Lazarus, Part 2 - Doing what God Wants, the Way He Wants

John 11v7-10

28^th October 2022

Last week, we looked at the first six verses of John, Chapter 11. We saw that, while Jesus was in Perea, east of the Jordan, with His disciples, Jesus received a message that His close friend Lazarus was unwell, but He waited two days before leaving for Bethany in Judea, where Lazarus lived. Jesus promised the messengers that Lasarus's sickness would not end in death, and that this episode would result God being glorified. I asked us to accept that, if God doesn't answer our prayers immediately or in the way we want, it's because He's working in our lives for His glory. We can rejoice in that, and find comfort in it.

Jesus waited for two days before going to Lazarus. The usual, human thing to do to would be to rush to be with the family in distress, to comfort the sisters and pray for the sick. But Jesus knew that that wasn't what God the Father wanted Him to do on this occasion. There are times when the tug of affection for our loved ones and friends make it difficult to hear, trust or obey God's leading but we're nevertheless called to obey Him at all times.

John 11v7
Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."

After delaying for two days, Jesus sensed that our Heavenly Father wanted Him to visit Lazarus, so He went. Jesus always did what the Father wanted, as should we. His disciples, His friends, still hadn't learnt to trust and obey God, rather than relying on their own understanding:

John 11v8
"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"

The family of the dying man wanted Jesus to go to him. The disciples want Jesus to stay away. You can't please all the church all the time. But Jesus doesn't decide what to do in terms of what other people expect Him to do; He does what His Father wants. We should have the same attitude, and obey God even if it means we'll be misunderstood or unpopular. Obedience to God must come first.

John 11v9-10
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? 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."

In first-century Judea, there were no streetlights. Walking at night was dangerous. You could fall and hurt yourself, or be attacked by unseen robbers. But the day is long enough and light enough for us to travel. We're safe when we walk in the light. Jesus is using this analogy to say that God has given us a period of time to live our lives. God decided the day of our death before the beginning of time, and no-one can change it:

Job 14v5
Man's days are determined; you [God] have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

Psalm 139v16
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

In John 9v4, Jesus had said "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work." All the time Jesus was on this earth, He would serve God, and He wouldn't be afraid, because he would walk in the light of God's written and prophetic word, and He was in communication with the Father so that he knew what Father wanted Him to do, as He told us in:

John 5v19
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."

You and I, too, are called to serve and glorify God every day of our lives, trusting in God's word and His protection and accepting that God has a plan for our lives. As long as you and I are alive, we should be serving God on the Earth:

Psalm 119v105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 19v8
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Deuteronomy 5v32-33
So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

As well as providing the Bible, God Himself is with us:

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

Jesus was a man of prayer, He was baptised in the Holy Spirit, and He led a holy life. In this as in all things, Jesus is our example. This is how to hear from God.