezekiel 37:1-14 
1. The many bones were very dry
1. Son of man, can these bones live?”Ezekiel 37:3 
2. Oh Dry Bones hear the word of the Lord
1. I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. Ezekiel 37:5 
3. There was a sound and behold a rattling, Ezekiel 37:7, 1 Kings 19:11, Acts 2, 
1. But there was no breath in them Ezekiel 37:8 
2. Prophesy to the breath, that they may live Ezekiel 37:9 
4. Our bones are dried up, and sour hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Ezekiel 37:11 
1. I will open your graves and raise you from your graves Ezekiel 37:12 
2. you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, Ezekiel 37:13 
3. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, Ezekiel 37:14