Crisis at Bethany
John 11 (read verses 1-17)
As we continue “walking with Jesus” we walk with Him to a suburb of Jerusalem called Bethany. There is a crisis in Bethany.
This was not a crisis of the mind. It was a real crisis. Some people imagine something is wrong, when in reality, nothing is wrong.
- This was not a man-made crisis. Some people bring a lot of trouble upon themselves.
- This was not a manageable crisis. This crisis was beyond the ability of Mary and Martha to resolve it. God would have to solve it.
- This is a message of HOPE– God is bigger than what held Lazarus in the grave. He is bigger than the crisis in your life.
The TELLING of the crisis (v. 3).
- They did not ASK Jesus to come. They simply believed Jesus would come if He knew what the situation was.
- They did NOT tell Jesus what to do. Psalm 37:5– “Commit thy way unto the LORD [our responsibility]; trust also in him [not dictate to Him]; and he shall bring it to pass [in His own way; in His own time; according to His own purpose].”
- They did NOT say to Jesus, “He who loves You is sick.” It is not our feeble love for Him, but His infinite love for us and we need.
The TIMING in the crisis (v. 6). We don’t like delays. We want to get through the crisis as quickly as possible.
- Jesus was about a day’s journey from Bethany (10:40). It would take one day for the messenger to get to Jesus. Jesus tarried two more days (v. 6). It took another day for Jesus to arrive at Bethany—Total four days (v. 17). Lazarus was already dead before Jesus got the message.
- The TARRYING in the crisis. Why did Jesus tarry? (1) The miracle would have been challenged if it occurred too quickly after Lazarus death. But to raise Lazarus after he been in the grave four days would be indisputable. (2) Jesus tarried that greater things could be done.
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Delay of glory (vs. 4, 40). We look at things view a SHORT PERSPECTIVE. Right NOW!
Look beyond your current crisis to the glory of God that will be revealed in the crisis. Look to what God is doing—not to what you are suffering.
I. The God Who Comes To Where We Are (John 11:17, 20, 28).
- God comes to us. He does not leave us to ourselves!
- God comes to where we are to get us to where we ought to be!
- I am here today because God did not leave me to myself!
A. He comes in His own TIME (vs.6,17 cf. 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1).
B. He comes into our own TROUBLE—“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1)
II. The God Who Becomes What We Need. (vs. 17-27).
A. He becomes the SUFFICIENT One. He is the “I AM…” He is more than enough for our need. He is more than adequate!
PARTIAL SERMON
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