Expository Thoughts On John - JOHN 11:7-16
J.C. Ryle teaches that Christians must trust in Christ’s mysterious guidance through trials, believing that every step is purposeful and leads to spiritual growth and deeper faith.
In this expository sermon on John 11:7-16, J.C. Ryle explores the disciples’ perplexity at Jesus’ decision to return to Judea and the deeper spiritual lessons about faith and trust in God’s providence. Ryle emphasizes that Christians often face confusing and dangerous circumstances, but must rely on Christ’s wisdom and light. Through this passage, listeners are encouraged to patiently trust God’s guidance, knowing that every trial serves to strengthen their faith and character.
Text
Then after this, he said to his disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples replied, "Rabbi, the Jewish authorities were just now trying to stone you to death! Are you going there again?" Jesus replied, "Are there not twelve hours in a day? If anyone walks about in the daytime, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks about in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
After he said this, he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. But I am going there to awaken him." Then the disciples replied, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." (Now Jesus had been talking about his death, but they thought he had been talking about real sleep.)
Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, and I am glad for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." So Thomas (called Didymus) said to his fellow disciples, "Let us go too, so that we may die with him."
We should notice, in this passage, how mysterious are the ways in which Christ sometimes leads His people. We are told that when He talked of going back to Judea, His disciples were perplexed. It was the very place where the Jews had lately tried to stone their Master--to return there was to plunge into the midst of danger. These timid Galileans could not see the necessity or prudence of such a step. "Are You going there again?" they cried.
Things such as these are often going on around us. The servants of Christ are often placed in circumstances just as puzzling and perplexing as those of the disciples. They are led in ways of which they cannot see the purpose and object; they are called to fill positions from which they naturally shrink, and which they would never have chosen for themselves. Thousands in every age are continually learning this by their own experience. The path they are obliged to walk in is not the path of their own choice. At present they cannot see its usefulness or wisdom.
At times like these a Christian must call into exercise his faith and patience. He must believe that his Master knows best by what road His servant ought to travel, and that He is leading him, by the right way, to a city of habitation. He may rest assured that the circumstances in which be is placed are precisely those which are most likely to promote his graces and to check his besetting sins. He need not doubt that what he cannot see now, he will understand hereafter. He will find one day that there was wisdom in every step of his journey, though flesh and blood could not see it at the time. If the twelve disciples had not been taken back into Judea, they would not have seen the glorious miracle of Bethany. If Christians were allowed to choose their own course through life, they would never learn hundreds of lessons about Christ and His grace, which they are now taught in God\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus decides to return to Judea despite danger
- Disciples’ confusion and fear about the decision
- The spiritual lesson of trusting God’s guidance
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II
- The metaphor of walking in the day versus the night
- Christ as the light of the world
- The necessity of faith in unseen purposes
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III
- The disciples’ misunderstanding of Lazarus’ death
- Jesus’ intention to awaken Lazarus to life
- God’s providence in allowing trials for greater good
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IV
- The Christian’s call to patience and faith in difficult paths
- Trusting that God’s ways promote spiritual growth
- Future understanding of God’s wisdom in trials
Key Quotes
“The path they are obliged to walk in is not the path of their own choice.” — J.C. Ryle
“A Christian must call into exercise his faith and patience.” — J.C. Ryle
“He will find one day that there was wisdom in every step of his journey, though flesh and blood could not see it at the time.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Trust God’s guidance even when you do not understand the path ahead.
- Exercise patience and faith during difficult and confusing circumstances.
- Remember that trials are opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus choose to return to Judea despite the danger?
Jesus returned to Judea to demonstrate God’s glory and to strengthen the disciples’ faith through the miracle of raising Lazarus.
What does Jesus mean by 'walking in the day' and 'walking in the night'?
Walking in the day symbolizes living in the light and guidance of Christ, while walking in the night represents stumbling in darkness without His light.
Why were the disciples confused about Lazarus’ death?
They misunderstood Jesus’ reference to Lazarus ‘sleeping’ as literal sleep rather than death, which Jesus intended to reveal as temporary before resurrection.
How should Christians respond to confusing or dangerous circumstances?
Christians should exercise faith and patience, trusting that God’s guidance is wise and purposeful even when the reasons are not immediately clear.
What is the ultimate purpose of trials according to this sermon?
Trials are meant to promote spiritual growth, develop Christian graces, and deepen trust in God’s providence.