#1505 John 12 Part 1 Smells Like Money

 

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a litra of perfume of very costly pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was going to betray Him, *said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to take from what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

9 Then the large crowd from the Jews learned that He was there. And they came, not because of Jesus only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. John 12: 1-11 LSB

John 12: 1-11 Fake Concern

V. 1 Six days before the Passover - This is what Jesus came for, not to participate in but to be, which is the fullness of what every Passover pointed to. 

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Spurgeon notes that "It was in the house of Simon the Leper; a near acquaintance, perhaps a relative of this beloved family, for we find that Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. The two families had coalesced for this festival, and well they might, for one case someone had been healed of leprosy, and in the other case Lazarus had been raised from the dead. It was a holy, happy feast."

Whom Jesus had raised (egeiro) from the dead (nekros) - Lazarus was undoubtedly the "talk of the town," or as we might say to day one with "celebrity status." And so John rightly reemphasizes the resurrection of Lazarus. - Precept Austin

V. 2 Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him - Jesus has declared that He is the resurrection and the life, then backed the claim by raising this same Lazarus from the dead. He is a living proof, for Christ has also made the claim that He will give the sign of Jonah, that He will be crucified, buried and raised on the third day. 

So they made Him a supper (deipnon) there, and Martha was serving (diakoneo) - Supper (deipnon) refers to the main meal of the day which was most often held in the evening and is the same word used later of the Last Supper (John 13:2, 4; 21:20). Martha, true to her form described in Lk 10:38-42+, was serving (diakoneo), a word that can mean waiting on tables and in the imperfect tense pictures her shuffling back and forth between the kitchen and the dining table. John Calvin said that "The highest honour in the church is not government but service. (and added)...We shall never be fit for the service of God if we look not beyond this fleeting life. Vance Havner adds "There are no trivial assignments in the work of the Lord." Henrietta Mears says "Serving God with our little is the way to make it more; and we must never think that wasted with which God is honoured or men are blessed."

MacArthur - That John describes Lazarus as one of the guests reclining at the table with Jesus suggests that the feast was not in his and his sisters' home. Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 make more than a suggestion, stating specifically that the meal was held in the house of Simon the leper....Although it tends to be overshadowed by Mary's dramatic act of worship, Martha's humble service on this occasion was no less commendable and pleasing to the Lord. (See John Commentary) - Precept Austin

V. 3  Mary then took a litra of perfume - Some record that nard came from India, and that this quantity would have been equivalent to a years pay for a common laborer back then. Others note that this was probably her most valuable possession, reserved for her dowry, and that she did not use this to anoint her brother at his burial, but lavishly gives this to her savior. I think she is the same woman recorded in Matthew, but John is more free with the names, given that they have passed on from any danger. Those who realize they have been forgiven much love the most extravagantly.  

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?… Matthew 26: 6-8

V. 4-5 But Judas Iscariot - Judas valued it at at least 300 denarii, now there's a man who knew of the finer things. I think Judas spent much time in studying the material, wishing for wealth, for power, privilege. 

…9Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.… 1 Timothy 6: 9-11

V. 6 Not because he was concerned about the poor - John doesn't spare the trader, don't be deceived by what he says, for that's a lie and he is a thief. Judas, like so many politicians, points out someone who has, whether they have been born into wealth, accumulated it through enterprise and wise investment, or tripped over it in the lottery, the point is they are now the haves. Judas, just like them, says, "couldn't this have been sold and used more wisely to feed the poor?"  In our day he would say, "tax the rich", while wearing a 15 thousand dollar outfit made by someone overcharging for such things, someone who was also, what do you call that? Oh yea, rich. They will come to your house and tell you, "vote for this person and we will be able to redistribute the wealth that they acquired, just vote." Like Judas they are just mapping out a way for them to get the things that they see others with and want for themselves. They want to live lavishly too, so they play on your heartstrings and you follow them over the ledge. It works because it appeals to your base appetites, to greed, but you're not greedy, the lady washing Jesus' feet is, right?

