Death, Where is Your Sting?  

John 11        

John chapter 11 is filled with sorrow, sadness and hopelessness. One of Jesus' closest friends passes away. Jesus hears the news while Lazarus is sick. Time still remains for Jesus to get to Bethany, to the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus and heal this sick friend whom loves.

Jesus has spent time in their home on many occasions. He is very familiar with each of them and has no greater desire than to meet this pressing, life and death need that is facing his friends. Yet!!! Yet!!! He is restrained by His Father to remain where he is. He is held by his Father's will to let his friend die.

This decision is not a calculated and calloused response to this request. No, this is Jesus clearly hearing his Father and responding in obedience. Jesus' statement to his disciples is that all that is happening around Lazarus is for the Glory of God. This is not for the fame of man, or to prove a point or to disprove someone's theology. No, this is in order to exalt God to the highest possible place and give him all the praise, honor and glory.

Nutshell: Lazarus, Jesus' friend dies and Jesus tarries until the 4th day. The family is sorrowful, neighbors are grieving with them, many are questioning why Jesus had not come. The climate is sad and morbid at best. This family has lost a brother and maybe even some of their faith in Jesus.

Jesus stands before the tomb of Lazarus not simply to raise a friend up from death, although I am certain in Jesus' heart there is probably great joy to know that his friend and these sister's brother will soon be restored to them.

Jesus is standing here to give death, hell and the grave a glimpse into what they will soon face in the heavyweight championship of the world. This brief exhibition of Jesus exercising his authority over is nothing compared to that moment when he will retrieve once and for all the keys of hell and death that have held man in its demonic and evil clutches since the fall.

Jesus is saying to the devil and all of his minions at Lazarus' tomb, "Let's get ready to rumble." Although only one will do any rumbling and only one will prevail. Hail to the King!!!! Hail to the Living God!!!