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Sheep Will Never Die

This week I have had several patients surprisingly pass from this earthly life. No one should be too surprised when a hospice patient dies. However, in the case of these ladies I had recently visited them and they were talking and feeling pretty well. Thankfully, both knew the Lord and were ushered into eternal life. The Lord was their shepherd.

As we transition from John 10 to John 11 we see Jesus boldly proclaiming who he is and who belongs to him as he concludes his sheep and shepherd illustration. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one (John 10:27-30). After telling Jewish leaders that they do not believe and are not his sheep, he makes these bold and comforting statements.

It reminds Christians that we are to be in tune with the shepherd and listen to him. We are to follow him. That provides safety and direction to us. While the enemy seeks whom he may devour, walking with the shepherd keeps the sheep sheltered. No one, including ourselves, can snatch the true sheep out of his hand. What a great place to be! Jesus also reiterates a common theme. God the Father and God the Son are one and work perfectly together. They would soon work hand in hand for as big of a miracle as the people would ever see.

John 11 is a very significant chapter because of what Jesus said and did. It also is important because of what it led to – the Shepherd laying down his life. I could easily write a series of articles on this event but will limit myself to this space. The passage is familiar but there is much we can learn and apply.

Lazarus was so sick that the only hope that his sisters had was their friend Jesus healing him. The word “sick” was used three times in the first three verses. By the time the messenger got to Jesus, our Lord knew that the one he loved had already died. Because Jesus wanted to glorify God he stated that “the sickness will not end in death” (John 11:4). Verse 6 seems very odd because it states that he would stay where he was for two days. When someone learns that a loved one is on their death bed, immediate action is normally taken. Jesus had a good reason to delay his trip.

As Jesus then travels with his disciples he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (11). The disciples wondered why Jesus would not just let him rest since sleep may be helpful when ill. Of course, sleep is a euphemism for death. Jesus was saying he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He had done the same thing for several others, but this case was a bit different.

When they arrived it was made clear that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days (17). This is significant because after three days, Jews believed that the soul and body were separated. There could be no coming out of a coma. Decomposition had begun. This is no doubt why Jesus had delayed the trip. The crowd of mourners for this influential family had grown.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (21-22). I do not think Martha was as much frustrated as she was making a demonstration of her faith. Mary would later make the same statement (32). They knew Jesus had the power to heal. Soon they would find out the unlimited extent of his power.

Martha knew about the resurrection and believed in it. What she did not know is that for one person, this would be resurrection day! Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this (25-26)?” To me, these verses rank up there with John 3:16 as far as impact. Notice that Jesus did not say that he merely provides resurrection and life. He is those things. There is nothing more powerful than the fact that the one who believes in Jesus will live even though they die! And in reality, no one actually dies spiritually. Everyone lives eternally. An important question is where that will be. What Jesus then asked Martha can be asked of everyone. Do you believe this?

It is not enough to believe that Jesus was a historical figure. Many believe that he was a prophet and great teacher. The fact that he existed is seldom argued. One must believe by faith that Jesus is the Anointed One and that he is God’s Son who was sent to die and be raised to eternal life. “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (27)

The one who came into the world was fully God and fully man. As both, he was moved with anger and sympathy when seeing the sisters and the place of burial. He was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (33). I think he was seeing firsthand the results of sin and the fall – sickness, mourning and death. Perhaps he was thinking of his own pending death. The tears of others moved him to weep himself as he did for Jerusalem (35; Luke 19:41). While some were impressed with Jesus’ love, others questioned his timing (36-37).

He then instructed that the stone be rolled away. Martha protested. It had been four days and as the KJV says “he stinketh” (39). But Jesus wanted them to believe in who he was and what he could do. He wanted the Father to be glorified (40). I believe once Jesus had prayed a grateful prayer that Lazarus “woke up”. Perhaps it occurred when Jesus called him by name. Either way, the crowd witnessed a dead man clearly being alive and walking from his tomb. It was time to lose the grave clothes. Jesus had spoken.

I close with several quotes that I hope will encourage you as you think about the fact that you too will physically die someday. Why did Christ raise Lazarus? Because he loved him and because it brought glory to God. That is why he saved us. We deserve to die and go to hell but because of his great love, he rescued us (Warren Weirsbe). He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave (Matthew Henry). Death is losing a tent and gaining a mansion (Charles Spurgeon). Death for a Christian is an awesome entrance into the glory of God. Don’t let the thought of death scare you as though you have lost. Let the world panic about death. Fear of death should not have power over your life (Jack Hibbs).

 

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