…19More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift. 21For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.… 2 Corinthians 8: 19-21

V. 8 You always have the poor with you - This is a rebuke of the thief, the poor are always around, is that really your concern, or only when you see something valuable. What did BLM do with the money they wanted? Bought big houses and went bankrupt, just like the Judas's they were. They sold a false history, wanted reparations from people who have never owned slaves, but in the end they were only in it for the love of money, the envy of other people's possessions. Man, I hope my kids can learn this, don't worry about what other people have or get paid. If you agree to a price then be happy with that and move on. If someone else does well then be happy for them. If you think someone is overcharging then go find someone else. When you help the poor make sure you are actually helping them and not just throwing fuel on the flame. I used to be a drug addict, so when people gave me money thinking they were helping, sometimes I overdosed and came very close to losing my life with their help. Be good stewards. Look at the Biblical balance of this.

…10Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand. 11For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15: 10-11

…9Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. 10For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” 11Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.… 2 Thessalonians 3: 9-11

V. 9 That they might also see Lazarus - Lazarus was a huge draw, along with Jesus' other miracles, healings and teaching. Come see the guy that was so dead that he stunk of it. This would cause quite a stir, but not belief and repentance in all. 

…30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16: 30-31

V. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also - Wow, what a wicked bunch. They are materialist, and they reflect the attitude of Judas above. They want power, and if Christ would have come and recognized them the way they see themselves, as moral, upstanding and deserving, they wouldn't be having these problems with Him. They are wealthy men, have learned to work the system, are getting kick backs from everyone. In their minds they are free men even though they live under Roman rule, but Rome has given these traitors enough to not only satiate them, but it is big enough in their hearts that they want to protect their positions even at the cost of Lazarus's life. They are willing to kill to preserve their way of life. They rob widows, abuse orphans, sit in the seats of judgment, and like Eli's sons steal the fat of the offering and overcharge everybody that they can. Lazarus is a thorn in their side, a reminder of just how special Jesus is, and Lazarus is their strongest warning from God as yet. There is a great falling away in every age, and you can see it in our time as well. There are people who will embrace a form of morality when all else fails, but they still refuse God's Lordship. They want to come to terms with the world in a way that they can keep their material comforts, for them the greatest sin is to not have. 

…2It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow. 3This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead. 4There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.… Ecclesiastes 9: 2-4

…21He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes. 22But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.… Daniel 5: 21-23

V. 11 Many Jews were going away and believing in Jesus - Lazarus testimony was hurting their bottom line. Jews were leaving a broken Judaism to become followers of Christ. This is as it should be, His sheep hear his voice and they follow Him. He is the promise and the covenant held by the Jewish peoples, the Seed of the woman, the Lion of Judah, the Scarlet Thread, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. Now they don't just want Jesus, but Lazarus too. Have you ever know someone like this, they say a thing and it gets proven wrong, but they act unfazed. They will stick with their story, telling it over and over again; the truth will not get in their way. When faced with facts that contradict them they just dig their heels in deeper. This has gotten so bad for them that they can't just raise their voice over those of others, and people are leaving their flock, Jesus has disturbed their turf. This is a blinding hatred, and truth is now the enemy, so they think killing will remove it like it didn't happen. 

…14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.… James 3: 14-16

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#1504 John 11 Part 3 Emergency Meeting

 

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is doing many signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, all will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this from himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk openly among the Jews, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the region before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 So they were seeking Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him. John 11: 47-57 LSB

John 11: 47-57

They despised Him. They despised His origin. They despised His presence. And they despised Him at the end. He was “a man of sorrows.” Nobody gave Him honor and nobody gave Him respect. Nobody important. He had no one in His life that mattered. He hung around with a bunch of ragtag nobodies from Galilee who, seven of whom may well have been fisherman. The rest were uneducated Galileans. And the only non-Galilean in the group was Judas from the town of Carioth. He was the kind of person you just turn your face away from. That’s why we rejected Him.

