King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Chapters: John Chapter 11
Message: Four Days Late
Hello My Friend,
Every time I read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead I think about this song, Four Days Late, [The news came to Jesus, please, come fast, Lazarus is sick and without Your help he will not last. Mary and Martha watched their brother die, They waited for Jesus, He did not come, And they wondered why. The deathwatch was over, buried four days, Somebody said, He’ll soon be here, the Lord’s on His way. Martha ran to Him and then she cried, Lord, we don’t understand why You’ve waited so long, But His way is God’s way, not yours or mine. And isn’t it great, when He’s four days late, He’s still on time.
Jesus said, Martha, show me the grave, But she said, Lord, You don’t understand, He’s been there four days. The gravestone was rolled back, then Jesus cried, Lazarus come forth, then somebody said, He’s alive, he’s alive he’s alive. (he’s alive, he’s alive). You may be fighting a battle of fear. You’ve cried to the Lord, I need You now, But He has not appeared. Friend don’t be discouraged, ‘Cause He’s still the same, He’ll soon be here, He’ll roll back the stone, And He’ll call out your name (call out your name)
When He’s four days late and all hope is gone, Lord, we don’t understand why You’ve waited so long, But His way is God’s way, not yours or mine, And isn’t it great, when He’s four days late, He’s still on time (He’s still on time). God, it’s great, when He’s four days late, He’s still on time (He’s still on time) (On time)]
We may not understand God’s timing, we may not understand His ways, and we may not understand why, but we can understand that He loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son so that we may live with Him forever, [John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.]
Out of all the disciples and out of all the men and women who were written in the Bible to testify of their faith in Christ, John, is the one who expressed Christ’s love of mankind more than all of them. In an odd coincidence, as we continue in the reading of the Gospels, John, records of another Lazarus apart from the one we read about yesterday. This Lazarus, was the brother of Mary and Martha, and became gravely ill.
[John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.]
[he whom thou lovest is sick.] Now, Jesus, loved and gave His life for all mankind, but He does tend to give more attention to those who love Him back. The best way that we can show our love to Christ is one; accepting Him as our Saviour, and two; living the rest of our days through Him. Now, Jesus, has a specific way in which He draws each person to Him, and while His invitation is open to anyone and everyone, His focus is on the ones that believe in Him even before He has an opportunity to reveal Himself to them. Now, Jesus, was about to use this news to His advantage, He actually waited a couple of days before He headed to their house.
[John 11:6-11 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.]
[Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go,] Notice that Jesus waited until Lazarus died before He left, but the disciples, fearing for His life, advised Him to stay behind. However, Jesus, had a purpose for waiting so long and had to spell it out to them that Lazarus had already died.
[John 11:12-16 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.]
[I am glad for your sakes that I was not there,] At this point, it had been about three and a half years since the disciples gave up everything and followed Jesus, they had seen Him heal and rebuke evil spirits so much so that it became normal to them. We need to be careful that we do not get so use to a routine that we lose sight of what Jesus had done for us, [Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.]
[Let us also go, that we may die with him.] Doubting Thomas, was convinced that Jesus was going to die if He went back to Jerusalem and was willing to die with Him, but this is the same man who needed to see proof that Jesus arose from the dead. Our faith may be strong in Christ, but are we willing to give our life for Him? Jesus, actually does not want us to die for Him as in becoming a human sacrifice, what He wants is for us to become a living sacrifice, [Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.]
Well, apart from the girl that was raised merely hours after she died, they had never seen anyone resurrected, and what Jesus was about to do would make instant believers out of at least most of the disciples. Now, by the time that Jesus arrived it had been four days since Lazarus died. When Martha heard that Jesus was close by she ran to where he was.
[John 11:18-23 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.]
[Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.] It is always the hope of every person who believes in God, that He would miraculously cure us or our loved ones, but God knows what is best for each and every one of us. In fact, some of the greatest testimonies have come from those whom have had lost loved ones. All things whether it be life or death, happiness or sorrow, feast or famine, work together for good and to show us that God truly does love us, [Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.]
