THE ONE

John 12:12-19

Look how the whole world has gone after him!

Here Jesus’ popularity reaches its apex. The people who were present when He raised Lazarus from the dead are spreading the news of this wonderful miracle.
He’s the One!

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, there is a spontaneous eruption of enthusiasm, awe and affection for Him. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!"

Meanwhile, not everyone is happy. The religious leaders see the threat. As Jesus popularity with the people increases, they know their power and influence is waning.

And they’re correct, because this is exactly what happens when people start listening to Jesus. The voice of the Teacher becomes the sole source of all authority. Every other competing voice fades into the background.

Why pay attention to any other when Jesus has all the answers about how to live a life that pleases God?

This is what every student of the Teacher understands. He has the best information on every subject! He is a complete and final authority for living the good life.

He alone knows the way to God.

Listening to Jesus, excitedly following Him, is what being a student of Jesus is all about.

WHAT TO GIVE?

John 12:1-11

…a dinner was given in Jesus' honor.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s only natural his family would want to do something to express their thanks. But what to give?

What do you give to someone who is so powerful He doesn’t need anything? Someone who even has the power over death? Someone who already has everything He needs?

What do you give to such a person when He brings your dear brother back to life?

Lazarus’ family chose to give the simple gift of a celebratory dinner in Jesus’ honor.

They invited guests. Martha served the meal and Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.

They gave the very best any person can give or receive – the gift of hospitality!

So what should we give to repay Jesus for giving His life for us? Dying for our sins? For His promise of a future resurrection?

Students of Jesus give the gift of hospitality also. Grateful students present the very same devoted attention to Jesus that was exemplified by Martha’s serving and Mary’s anointing.

This is the every day life of a student of Jesus. They open their hearts and lives to Jesus. Welcome Him and honor Him by paying special attention to Him.

A living celebration in His honor!

This is the greatest gift a human being can give to another. And of this gift we can almost hear Jesus say – Oh, this is just what I always wanted!

RIGHT AND WRONG!

John 11:45-57

You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.

Jesus is gaining students and the religious leaders don’t like it. They voice their concern over His growing popularity - If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him.

They are wrong in thinking this would be a bad outcome. They are actually opposing God’s Will. For God sent Jesus into the world for that everyone might believe in Him and be saved.

And they make another misjudgment. They think if Jesus replaces their authority with His own, the nation of Israel will perish. They fail to see God is the one who protects the nation and not them.

Based on these two false premises, they make a calculated decision. They plot to take Jesus’ life

In this terrible moment, Caiaphas, the high priest, gives a fateful prophecy.

You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.

In this Caiaphas is both right and wrong!

He is wrong in thinking that killing Jesus will save the nation. It won’t. In only a few years after Jesus’ death, Rome will burn Jerusalem to the ground.

But unknowingly, and for reasons he doesn’t understand, his prophecy is absolutely right. For Jesus has been sent by God to do exactly what he said – One man, Jesus, will die for the sins of all the people!

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

HE DIED TWICE!

John 11:38-44

It isn’t easy to die. At least a person only has to face it once, right?

Not Lazarus!

Jesus will call him back from the tomb. Incredibly, he will live again.

But this also means he will die again.

Lazarus died twice!

When we first read of Jesus bringing Lazarus back, the natural thought is, “What a blessing!”

Then we realize what seems like a second chance at life also means he was removed from a state where all his troubles were over. Brought back to a world where suffering is again possible for him.

Apparently Jesus knows he won’t mind.

Maybe Jesus knew his sisters Martha and Mary would need him in the future. In which case, Lazarus would gladly return.

We don’t know. What we do know is Jesus demonstrated His power over death by calling him from the grave to live again. What better assignment could any student of Jesus desire?

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

In this story we see the result for every student who follows Jesus. Who trusts Him!

There is a resurrection when life is over! The glory of God!

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

TEARS OF JESUS

John 11:28-37

Jesus wept.

Jesus is surrounded with grieving people. All friends of Lazarus who has died! The deceased is His friend too!

The Teacher is not aloof from the mourners. He does not stand above them. Instead, He weeps with them - He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

He did not hide His emotions. Everyone saw His grief.

Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

Here is a poignant picture of the compassion of Jesus.

His is a love expressed in real emotion. A love moved when sorrow comes to those who are the object of it.

Our Teacher is not a dispassionate observer of the lives of His students. He cares. Deeply!

Jesus wept.

How comforting to know His heart is moved by our sorrows. For every life has its share of them.

What a support this is to all who struggle to follow Him. For it isn’t easy to become like Jesus. What an encouragement to know of His genuine and heartfelt concern for us when we fail!

The tears of Jesus at the grave of Lazarus speak to us of a personal relationship the Teacher has with His students.

This is a Teacher students can trust with their hearts!

And as He raises Lazarus from the dead, we understand He is a Teacher we can trust with our lives!

THE DIFFERENCE

John 11:17-27

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

There is finality about death. Life is over!

Or is it?

Here the Teacher asks His students to believe what is beyond the possibility of human achievement. To trust He is able to offer continued life after death. He even claims to be the source of life.

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Lazarus is very dead, at least four days dead. Jesus plans to bring him out of the tomb. Give his life back to him.

But before He does this He asks the students standing there a question:

Do you believe this?

This is a question all who seek to follow Him must answer. And here He probes their faith in Him knowing full well He will prove His ability to keep the promise.

By the very nature of the case, this is what He must do with each of His students. For it is a question we must answer while we are alive, before we die, and have opportunity to personally experience the truth of His claim.

Martha, Lazarus’s grieving sister, answers for herself - "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

There are many teachers in the world. But only one Teacher who is able to give resurrection and life after death? This is The Difference!

NO MISTAKE

John 11:7-16

“But Teacher," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"

Here Jesus’ students question His decision to return to Judea. Why would He go back to a place where only a few days ago His enemies attempted to kill Him?
Surely this is a mistake!

No Mistake!

Jesus answered, “A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

The Teacher knows what He is doing. Unlike His enemies, Jesus is purposeful because He is walking in the light of His Father’s Will for His life.

His students don’t understand it yet, but Jesus is going back into the teeth of the opposition to fulfill His destiny.

Soon, Jesus will give Himself over to His enemies. That’s why He isn’t afraid of their stumbling efforts to destroy Him. In fact, at the right time their very hatred of Him will play into the plan of God.

And the Teacher has another purpose for returning to the Jerusalem area. He shares the news of the death of His friend Lazarus - Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.

Then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.”

Contrary to His student’s assessment, Jesus makes no mistake in returning. Nor are His actions – as they appear on the surface – either random or reactionary. He always clearly sees where the Father is leading Him because He is living in the light.

No mistake. It is the sure-footed walk possible for every one who comes to the Light. Those who walk in darkness stumble and fall.