You know, it got ugly from there. Do you know the Hebrew word for Jesus is Yeshua? Have you heard that? Yeshua. The Jews through history have changed it to Yeshu, Yeshu, which is an acrostic for “let his name be blotted out.” Let his name be blotted out. He is also called Tului, in Hebrew, “the hanged one.” And “cursed is anyone - ” Deuteronomy says “ - who is hanged on a tree.”

Maybe you’ve heard the story about Mary being a hairdresser. This is written in the Talmud, which is the codification of Jewish history. That His mother Mary was a hairdresser who committed adultery with a Roman mercenary named Joseph ben Pandera, produced Yeshu, who learned the magical arts in Egypt and led people astray. That’s a quote from the Jewish Talmud.

They developed early on a prayer, Jewish prayer. “May all Christians be suddenly destroyed without hope and blotted out of the book of life forever.” This is a deep-seated animosity. And it hasn’t been helped through history by what so-called fake Christians have done to the Jews. But they started out with contempt and it’s still there even today. And do you know every Jew knows the story of Jesus so he or she can reject it? I mean, you’re not really a Jew if you don’t know you can’t believe in Jesus. We didn’t esteem Him. That’s an important last line. “He was despised; we did not esteem Him.” That’s the ultimate scorn. You know what that means in Hebrew? He was non-existent. He didn’t even exist. To put it mildly as Paul said in Romans 9:32, “They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” John Macarthur from Behold The Lamb Sermon Sep 29, 2012

V.47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together - Pharisees were a sect of Jews that believed in the resurrection and had added much to the Mosaic law. They were also legalist who searched for loopholes to get out of keeping the parts of God's law that did not appeal to them. They were quick to go after others for the sins they disdained, yet they hid their own. Jesus and John the Baptist saw them as hypocrites. When a woman was brought to Jesus with the question of stoning her for adultery, the accusers did not produce the man that they would have witnessed with her. As far as the priests go, many of them were not legitimate Levitical priest, but politically motivated mobsters who bought these positions for a price. They were bullies who ran the Bazaar at the temple, where they allowed unjust weights and measures, constantly fleecing the flock for wicked gain. So now when the Sanhedrin meet this is a body of 70 men, in the tradition of Moses, the elders of the congregation. Some of these were also Sadducees, men who did not believe in the resurrection, men who were more materialist. All were considered religious leaders, the most famous of these being Nicodemus, and the most famous Pharisee of all time, the old GOAT, Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul. This is like an emergency meeting of congress. Jesus had caused a stir all the way up the chain.

…2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: 3“Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” 4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.… Psalm 2: 2-4

V. 47b For this man is doing many signs - People joke today about the signs and miracles that Jesus performed, but it was never a question back then. If you look at the Talmud, extrabiblical writings, even Jesus enemies agree that there were miracles, but came up with the excuse that He did them by the power of Satan, or that He learned it in magic school. I think they watch too much Harry Potter, and people who like to pretend to be skeptics today, yet would swallow the multiverse or matter being god without proof, that's not an intellectual argument sparked by mounds of evidence. You are not a skeptic because of an earnest search for the truth, you call yourself that so you can have it reflected back to you from other people in your bubble.

…16“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. 17But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” 18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.… Acts 4: 16-18

Signs (semeion) have the function to point to something or point the right way. Signs point to something beyond themselves. The signs were many and they were clearly pointing to Jesus as the Messiah, except to those who were too blind to see or had hearts too hardened to receive the signs! The sign of Lazarus resurrection was pointing to a deeper spiritual truth, to the truth that even as Lazarus had no power to give himself physical life, but needed the supernatural power from the Spirit of God, so too, all those who are spiritually dead need the exercise of that same supernatural power! “It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh profits (ABSOLUTELY) nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." (Jn 6:63+), Steven Cole says that for Lazarus "It required the life-giving Word of Jesus to call him from death to life. That’s true every time a sinner is born again." The corollary is that we need to be sure to use the living Word when we are sharing the Gospel with a lost soul, and not trust on our debating skills or our intellectual prowess! Like I tell my disciples "K.I.S.S." (Keep It Simple Stupid) - PA

V. 48 All will believe in Him - That was the danger, the evidence was too strong in Christ's favor, it pointed to His origin and verified His claim. Note they say, "both our place and our nation", note the order. Their place is their positions, the governance they held, that token from Rome. These positions were more than a little profitable for them. They use the same excuse about Rome later to scare Pilate. Their disbelief is directly related to their love of money, not to facts.  

