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John

John 
Day 
Day 149

A humanly impossible task

Text: John 11 : 17-44

A HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE TASK

With great sadness of heart, Jesus walked to the tomb of Lazarus. John noted the sadness in His demeanour even as He made His way to where Lazarus was entombed.

“Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb.
It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.”
John 11:38

What was in His heart and mind as He came to the tomb? Could He have recalled what He had said on an earlier occasion?

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,
you will by no means believe.”
John 4:48

Jesus had always astonished His Disciples and those around Him. His words, His responses, His approaches were always startlingly unique. He would surprise them yet again.

The crowd must have watched Jesus as He came to the tomb with Martha and Mary. Word must have gotten around that He loved this family dearly. He had just missed seeing Lazarus alive. Had He been there just a few days earlier, He might have healed him. But now Lazarus was dead and entombed!

The dead were usually buried in caves. Wealthier ones had special caves with stone doors rolled over the mouth of the cave! Jesus came to the tomb and then said,

“Take away the stone.”
John 11:39

What was Jesus thinking of? How could He ask the servants to roll away the stone that covered the tomb of Lazarus! It is wonderful that Jesus had come to be with the family. They appreciated His Presence. But why did Jesus ask for the stone to be rolled away? He couldn’t be wanting to visit Lazarus in the tomb, could He? Everybody was puzzled!

Martha, of all people, protested. She said,

“Lord, by this time there is a stench,
for he has been dead four days.”
John 11:39

It was Martha who said that she believed that Jesus was “The Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27). There is no need to question the validity of her faith. However, she did not know how to apply that faith in the realities of life. Her faith in Christ did not enable her to believe beyond a certain degree. She couldn’t understand what Jesus was trying to do when He asked that the door to the tomb be removed! Not in the wildest dream could she imagine what Jesus was going to do next!

BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF GOD

John traced the theme “Glory of God” carefully in his Gospel. As he began writing his Gospel, he reflected on the glory that belonged to Jesus in the most unique sense of the word.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten
Of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

On the occasion of the first miracle Jesus performed, John reflected on the theme of glory again.

“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested His glory; and His disciples
believed in Him.”
John 2:11

Jesus had always sought the glory of His Father. He taught this and practised this most consistently.

“He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true,
and no unrighteousness is in Him.”
John 7:18

Jesus now addressed the subject of the glory of God to Martha.

“Did I not say to you that if you would believe
you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40

Jesus challenged Martha to exercise her faith in Him. If she would do that, she would behold a special manifestation of the glory of God. There had been a severe lack of faith on the part of both Martha and Mary. That must cease! They must battle this problem of unbelief and overcome it! They must exercise faith in the One they proclaimed was the Christ, the Son of God!

THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

Jesus had taught His Disciples much. The problem was whether they could believe and apply what they had learned. Jesus once taught on the subject of the resurrection of the dead (John 5:24-30).

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them,
even so the Son gives life to whom He will…
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which
all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth…”
John 5:21, 28-29

What glory there was in Jesus! He could give life to anyone He wished, whether it is physical or eternal life! Could His Disciples really believe that?