“All in Good Time” Summer Series: “Lifting the Lowest of the Low: Jesus the Friend Like No Other” (John 11:32-44) Twelfth Installment

The pro football Hall of Fame recently enshrined their newest members into the league’s highest honor. Coach Bill Parcells was one of the inductees. He was known throughout his career for offering the most entertaining press conferences. No one handled reporters and the media better than he did. Didn’t matter if he won or lost, he’d always have a great quote. He had a response for any team that has lost every game, but still insisted they’re really better than that. “You are what your record says you are.” My personal favorite didn’t originate with Coach Parcells, but he made it famous. “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, then everyday would be Christmas.”

Coach Parcells didn’t have any patience after his team loss and a reporter would ask questions with words “If” or “but” in it. He had no tolerance for after speculation.

It’s useless to keep dwelling on things that happened and to imagine what would have been if things had only been different. In the world of sports, after a devastating loss, the analysis the next day picks apart every crucial play. Of course the coach on the winning team made all the right decisions. The coach on the losing team made wrong decisions. Perhaps if just one or two decisions had been different. This is how it turned out, but our star player got hurt and theirs didn’t. Good coaches won’t allow their teams to use this language. Reality is what it is and it aint what aint.

Speculating on what could have been and what might have been is unproductive, only leads to continued heartache. It’s unhelpful in sports, but more unhelpful spiritually.

1 The story of Lazarus demonstrates how those surrounding the situation had a belief in Jesus, but only to certain degree. There’s never a doubt in the crowd’s mind

Jesus was capable of great things. However, there were limits even Jesus couldn’t overcome. “Jesus, how good it is you’re here now, ‘if’ you’d only been here sooner.”

“See how Jesus loved Lazarus, ‘but.’” Jesus arrived on the scene and immediately the after speculation begins. This is not speculation from a group of atheists. The people analyzing what has happened is convinced Jesus could have done something,

“if” he’d come before Lazarus crossed the point of no return. When a crisis reaches a certain level, it’s considered irreversible. The crowd is experiencing more than grief.

They are genuinely confused and disappointed in Jesus. No one would have any reason for confusion or disappointment if Jesus was incapable of doing anything.

“If” Jesus had only come earlier. Jesus loved Lazarus, “but” why not come sooner?

Whenever a tragedy arises, the temptation is to begin speculation. The “If onlys” begin to flow. On one side of the equation is this consideration. Perhaps Jesus would have done something if he could, but he was unable to. No one would hold this against Jesus. They would know Jesus cared, but Jesus lacked the power to make a difference. On the other side of the equation is this consideration. Perhaps Jesus could have done something and was able to, but didn’t. Why did Jesus allow this to happen? Jesus knew Lazarus needed help and delayed coming to do something.

Elisabeth Elliott once said, “The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be.

It may seem at first worse, but in the end it’s going to be better and a lot bigger.”

2 This thought never occurred to anyone in the crowd. Their speculation was based on their own limited view. They were sure Jesus could help within limitations. They judged what was possible by their own understanding. Crisis moments break down into neatly defined categories from our estimation. In one column there is the highly possible. In another column is the moderately possible. In another column is the slightly possible. In the last column is the totally impossible. Lazarus had been dead for more than 4 days. This was irreversible, the point of no return. Jesus could have made a difference if he’d been there sooner. No one considered that Jesus had something planned that was better and a lot bigger. No one considered that Jesus desires to bring us to the place of full, unqualified confidence, where we trust in Him no matter what we’re up against. It’s not a coincidence as we approach life, Jesus has a way of pushing us into circumstances from strong possibility to totally impossible.

John has the scene unfold almost in an amusing way. Jesus walks before the tomb and requests for the removal of the stone. Those who knew Jesus best respond, “Is that really such a good idea? Surely Lazarus is decomposing by now. Nothing can be accomplished by this. He’s past the point of no return. All we’re going to witness is the cold reality of the irreversible.” The crowd was convinced there was no further way Jesus needed to remind them of their disappointment. Open the tomb so we can have a better look at what could have been different? If you’d only been here. You were his friend, but why the delay? Jesus is never satisfied with confidence in his ability to change the slightly possible. He wants our trust in the totally impossible.

3 The crowd was disappointed in Jesus because they interpreted delay as denial.

From their perspective Jesus had failed them. It’s a hard thing to continue on as disciples when the thought in the back of one’s mind is dominated by ifs and buts.

