John Bible Study - Lesson 31

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 11:45-57 New International Version (NIV)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

⁴⁵ Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

⁴⁹ Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, ⁵² and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. ⁵³ So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

⁵⁴ Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

⁵⁵ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. ⁵⁶ They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” ⁵⁷ But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

John 11:45-57 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Plot to Kill Jesus

⁴⁵ Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. ⁴⁶ But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. ⁴⁸ If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”

⁴⁹ Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! ⁵⁰ You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

⁵¹ He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. ⁵² And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

⁵³ So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.⁵⁴ As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

⁵⁵ It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. ⁵⁶ They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” ⁵⁷ Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Some of the Jews believed after seeing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. Others went and told the Pharisees what Jesus did.

·        The Chief Priests and the Pharisees call a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin was the supreme council, or court, in ancient Israel. The Sanhedrin was comprised of 70 men, plus the high priest, who served as its president. The members came from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.

·     During the meeting the leaders expressed their fear that if Jesus kept on doing what He was doing the Romans would destroy their Temple along with the Jewish Nation.

·     Caiaphas, the High Priest, said it was better for one man to die than the whole nation to be destroyed.

·        As the high priest at that time Caiaphas was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation and to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world

·        From that time on the High Council/Sanhedrin began to plot Jesus’ death.

·      Jesus realizing what the High Council was up to, discontinued His public ministry for a while and left Jerusalem staying with His disciples in a village called Ephraim located in the wilderness.

·        It was time for the Passover and many people started coming to Jerusalem for the purification ceremony. (The Law ordained no special purification's before the Passover, but on the general principle of ceremonial cleanness, a large number of pilgrims would necessarily go up before the feast to observe the legal rights and offer the required sacrifices. The time required varied from one to six days)

·        People were looking for Jesus wondering if He would come to the Passover.

·        Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        The signs that Jesus performed moved people to believe He was the Messiah. It was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah that the Messiah would perform miraculous signs:

Isaiah 35:5-6 Living Bible (TLB)

⁵ And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf. ⁶ The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing! Springs will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Jesus’ miracles were confirmed in the Gospels:

The gospels record at least 37 detailed miracles of Jesus

The miracles of Jesus are supernatural signs/miracles which included healing, exorcisms, resurrection of the dead and control over nature

The seven signs/miracles of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John are:

1.     Changing water into wine in John 2:1-11 - "the first of the signs"

2.     Healing the royal official's son in Capernaum in John 4:46-54.

3.     Healing the paralytic at Bethesda in John 5:1-15.

4.     Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14.

5.     Jesus' walk on water in John 6:16-24.

6.     Healing the man born blind in John 9:1-7.

7.     Raising Lazarus From The Dead (John 11:1-44)

  

Jesus confirms His signs/miracles to reassure John the Baptist:

Matthew 11:4-6 Living Bible (TLB)

⁴ Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him about the miracles you’ve seen me do— ⁵ the blind people I’ve healed, and the lame people now walking without help, and the cured lepers, and the deaf who hear, and the dead raised to life; and tell him about my preaching the Good News to the poor. ⁶ Then give him this message, ‘Blessed are those who don’t doubt me.’”

Luke 7:20-23 Living Bible (TLB)

^20-22 The two disciples found Jesus while he was curing many sick people of their various diseases—healing the lame and the blind and casting out evil spirits. When they asked him John’s question, this was his reply: “Go back to John and tell him all you have seen and heard here today: how those who were blind can see. The lame are walking without a limp. The lepers are completely healed. The deaf can hear again. The dead come back to life. And the poor are hearing the Good News. ²³ And tell him, ‘Blessed is the one who does not lose his faith in me.’”

·        The Jewish leaders determined that Jesus was a threat to their power and control over the Jewish people. They also feared that the Roman army would come and destroy both the Temple and Jewish nation.

·        Caiaphas, the High Priest declared, “it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” He also prophesied that Jesus would bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

·        Jesus had fulfilled Caiaphas’ prophetic words.  Jesus has brought together God’s people from around the world. Believers have faith and confidence that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and only through Him can they be saved and reconciled back to God.