…11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” 12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” 13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha.… John 19: 11-13

Vs. 50-52 It is better for you that one man should die for the people - The author, John, goes on to describe this a prophetic. It is so, but in the way of Balaam, for Caiaphas is not of good intent here. He just has no problem with allowing one just man, one in the right to be treated wrongly in order to keep his power and influence. God is sovereign in all this though, and has called His Son to this very task. Caiaphas thinks he is wise and profound, but if he only knew just how profound the statement was. As far as avoiding the wrath of Rome, in A.D. 70 Rome will sack Jerusalem.

…20Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. 21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 22Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink,…

…23who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. 24Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.… Isaiah 5: 20-25

…45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.… Luke 24: 45-47

…19But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people. 21Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.… Genesis 50: 19-21

V. 53 They planned to kill Him - They would love to be away from Roman rule, not have to worry about being taxed by outsiders, so they would accept a Messiah that would guarantee the end of Rome, or just come in and do that. Jesus has called them to repentance for their evil, and they see themselves as good, followers of the law. He has called them hypocrites and to them this is undermining their authority. There are plenty of people who even go to church today that do not want a Christ that calls them to deny themselves. There are many among them that do not want Christ to return because it will interrupt their vacation plans, their plans to open a new business, get married, have children, it interrupts "their story." Human autonomy is a devilish deception, the highest treason and the most common form of mental illness. You do not exist on your own, and like the Pharisees, when you refuse Christ, you refuse the Landowner's Son, the way the, the truth and the life. 

…36Again, he sent other servants, more than the first group. But the tenants did the same to them. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’… Matthew 21: 36-38

V. 57 If anyone knew where He was - This will happen to His followers throughout history in various places. It puzzles me about Judas, when did he start thinking about these things, was he worried that someone else would cash in on the reward before he got what he thought should be his? It was such a small amount to sell out for though, but anything short of eternity is. 

…51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”… Luke 12: 51-53

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#1503 John 11 Part 2 Undone

 

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus *said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha *said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” 27 She *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.”

28 And when she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she *got up quickly and was coming to Him.

30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews—who were with her in the house and consoling her—when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to cry there. 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus therefore saw her crying, and the Jews who came with her also crying, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They *said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?”

38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, *came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus *said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, *said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus *said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the crowd standing around I said this, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus *said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. John 11: 17-46 LSB

John 11: 17-46

1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.… Ephesians 2: 1-3

20Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done. 22As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”… Genesis 8: 20-22

…2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” 3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”… John 3: 2-4

V. 17 In the tomb 4 days - This is not in a freezer at the morgue. There are too many witnesses to both his sickness and his death at this point. Jesus has purposely waited, knowing all along what He is going to do, that this is for the purpose of God's glory. 

V. 19 Many of the Jews - More witnesses. Jesus' miracles are very open things, on the streets, in the fields, in public places feeding the five thousand and healing many. 

V. 21 Lord if You had been here my brother would not have died - This is not sentiment towards a leader of a false healing ministry; His power is well known, proven. She had sent word to Him about the situation, probably in the hopes of His arriving to heal her brother. All four of the gospels agree on Jesus' healing ministry, that He performed many miracles associated with His claim of being the Son of God.

13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. 14When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him.… Matthew 8: 13-15

…24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written. John 21: 24-25

V. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You - She recognizes that God has withheld nothing from this man so far, but she is about to realize a whole lot more about this Man.

