The powerful but tearful presence of God
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John 11: 1-44
God is good…All the time. All the time…God is good. I’m not sure if you all know this call and response, but it’s a popular thing to share for many Christians, and I’d like you to remember this as we explore today’s gospel, which is a rollercoaster of emotions, misunderstandings, and demonstrations of God’s power.
I. Misunderstandings
In the very first verse of today’s gospel, the message comes to Jesus that his friend Lazarus is sick. Instead of rushing to see Lazarus, which would seem normal…he acts very oddly. First, Jesus declares that Lazarus won’t die from this sickness, and that this is all about God’s glory. But then Jesus waits another two days before going to see Lazarus.
The disciples definitely don’t understand, and the misunderstandings begin. After two days, Jesus says to the disciples that they need to go now, because Lazarus has fallen asleep. The disciples take Jesus literally, and they say, if he’s only sleeping, he’ll be fine. This misunderstanding Is almost a comedy! Jesus is using a cultural euphemism. It was very common in Jesus’ day to refer to death as sleep. But, somehow, this goes right over the disciples’ heads. So, Jesus looks at them, and says frankly, Lazarus is dead. Ohh!
But the misunderstandings continue - Don’t go there, Jesus – they say! The disciples point out, that Lazarus’ town is the same place where the people – only a few days ago - tried to stone Jesus to death! Don’t go there, Jesus! But, Jesus insists. Thomas looks at the rest of the disciples and says, ‘Let’s go, we might as well die with him!”
The disciples couldn’t imagine anything good about this visit. Misunderstandings about the timing… misunderstandings about Lazarus sleeping…and then even the whole point of going to Lazarus’ town seems unclear to the disciples.
Mary and Martha were left to wait on Jesus’ coming. But God’s ways are often beyond our understanding at any given time. It seemed odd, and hard to understand. But now, looking back some things can become clearer. For example, Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. That is significant, because there was a common belief at this time among the Jews, that after death, a person’s soul would linger near the deceased body for three days, hoping to re-enter it. It wasn’t until the fourth day, when a body would usually show signs of decomposition, that the soul would leave definitively.
God had a purpose in delaying, but Mary and Martha had no way to know this. I can relate to this. I think for most of our lives, we often don’t understand what God is up to. We don’t know what we don’t know. Much of our lives are shaped by waiting on God, without understanding God’s timing – perhaps God’s Word – and even God’s purpose – they are all so easy to misunderstand. It is in times of waiting and not understanding that we do well to hold onto that conviction that God is good…all the time.
II. Emotions
What comes next is the shortest verse in the Bible – which is packed full of meaning: “Jesus wept.” The tears of Jesus show his humanity. But what is he feeling? We can guess he grieves the death of his friend. We can guess he is empathizing with Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha. Both are overcome in sadness and crying. Both say to Jesus, “If you had been here, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.” And Jesus wept. He takes time to sit in the sadness of loss, and empathize with his friends.
But, I think he may have more reasons for tears. This is God Almighty in Jesus. He knows already that he is about to raise Lazarus from the dead. But…that is also an emotional thing to face. It’s easy to imagine as Jesus thinks about Lazarus’ death and resurrection…it resonates with what he must have known about his own future. Jesus will face his own death, very soon.
In fact, as Jesus weeps, he must be aware that raising of Lazarus from the dead will be a sign, pointing to his own immanent death and resurrection.
As Jesus approached the cave-like tomb where Lazaus had been laid for four days…in verse 38, it says he was filled with emotion. “He was greatly disturbed.”
● Is he angry – at the sin of this world and those who are about to kill him?
● Is he tearful, with joy about the miracle of life from death?
Have you done something that you knew would be significant for everyone watching…and felt like you could hardly hold back tears? Jesus, human Jesus, is demonstrating something absolutely awe-inspiring to everyone with eyes to see. Here is a sign that death will not have the final word. Not on Lazarus today…not on Jesus at the cross…and not on anyone who believes in him. I love that Jesus is filled with emotion – even tears – as he feels the room, in empathy with everyone there.
This is a huge moment in the Gospel of John. This moment is the last – and greatest - of seven amazing signs given by Jesus for everyone to see.
III. Remember God’s Way is life-giving
If I had to title this sermon, I think I’d call it, “The Powerful but Tearful Presence of God.”
God is not unfeeling or indifferent. Even when you and I feel God is nowhere, and seems far away at best…Jesus loves us tremendously. Jesus is all about empowering us to have life and have it abundantly! Yet, we may not understand the timing. We may have a whole host of misunderstandings about where God is and what God’s purpose is. But in the end, God is good…God gets you…and God is close at hand, working, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28 , “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Jesus is close to us in our grief, our doubts, failures, and our fears.
● Mary sees the risen Jesus through her tears.
● Thomas comes to see the risen Jesus through and despite his doubts,
Jesus doesn’t say silly old Thomas, he says, “Okay, Thomas, be my guest. Here you are.”
● And then in John 21, Peter meets the risen Jesus in and through his failures and fears,
and Jesus even reminds him of his failures, and that’s how he gets to know Jesus’ new call for his life.
So, I think it's important to notice today that tears and doubts and failures, which is where we all are again and again…Jesus doesn’t say, “Get over it,” Or “Grow a spine!.” No, Jesus comes to meet us in those moments, and that is powerful. God is powerful and tearfully present for you. Through all our tears, and doubts and failures, we can trust that God goes with us, and that… All the time, God is good.
Amen.
Pastor Doug Cox