If Lazarus Lives, Jesus Must Die

In this sermon from John 11:45-57, Pastor Mark explores the paradox of why the one who raises the dead must himself die. Following the resurrection of Lazarus, the religious leaders convene the council—not because they deny Jesus' miracles, but because they recognize him as an existential threat to their way of life. The message challenges believers to examine whether they've domesticated their faith, resisting the radical change that following Christ demands. Through the story of William Tyndale and the prophecy of Caiaphas, we see how God advances his redemptive purposes even through resistant and hardened hearts, ultimately using Jesus' death not just for substitution, but to gather into one the scattered children of God from all nations.

00:00 Scripture Reading – John 11:45-57

03:17 Introduction

09:04 Believing Without Seeing and Resisting Change

12:40 Many Believed, But Some Went to the Pharisees

14:23 Unbelief Is Moral, Not Evidential

21:10 The Council Convenes

25:38 "Our Place and Our Nation"

28:02 Jesus as an Existential Threat

28:32 William Tyndale and the English Bible

35:21 Caiaphas' Prophecy – God Uses Resistant Hearts

40:22 Gathering the Scattered Children of God

44:12 The Cross Gathers a People

45:49 Closing Prayer