In this case, Jesus, was about to use Lazarus to show the people that even death can be conquered. And did understand that there would come a day when her brother would rise again, in fact, she confirms that, [John 11:24-27 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.]
[Believest thou this?] Jesus, wanted to make sure that Martha understood that without Him there is no resurrection. Now, Martha may not have understood what Jesus said completely, but she did believe that He is the Christ. Sometimes, the only thing that keeps us sane is the comfort of knowing that whatever happens at least we have Jesus, [1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,]
Meanwhile, Mary, was still attending to the guests at their house, but when she heard that Martha met up with Jesus she ran to where He was. When the people in the house saw her running they assumed that she was going to the grave where Lazarus lied so they followed her too.
[John 11:30-33 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,]
[he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,] I imagine that Jesus does this quite often, even with His own, even Mary asks Jesus what took Him so long to come. I can see Him shaking His head, feeling grief over the way these people reacted, who had no faith whatsoever. Now, Jesus does not have to prove to anyone who He is, or what He is capable of, but He was about to do something that no prophet or priest could ever do, that would bring many people to believe in Him. Jesus, asks where they laid Lazarus.
[John 11:34-39 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.]
[Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!] These tears were indications of Christ’s individual love for Lazarus, but He has given ample proofs no less evident of His love to all His people, in that he died for them. We may never understand death, but we can understand that one man loved man so much that He gave His own life for them, [Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.]
[by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.] Seriously! Did she not remember the conversation she had with Jesus? It is so easy for us to believe in what is right in front of us or possible in our own abilities, but if we are honest, it is not so easy to believe that God can do the impossible. Well, Jesus reminder Martha of that conversation, then when they took the stone away said a prayer.
[John 11:40-43 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.]
[Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe,] How often does Jesus have to ask us this question? This brings tears to my eyes as Jesus reminds me that I have rushed way too many times to get things done the way I thought they should be done only to have to wait even longer. Many times we even miss out on things that God would have given us had we believed that He alone would do the things in His time. Jesus, will always, always respond to our faith, we are insulting Him by trusting Him to save our soul and not trusting Him with the things that we think we can handle on our own. We definitely have a need of patience and not the patience that we think we have, but the patience that Jesus has, [Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.]
[he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.] I will never forget the day I heard Jesus cry out to me with a loud voice, [Get Up! I did bring you here to leave this way!] I got really sick by taking two medicines that caused a reaction and it was a near death situation. I was a fairly new Christian, had been struggling with so much and nothing I did helped, but Jesus loved me so much that He took me to the Book of Job and then I understood. There is not a one size fits all journey for Christians or anyone else, we all have different paths, and God deals with each one of us differently. However, He never changes, He is the same God and responds to everyone according to their faith, [Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.]
Now, as soon as Jesus prayed, He spoke with a loud voice and only spoke three words. And just like that Lazarus sat up, he was bound in white cloths to which Jesus told some people to go in and help get loose.
[John 11:44-46 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.]
[Loose him, and let him go.] This is where we need to be reminded that it does not matter how strong our faith, we need help sometimes. We cannot do everything by ourselves all the time and sometimes it takes many hands to help us. When God sends someone to help us we need to accept it, [James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.]
[some of them went their ways to the Pharisees,] While many did believe that day, and that scared the Pharisee’s to death. So, they immediately when to the counsel and told them what they saw. When they heard the news of Lazarus being raised from the dead, they plotted to have Jesus killed.
[John 11:48-50,52-53 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.]
[Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us,] You see, they were well aware of the Scriptures, they knew who Jesus was, and yet they wanted to destroy Him. Why? Fear. Fear from losing control of their status, and of their deception being exposed. You see, that is what false religion does, it puts them in power of a persons soul. There is only one person in charge of a soul and that is God, He saves every soul that believes in His Son, [Romans 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, No matter how I feel on the outside I know You are with me, not because of any good that I do, but because I believe in and trust in what You have done for me. Your love for me can never compare to any other, and I know that I have nothing to fear because You know what I need and exactly when I need it. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me Your power, wisdom, and grace to withstand every obstacle and to trust You with all of my life, knowing that everything is in your perfect timing. Teach me to love like You love and spread that love onto others. I ask these things in Your name Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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