The Apostle Paul gives us perspective on God’s plan for His people:

Romans 11:25-32 New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s Mercy Is for Everyone

²⁵ I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. ²⁶ And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,

“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
²⁷ And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

²⁸ Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ²⁹ For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. ³⁰ Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. ³¹ Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. ³² For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

Ephesians 3:6 New International Version (NIV)

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

The idea is this, not every Jew or Gentile will be saved but those who are saved will makeup God’s kingdom. God does not want anyone to perish, yet many still continue to reject Him choosing to live apart from God and His truth. Therefore, in many cases people are deciding to take eternity into their own hands. This is why God is giving people the gift of faith.  Those who receive it and follow Jesus will be led to an eternity that is blessed and free of sin. Others who choose not to follow will be separated from God.

Just as God led the Jews to the Promised Land, God leads His people into Heaven where Jesus has prepared a place for believers:

John 14:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Paul makes the argument about God’s Sovereignty, the effect of free will and God’s mercy.

Excerpts from Romans 9:

¹⁴ What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

²² What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? ²³ What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—²⁴ even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵ As he says in Hosea:

“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
    and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”

²⁶ and,

“In the very place where it was said to them,
    ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

Israel’s Unbelief

³⁰ What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; ³¹ but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. ³² Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.³³ As it is written:

“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall,
    and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

The point is we cannot earn our Salvation. Many Jews however, believed that works and good deeds could earn them the right standing with God. But the truth is this: only through Jesus can any of us be saved.    

·        God has revealed Himself and His truth through His Word, the Bible. God’s Story is told through the nation of Israel whom He chose to be His people. Through God’s ordained genealogical line, the Messiah Jesus would come to rescue people from the consequences of sin stemming from the fall of mankind. God graciously also included the Gentiles to be part of His Kingdom. Symbolically “Israel” is represented by all of God’s people which include Jews and Gentiles. God wants everyone to be saved!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

Instructions about Worship

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Display mercy, grace and love so others will know that a life devoted to Jesus has transformational power.

·        Don’t let fear take hold in your life. God has equipped you with everything you need to live a life dedicated to serving Him. He has given you the Holy Spirit for comfort, wisdom and strength. He has given you His Word and speaks directly to you and your situation.

·        Pray continuously! Pray for the lost, those separated from God to be saved!

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        What miracle has Jesus performed for you?

·        Do you have doubts about what Jesus can do in you and through you?

·        Will you trust Jesus to transform your life so you can live devoted to Him and God’s purpose?

·        Who is God preparing for you to tell your God story to?

·        Do you believe Jesus has prepared a place for you in Heaven?

Have a great week…………….Dave

John Bible Study - Lesson 30

John Bible Study - Lesson 30

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 11:1-44 New International Version (NIV)

The Death of Lazarus

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem,¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

²⁸ After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

³⁵ Jesus wept.

³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

³⁷ But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ 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.”

John 11:1-44 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Raising of Lazarus

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. ² This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. ³ So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”

⁴ But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” ⁵ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, ⁶ he stayed where he was for the next two days. ⁷ Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”

⁸ But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”

⁹ Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. ¹⁰ But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” ¹¹ Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

¹² The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!”¹³ They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

¹⁴ So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”

¹⁶ Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

¹⁷ When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. ²⁰ When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

²³ Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” ²⁸ Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.”²⁹ So Mary immediately went to him.

³⁰ Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. ³¹ When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. ³² When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.³⁴ “Where have you put him?” he asked them.

They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Then Jesus wept. ³⁶ The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” ³⁷ But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

³⁸ Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ³⁹ “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

⁴⁰ Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” ⁴¹ So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. ⁴² You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” ⁴³ Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Lazarus, Mary’s brother was sick. Mary was the one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair in devoted worship and reverence.

Luke 7:38 New International Version (NIV)

As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

Mark 14:3-7 New International Version (NIV)

³ While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.

·        The sisters, Mary & Martha sent word to Jesus that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death.