Jesus bids us to follow Him. Some might continue to follow Jesus wondering about his limitation of power. There are some things Jesus would like to do, but can’t. This is acceptable. What is less acceptable is the tormenting thought, there are some things Jesus is fully able to do, but won’t. Those who thought they knew Jesus best had underestimated Jesus. He was using circumstances to take them deeper than they could have ever dreamed was possible. The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem at first to be worse, but in the end it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger. The delay wasn’t a denial at all, but part of larger purpose only Jesus knew about. He doesn’t ask for disciple’s understanding, only their trust.

Who could blame anyone in the crowd for their disappointment? The same people looking on had heard the stories of Ezekiel standing over that field of skeletons.

Those remains had crossed the point of no return. There was a story in their own tradition about never underestimating God, especially in those moments when confronted by what looked totally impossible. No one has any trouble trusting when facing the highly possible. One can even find it within themselves to trust when facing the moderately possible. With a little effort, one might even find it within themselves to trust when facing the slightly possible. Jesus has a way of taking His people to the place of the totally impossible. This is where we see He is truly Lord.

4 Jesus told his disciples, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” There was no home Jesus could call His own, but

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus made theirs available for Jesus and the disciples. What a tremendous sacrifice to make. Surely Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had already heard of the multiple times Jesus had healed people without even needing to arrive in person. All Jesus would do was speak a word and the afflicted was made well at a distance. Jesus did this for people who had done nothing for Him. Is it so wrong to assume that opening one’s home to Jesus would inspire at least equal favor in return?

Jesus hears the news about Lazarus’ illness and not only fails to speak a word on the spot, Jesus lingers for additional time. We normally expect the people who have received our hospitality to respond with similar good graces. Jesus was supposedly

Lazarus friend, “but.” What good is it to show hospitality when this is the end result?

Disappointment is always greater when ties are stronger. Mary, Martha, and

Lazarus would have never given it a second thought if there was only a casual acquaintance with Jesus. They went out of their way for Jesus perhaps more than any other family in the Gospels. The one with no home was given a place and welcomed in as if their home was His home. Meals were prepared for Jesus and the disciples.

Financial support was provided for Jesus and the disciples. All of this was offered to

Jesus at great risk because Jesus was fiercely opposed by people who had influence.

There was enormous cost on multiple levels to lend a helping hand to Jesus. It appeared by Jesus’ reaction not even minimal acknowledgement was given in return.

5 It is in this story of Lazarus’ death that we get the shortest verse in the Bible, only two words, “Jesus wept.” The Gospels frequently display Jesus in moments of passion, but this is the only occasion where there is explicit reference to Jesus weeping over something. The dominant assumption upon reading this is that Jesus wept over the loss of Lazarus. This could be part of the explanation, but perhaps there is a larger reason Jesus’ emotions were provoked. How interesting Jesus is not seen weeping on the cross over His own wounds. What brings Jesus to tears is not caused by physical pain. All those looking on suspected if Jesus really loved Lazarus, then Jesus should have done all that He was capable of doing. Jesus weeps over the suspicious mentality that He is capable of doing something and yet chooses not to.

Why if we were Messiah we would handle it so much better than Jesus did. Little did the crowd know Jesus was surpassing their desires in ways they couldn’t expect.

By this episode, Jesus had already raised two people from the dead. Neither of the other two had past the point of no return like Lazarus had. Both Mary and Martha were convinced Jesus was capable of doing something, but only if he had arrived earlier. The temptation is to look at circumstances and to judge what Jesus can do by human standards of evaluation. What provokes the most passion from Jesus is when

His commitment to friendship is called into question. He tell us He cares about us, but there is the feeling He lets us down. There is the feeling Jesus is capable of doing things to help but chooses not to. Jesus has better and bigger plans for His people, but His sadness for our lack of understanding is what causes more pain than a cross.

6 Look at what happens under the mentality of “ifs” and “buts.” Not a single person in the crowd is shaking a fist in Jesus’ face. At least at this point, there is not a single person who is shouting “Crucify Him.” There is no outward hostility. All signs indicate the people who are disappointed are still interested in following Jesus, but with confusion reigning in their hearts. No one is shaking a fist, but unfortunately, no one is on bended knee either. The incident serves as confirmation that it doesn’t take anger or rage to keep a person from the level of devotion Jesus seeks. John Owen captured the idea when he observed, “We cannot enjoy peace in this world unless we are ready to yield to the will of God. Our time is in His hands and at His disposal.

We must accept that as best.” As long as “ifs” and “buts” are given any place of influence, worship is defeated no differently than if defeated by out right rejection.

Peace is only possible when Jesus’ authority is accepted with no questions lingering.