Vincent has a somewhat technical note which gives insight into Martha's statement - The verb aiteo is used of the asking of an inferior from a superior. Erotao is to ask on equal terms, and hence is always used by Christ of His own asking from the Father, in the consciousness of His equal dignity. Hence Martha, as Trench observes, “plainly reveals her poor, unworthy conception of His person, that she recognizes in Him no more than a prophet, when she ascribes that asking (aiteisthai) to Him which He never ascribes to Himself” (“Synonyms”). Bengel says: “Martha did not speak in Greek, yet John expresses her inaccurate remark, which the Lord kindly tolerated.”

Spurgeon has a fascinating comment noting that "There is faith there, and there is unbelief too. She believes that Christ can have what He wills of God, but she does not recognize His own personal Godhead — His own power to work resurrection." (See Vincent's comment above). - Precept Austin

…17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,… Matthew 28: 17-19

V. 23 Your brother will rise again - Jesus is talking about right now, like shortly after their conversation is done.

V. 24 I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day - This shows she had been paying attention as he taught, even when she was busy exercising her gift of hospitality. Martha is no small figure, when she entertains Jesus He is followed by at least 12, sometimes 70 in His company of disciples, plus those curious neighbors as well. Martha is the oil and the gears of her home. She is not without theology though, as no one should be, for it is the answer to the question, Who is God?, and the question, what is that to me? Her doctrine is growing, and the Teacher is utilizing this time of her brokenness, her stillness, to reveal the Great I Am. This is a dear conversation, something that I'm sure she held and cherished for rest of her life, that someone as busy as the Messiah took an aside with her, someone who is also a busy person herself. 

…28Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29and come out— those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. 30I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.… John 5: 28-30

…14Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. 15But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah Psalm 49: 14-15

…7On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken. 9And in that day it will be said, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”… Isaiah 25: 7-9

V. 25 I am the resurrection and the life - This is one of the most profound and fiercest statements in the Bible. If you are the life, then you did not receive it, you give it, you are the everlasting fountain from which life flows. Someone is probably looking for stones to throw again, and Thomas is probably thinking, "yep, we came here to die, and Jesus just sealed the deal with that statement." 

…20The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these. 21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes. 22Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,… John 5: 20-22

…43“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied. 44“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me—… John 6: 43-45

…25Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.… John 5: 25-27

…3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.… John 1: 3-5

…25But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. 26Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. 27I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!… Job 19: 25-27

V. 27 Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One Who comes into the world - She has been paying attention. It's a bit foggy like it is for His other disciples right now, but she believes many of the things written about Him in the OT, and what He says. This is the great moment of testing, what do we believe in our sorrows, in our loss and pain?

…48“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”… John 1: 48-50

…15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.… Matthew 16: 15-17

Spurgeon on I have believed - By which she as good as said, “I believe that, and I believe everything else. I have an implicit faith in thee. Whatever thou sayest, whatever thou hast said or shalt say, I am prepared to believe it all. for I believe in thee. I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Will not many of you make Martha’s grand confession of faith your own? Believe in Jesus, and then you will be able to believe anything and everything that he says. Our Lord’s greatest miracles were ever the reward of faith. - C. H. Spurgeon quoted by PA

V. 32 And fell at His feet - Mary, the one who washed Jesus feet with her hair, falls at His feet, a sign of His Lordship. She expresses the same understanding as her sister, that if Jesus had been there, He could have stopped it. This is a close family, a sweet family, in much sorrow.

…7And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne. 8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.… Revelation 5: 7-9

VS. 33-37 When Jesus therefore saw her crying...Jesus wept - This is a family of hospitality, dear to Jesus, known by many, and it is interesting to see how everyone is moved. Even those identified outside of Jesus's circle of disciples, "the Jews who came with her also crying", were all in grief, all shared in their sorrow, even commenting in v. 37 to the effect that couldn't this man who healed blindness have prevented this. This is the awesome part to me though, the proof of Isaiah, and I know I lean away from this level of empathy, imperfect in my approach. I feel the need to joke things away, or to cause enough degrees of separation so I don't feel, and my response is often a stoic repetition. Don't get me wrong, there are crocodile tears that I deal with every day in this world as well, that someone is angry and upset because people aren't giving them enough recognition, or they had to eat the same thing twice this week, or someone is parked in my favorite fishing spot. Certainly not everything deserves the level of empathy that it is demanding, but look at Jesus. I think at first, well, He knows them, and yes, that is true, but He also knows what He is about to do, yet still He weeps over their sorrow. 

