Revolutionary Revelation

FOREWORD

Caution! You are about to pick up the Bible book called The Gospel of John. Warning: Revolution inside. Revolution? Yep. It will bring changes. Right now people are content with the status quo and neither see any need for change nor desire one. That is the problem John addresses. The Holy Spirit knew that not enough teaching about Christ had existed for an entire generation through the earlier gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Thus God presented through His aged servant John a number of new revelations concerning Himself and His will and ways for humanity. These new revelations have become bywords to the Christian familiar with the Scripture, but to the world at large they are still unknown. For instance, John introduces us to the name of Jesus before He became a human (1:1), the knowledge and scope of grace (1:16-17), the fact that God loves the world, not just special people (3:16), availability of eternal life for all (3:16 and throughout), the New Birth (Ch. 3), and others. Those new revelations are so dynamic that they change lives. A new order will commence; a new golden age will begin. So Caution! If you want to protect your status quo, put on your helmet and goggles along with protective clothing and harden your heart and hearing. This gospel is the enemy of the status quo.

Sample from 11:23-44 –

21-22 – if Thou hadst been here – We understand Martha’s frame of mind, which was also in Mary; but the expression did sound peevish, somewhat as if they were blaming Jesus for Lazarus’ death. On the contrary, the ladies were probably expressing their unmoved faith in the Lord, that He could have prevented Lazarus’ death had He been there sooner, while not blaming Him for the delay. They had not asked, “Why weren’t You hear sooner?” even now – another sweet expression of confidence and faith in the Lord in the time of sorrow. whatever Thou askest - at any time. This does not suggest that Martha was hinting for a resurrection, but that He had the power to do anything according to the will of God. 23-24 – brother will rise again – This was not a new theology to the Jews. Job anticipated it (Job 19:26-27) as well as David (Psalm 16:10-11). That is why Martha responded, “I know.” at the last day – The problem for Martha was the timing; the last day was terribly far away, and she wanted her brother now. Why should not assurances about the end-times be our present-time comfort? The Christian hope is fulfilled in the end-time resurrection, which takes the sting out of death. 25-26 – I am the resurrection and the life – We rightly revere this important statement, but let us be reminded of what it means. Jesus Christ, He alone, is the One who has the power and authority of resurrection. It does not come spontaneously, such as many believe the world originated. It is not a destined life-change, which many cultures expect, some to other forms of life. Resurrection is mankind’s inevitable destiny only because Jesus was resurrected. There is also a difference between resurrection life and resurrection and the life. Many will be resurrected to eternal judgment (5:29), but the life received in Christ is the eternal reward given to the believer. believes in Me shall live – another benefit of believing. We have already seen that the believer will never perish (3:16) and never thirst (4:14). even though he die – Eternal life does not prevent or bypass natural death, but it does secure against eternal death. 27-28 – Yes, Lord, I believe – Her faith was evident in her devoted labors, but Jesus wants to make sure that she has it also in her heart. the Christ, the Son of God – It seems like a simple confession to us, but to the Jew it was astounding. The coming of the Christ is expected by every generation of Jews even to this day, but they have rejected the truth that the Christ had come in the person of Jesus Christ. When Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the Jews sought to stone Him (8:59, 10:31). Martha’s confession contradicted the popular Jewish notion. called her sister … secretly – She knew that Mary also wanted private time with Jesus, so she took over the duty of receiving guests. 29-30 – rose quickly and went – Being with Jesus takes priority over grieving. still at the place – Obviously the Lord was waiting for her. Jesus often deals the same way with us. He may not rush to us in our need but will wait for us to rush to Him. 31-32 – the Jews … followed her – Martha’s discreet ploy did not work. The people, always willing to be close at the time of grief, ignored Martha. In our eagerness to be present with one in time of need, we must remember that he also needs the time to be alone with the Lord for prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. Public comforts can deprive one of Christ’s comforts. supposing … going to the tomb – Since Mary had not announced her purpose, the crowd should have realized that their presence was not wanted. The exhortation is not just to hang around during sorrow or illness, but to be mindful of the other kinds of need that a griever has. 33-34 – saw her weeping … He groaned deeply – Yes, though Jesus is the great King, the plight of one of His beloved moves Him deeply. “For we have not a high priest Who cannot sympathize ….” (Hebrews 4:15) Jews … also weeping – Much of funeral weeping is put on for the appreciation of the survivors, and in the Jewish culture that practice had been elevated to a fine art. Also, friends are moved to weep when another starts weeping, but Jesus’ reaction was completely different. He carried her sorrow; He groaned under the heavy weight of it. was troubled – literally, agitated within Himself. His soul was stirred because people had to go through grieving, even after four days. Where have you laid him? – It is customary to pay respects at the grave. Come and see – the equivalent of “I’ll show you.” 35-36 – Jesus wept – This shortest verse in the Bible is also one of the most profound. He Who knew what was going to happen next Himself wept. He Who had power to wipe away all tears Himself wept. (Revelation 21:4) He Who in heaven had never known weeping now on earth wept. He Who urged no tears to be shed over Himself (Luke 23:28) now wept over others. Jesus did not weep over the deceased Lazarus, but over Mary and over all who afterward should lose a loved one. how He loved him! – not only Lazarus, but the whole world, including you and me. Can we begin to comprehend the depth of His love? However, this love was trifling compared to the love that drove Him to the cross for us. 37-38 – have kept this man from dying? – Of course He could have, but death is the common chain binding all men. (Hebrews 9:27) It would do little good to prevent the inevitable. Instead Christ would exercise Himself in what was not ordinary. again groaning in Himself – Perhaps by this time the disciples began to wonder why Jesus was so distraught. Though He had not come in time to help Lazarus, there were other dear friends and numerous others whose health and life needed him. Why such an ado? We can be assured it was not faked for the occasion. Human sorrow lies heavier on Christ’s heart than on others’ hearts, even loved ones’. cave and a stone lay against it – Shortly Jesus Himself will be in the same. Only the rich and prominent could afford the cave, but Jesus also identified with the rich in His death. (Isaiah 53:9)