5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If
any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light
of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them,
Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of
sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was sleeping and that he wanted to go wake him. It is very hard to come right out and tell someone that a friend or loved one is dead. The word dead is hard to say. We use terms like gone to be with the Lord or passed away. It's hard to get the word out of our mouth. It sounds more final. It scares us; it hurts.
Lazarus was sick and messengers were sent for Jesus to come. They wanted him to heal him. He didn't go; he stayed away for days; Lazarus died. Mary and Martha reached out for Jesus while their brother was alive, yet when he died they quit looking for Jesus. They thought it was too late. His wake took place; his funeral and burial took place. There was no Jesus around.
Jesus knew all this, so he told his disciples they all would go to Judea; they immediately didn't want that. They knew people there wanted to harm Jesus. He simply told them their friend Lazarus was asleep and he wanted to go wake him. Of course, the disciples thought he was asleep. In their minds there was not a problem. Jesus had to come right out and use the harsh word and tell the disciples that Lazarus was dead
Jesus knows all things. He has all knowledge. He knows when we are sick, when life beats us down to the point we can't seem to bear it. Jesus knew Lazarus was sick; he knew when he was dying; he knew when Lazarus died, when the funeral was and when the stone was rolled up to the tomb. Jesus knew all about the condition of Lazarus, BUT IT DID NOT MATTER. Jesus was a friend to Lazarus. Mary and Martha thought Jesus had to be there to help or it would be too late. Jesus is never too late. Remember Jesus IS a FRIEND who WILL HELP when we need it. However, the sisters thought that as long as Lazarus was alive Jesus could help but not if he was dead.
The two most powerful forces on earth are death and sin. When we die, we do not breathe; people can call our name, but we cannot respond. We're dead. Death has such a power that nothing can stop it. We can do nothing to stay alive at our time to go. Death rules. It has its way.
We can do very little about the power of sin. We fail. We choose not to do certain things….but we still sin. We were born in sin, and it has a power over us just like the power of death. SIN BREAKS OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. Death put Lazarus in the family grave. There was nothing he could do. There is nothing we can do about sin either.
Jesus meant what he said when he said I go that I may wake him. Mary and Martha worried. Jesus didn't say Oops, I waited too long. Jesus was not worried. We should all pray, LORD, HELP ME TO WORRY AS MUCH AS YOU DO! He told the disciples that Lazarus was only asleep. To Jesus, death was nothing but being asleep. He just said I'm going to wake him. At the confusion Jesus turned and said Lazarus is dead. Remember who Jesus is. He did not worry about the power of death. He was telling them not to worry.
When Jesus got to the home, Mary told Jesus that if he'd been there Lazarus would not have died. Jesus told her he was the resurrection and the life. He asked if she believed that. He was saying it is as easy for me to wake him from death as it is sleep. He looked at them as if nothing was easier. IT IS EASY FOR JESUS TO TAKE CARE OF THE IMPOSSIBLE.
For their sakes, Jesus knew he must say the words; he didn't have to say them. He said Lazarus, come forth. Out of the darkness, from the impossibility of a tomb, Lazarus did just that. He came out. The first thing Jesus said is lose him and let him go. Imagine the face of Lazarus. Don't put a limit on Jesus. HE IS LORD.
The most important thing Jesus said was about light. He is the light. We don't have to worry about our future. It's ok. There is no help to be denied. Whatever comes or goes, if I trust Jesus I AM ALIVE FOREVER. Do you know how Lazarus felt? HE FELT ALIVE. Because Jesus lives–I can be alive. We need to trust him as our light, as our life. Trust him with your life. Let him touch you as he did Lazarus. He is your friend. Let him awaken in you what needs to be.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 