…3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. 5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.… Isaiah 53: 3-5

…7During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. 9And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him… Hebrews 5: 7-9

V. 39 Lord, by this time he smells - Like I said, no refrigeration, his body is decomposing, everything inside is breaking down, the stone on the outside would only keep out large animals, but the bacteria inside the body is attacking all the dead cells. By 4 days he would smell like the worst road kill, beyond hoax for those that like to think Jesus' miracles were that. It's funny too, because the crowds that followed Him wanted miracles, wanted them every day, healing and feeding. No one contested that the miracles happened, but they wanted them to mean other than they did. They testified to Who He Is, that His claim of being God was no blasphemy. They didn't mind free food, only the suggestion that they needed to repent, for why do men love darkness? Because their deeds are evil. The problem for them is that His miracles seek His glory, the glory of God, the revelation of God With Us, Immanuel, and they want the miracles to be about them, for them, and to their own honor. They are dead in their trespasses and sins, and Lazarus is only physically dead. He smells of that death, they smell of a nature that God infinitely and eternally opposes. Martha still thinks He speaks of the far future resurrection, and what must a crowd, steeped in tradition about death and uncleanness, some true, some stretched, what must they be thinking?

Warren Wiersbe - There are three resurrections recorded in the Gospels, apart from that of our Lord Himself. Christ raised a twelve-year-old girl who had died (Luke 8:49–56), a young man who had been dead several hours (Luke 7:11–17), and an older man who had been in the tomb four days (John 11). They present a picture of three different kinds of sinners: (1) The little girl. Children are sinners, but open corruption has not yet set in. (2) The young man. Young people are sinners whose outward corruption begins to show. (3) The older man. Adults are sinners whose definite outward corruption can be seen. The point is that all three were dead. One person cannot be “more dead” than another. The only difference lay in the degree of decay. Is this not true of sinners today? The immoral church member is not “decayed” like the person on skid row, but he is still dead. (BORROW Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament page 240). - PA

The manufacture of new commandments is a very fascinating occupation for some people. You must not do this or that or the other, till one feels like a baby in reins. I find that ten commandments are more than I can keep without a deal of grace, and I do not mean to pay the slightest regard to any beyond. Liberty is the genius of our faith, nor do we mean to barter it away for the esteem of modern Pharisees. They say to us, ‘Thou shalt not laugh on a Sunday. Thou shalt never create a smile in the House of God. Thou shalt walk to public services as though thou wert going to the whipping post, and thou shalt take care when thou preachest that thou dost always make thy discourse as dull as it can possibly be.’ We do not reverence these precepts. Anything which is of God we honour, but not the sickening decrees of cant. We are men, not slaves. Our manhood is not annihilated by grace. We think, speak and act for ourselves, and are not the serfs of custom and fashion. We speak out our minds even when propriety is shocked and respectability is enraged. I would always give to young men this piece of advice: ‘quit yourselves like men’; let nobody have to say that your religion is mamby-pamby and your conversation affected. Do not be always sugaring every person you speak of as ‘Dear this’ and ‘Dear that,’ for this savours of nauseous hypocrisy. Do not whine or turn up your eyes or affect to be very devout. Be holy, but not showy, true, but not obtrusive. Be men, be manly, be Christians, be like Christ. He was the very highest type of man; you never see anything stilted or unnatural in him; he is always himself, transparent, outspoken, brave, honest, true and manly. - PA