At the end of the story, once Lazarus is brought back from the dead, hostile opponents seek to cause Jesus trouble. It’s at this point when the talk of eliminating

Jesus begins to escalate. The irony of course is that by now the miracle everyone had wanted Jesus to do has been given. It would seem in this case Jesus is in a no win position. People are disappointed if He doesn’t do a miracle and people are disappointed if he does do a miracle. In Chapter 12:10-11 there is a report the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus because on account of Him they feared people would believe in Jesus. Malice can keep a person from worshipping Jesus. However, it doesn’t take anything this extreme. Allowing confusion to reign also clouds the heart.

7 Faith that believes only up to the slightly possible doesn’t go far enough. “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind have healed this man’s illness?” This question indicates a level of belief. There is only one miracle in the Bible that Jesus alone performed and no other figure either before or since could match. Both Elijah and Elisha raised people from the dead. The one thing no one else did was open the eyes of the blind. There was a firm Hebrew belief whenever someone showed up who was capable of healing the blind, it was a sign the Messiah had arrived. Anyone who could open the eyes of the blind would signal to the world what no other person was able to do. The Messiah would surpass every other miracle worker in Old

Testament history. God brought about a miracle for Ezekiel and raised an entire valley of dry bones into a full standing army. If the crowd was convinced Jesus could open blind eyes, why weren’t they also convinced He could surpass all OT prophets?

Jesus has a way of pushing His people to deeper commitment. The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be worse at first, but in the end it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger. The crowd was faithful enough to grant Jesus the ability to open blind eyes because this miracle was already witnessed.

No one has any trouble believing in something when it’s been done. What Jesus desires is for His people to trust Him without having any concrete confirmation ahead of time other than Jesus’ authority that He can do what He’s promised to do. He is not satisfied with our faith in what we deem to be the slightly possible. At some point in our journey He will lead us to the place where something will appear impossible.

8 For those who follow Jesus, the fellowship is sweet as long as Jesus does what we expect Him to do, on our timetable and by our preferences. Disappointment creeps in the moment delay occurs. A crisis arises and Jesus does not act according to our timetable or preferences. A clinched fist is sometimes more honest than carrying silent suspicion deep in the heart. One goes through the motions but always in the shadows of prayer life is the lingering thought, “If only.” Jesus’ delays are not Jesus’ denials. Martin Luther King offers the prayer a disciple must learn to pray if toxic confusion is to be avoided. “Use me God. Show me how take who I am, what I want to be, what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” Upon arrival,

Jesus announced it was a privilege Lazarus was dead. Someone probably needed to explain this to Lazarus before he expired. While going through the experience, it hardly felt like a privilege, but looked to him and his family as more like a curse.

Jesus was always giving His disciples the forward perspective, not the backward perspective. Everything Jesus did, was carried out to offer testimony for glory. It’s what Paul means when he says the troubles of this world aren’t worthy to compare to the glories which await those who love Jesus. Jesus assures there are destinations so large that it justifies the journey. The faithfulness Jesus seeks is a devotion to purposes better and bigger than ourselves. What Lazarus didn’t know was the Jesus he thought had delayed was present with Him in ways deeper than he could have known. What appeared as a delay from Lazarus perspective was a privileged high calling. It is high calling Lazarus would choose for himself if he could see the end.

9 Last Christmas I saw Child of the Promise for the first time. I enjoyed it so much

I bought the CD of the original show from 2000 in Washington DC that cast many well known artists. One of the songs was entitled, “When the Dream Never Dies” and it is performed by the character Elizabeth. Remember from the Christmas story how Elizabeth was childless in he aging years? There’s a line from the song, “And then when He’s certain it’s not born of men He calls for the fire to rekindle again. He asks me to know in my heart what’s not seen with my eyes.” It’s not hard to keep the dream burning when there are high possibilities. One may even keep the dreams burning when there are moderate possibilities. One can try real hard and keep the dreams burning when there are slight possibilities. Jesus calls us to keep the dreams burning even when there are only total impossibilities before us. He calls us to keep trusting in Him when the things we hope for cannot come by the hands of any human.

What’s worse than the death of physical life is the death of hope. Only Jesus can speak words and draw hope from out of the ash heap. For those things in our lives we’ve buried and tired to forget, Jesus insists on keeping the dreams alive.

Kierkegaard was surely right when he said, “Life is only understood backward, but it must be lived forward.” Just when we moved one doubt from the impossible to the highly possible, Jesus is more interested in taking us to places even higher. The challenges will rarely look the same way twice. At some point one must forget about the challenges altogether. There must be little consideration about how they arise or from where or when. Our calling is to simply keep trusting in Jesus, no matter what.

10