V. 40 You will see the glory of God - The reason for the miracles. A small aside on the miraculous though. We live in bodies we did not design, and men try to make so light of it, like it is such an insignificant thing that it could come about on it's own. Some of them say that matter is God, something inert, frozen in space, suddenly exploded into meaningfulness, formed words and patterns like DNA, the language of life. Something chaotic and without intelligence started everything and became quite ornate and complex. That is beyond miraculous, it's simply unattainable, unobservable, beyond a childish fancy. There is a miraculous that can be observed because it follows the laws and boundaries assigned to it, and I was listening to Macarthur the other day on our fascination with the supernatural, with fantasy, and I thought it was a bit much at first. I thought about it again and again over the last few days and realized that I am living on a planet that I didn't make, with an ocean not fully described, in a Universe that is riddled with many mysteries. Every discovery of science has revealed how little I know and how much more there is to learn. There is no room for arrogance in this life, even one's perception and ability to collect and process data is based upon a mind and materials made by Someone else. It is all a miracle, all to the glory and honor of the Creator. It is all above me, the natural has come into being at the command of the Super natural. Things look designed because they follow a logical language, and they follow a logical language because God spoke and there it is. When Jesus does these miracles, what we call out of the ordinary or against the natural flow, that is Him pointing to Himself as the Author of all miracles. 

…13For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. 15My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.… Psalm 139: 13-15

V. 42 So that they may believe that You sent Me - The purpose of His miracles were to validate His person and claims. 

…3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.… Galatians 4: 3-5

V. 43 Lazarus come forth - Now He is doing this, raising Lazarus here again in this life, and yet Lazarus will come to this same place once more. It is not to his benefit to be brought back to this place, for it is far from glory, but it is of a great deal of benefit to all who witness this. He just told Martha, in front of all these witnesses, that He is the resurrection and the life. Their doctrine grew three sizes that day, except for those who remain in unbelief even in the face of insurmountable proof. This takes us back to John 3, this is the very picture of the doctrine of being born again. Did Lazarus will himself unto life? Did his death create some sweet work that the Lord could not resist? no, he just stank. Notice Jesus does not ask his permission to do this, just as no one asked you if you wanted to be born. It is the picture of the greater miracle, not of being resurrected unto this life, but unto eternal life. It is the marvel of regeneration, no mere act of a man's will, that will accomplish nothing. This is the same God who caused Sarah's dead womb to conceive. He can speak to the things He has made, and they must obey Him, to not obey is to be given over to judgement, it is death.

…15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”… Romans 9: 15-17

ANOTHER THOUGHT - This event suggests another great resurrection which could occur any day now, the Rapture of Christ's Bride! "The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (1Th 4:16+) Are you ready for the rapture beloved? Are you abiding daily in your Bridegroom "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming" (1Jn 2:28+)? (cf 1Co 15:51, 52+) (Related - Chart on Order of Resurrection; The two Resurrections - "First" and "Second" - charted out)

Steven Cole adds "C. H. Spurgeon applied this verse by challenging his congregation to believe God for the conversion of sinners who were as corrupt in their morals as Lazarus was in his body. We sometimes see people who are debauched sinners and think, “There’s no way that that person could ever get saved.” If salvation comes from human will power, that’s true. But if salvation is of the Lord, then He is mighty to save the chief of sinners." - PA

V. 44 Unbind him and let him go - His haters have to be formulating all sorts of superstitious nonsense about Him. The emotions were high in the beginning, everyone was in mourning, but this is too surreal, I have seen people pass out at the sight of a drop of their own blood, imagine this! It is interesting as one commentator pointed out, Jesus follower play a part, first in rolling the stone away, Jesus speaks, the man comes forward, and then here they unbind him. 

Vs. 45 & 46 Believed in Him...but some of them went to the Pharisees - Some believed after this, but others went and told on Jesus like He did something wrong. They would be just like those in communist countries who need to bury evidence that supports their opposition. It is why people attack the Bible in our day, because it has a proven record of history that has withstood many attacks. Now they are left with propaganda, like lawyers that are trying to win a case, the decision, not what's true, so you find a doctor or expert that will give the opinion you want about the evidence that both sides are reviewing. Hopefully his title will sway; he does look like an intellectual after all. Overthrowing governments requires that men remove and change history. I will pick up with this tomorrow. 

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