·     Jesus declares that Lazarus’ sickness will be used for the glory of God & Jesus Himself.

·        After waiting a couple of days Jesus tells His disciples He is ready to go to Judea to see Lazarus but the disciples objected because the people in Judea wanted to stone Him for blasphemy.

·      Jesus tells His disciples it is time to wake up Lazarus who He declares has fallen asleep. Jesus meant Lazarus had died but the disciples thought that Jesus meant he was asleep.

·        Jesus tells them Lazarus had died.

·    The disciples were somewhat confused but decided to go with Jesus to see Lazarus.

·        When Jesus arrived at Bethany, He was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.

·        When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him.

·        Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

·        Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

·    Jesus explains that He is the Resurrection and the life and that whoever believes in Him will not perish.

·        Jesus asks Martha if she believes what He said about who He was.

·        Martha said she believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

·        Martha goes and tells Mary Jesus had come.

·   Mary goes to see she Jesus lamenting that if Jesus had come sooner, her brother Lazarus would not have died.

·        When Jesus saw Mary weeping along with others He began to feel angry and troubled.

·        Jesus wept.

·        Others noticed Jesus weeping and commented that Jesus loved Lazarus.

·       Other complained that Jesus, who could open the eyes of the blind, could have also kept Lazarus from dying.

·      Jesus angered, by seeing His friends weeping, had the stone rolled away so the tomb we be opened.

·     Martha, Lazarus’ sister complained to Jesus that since Lazarus was in the tomb for 4 days the smell would be terrible.

·     Jesus prays to the Father that the people who will witness this miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection would believe that He, Jesus, is who He claims to be, and that He was sent to fulfill God’s purposes.

·        Jesus commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

·        Lazarus walks out of the tomb still in His burial clothes.

·        Jesus tells the people to unwrap Him and let Him go.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus says he will not let His friend Lazarus’ sickness end in physical death. Jesus will resurrect Lazarus to show God’s love, mercy and compassion on those He loves. Jesus certainly did this in the most amazing way when He willingly suffered and died for our sins on the Cross. Jesus resurrects us when we surrender our lives to Him. He does not leave us in the grave but breathes new eternal life into us so even when we die physically, we continue to live forever with Him in Heaven!

·        Jesus allows Lazarus to die in order for God’s power to be displayed. After Jesus died on the cross we see God’s power again as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

·        Again, God’s raises us from the dead when we believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior:

Ephesians 2:1-10 New International Version (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

·        Jesus is the resurrection and the life – whoever believes in Him will not perish but will inherit eternal life:

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

·        Jesus also wept when He experienced the sorrow of those who lost a loved one.  That is why Jesus conquered sin and death so those who believe would no longer have to experience pain, sin, sorrow and death once in Heaven. Jesus did this out of love for God’s people:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵⁵ O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:4 New International Version (NIV)

 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death ‘or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

·        Jesus is the greatest example of sacrificial love:

John 15:13 New International Version (NIV)

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Romans 5:6-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

·        Jesus prays to the Father that the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection would convince the people that He is who He claims to be. Jesus had healed others as well as performed other miracles but in this case Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. In fact Mary, Lazarus’ sister was convinced when the tomb was opened a powerful odor will permeate the area.

·        After Jesus prays, He commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb.

·        Lazarus comes out of the tomb still wearing His burial clothes and Jesus tells the people to unwrap Him and let Him go. In the same way, when we become believers and follow Jesus, He resurrects us from spiritual death. He unbinds the sin that burdens us and sets us free:

John 5:24 New International Version (NIV)

 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Ephesians 1:13 New International Version (NIV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

Romans 8:2 The Message (MSG)

The Solution Is Life on God’s Terms

8 ^1-2 With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

·        Jesus has the power to save us and transform us. We have become new creations in Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:17 New International Version (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Romans 6:18 New International Version (NIV)

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Ephesians 4:20-24 New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

·        Remember those who have become followers of Jesus have crossed over from death to life!

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        To be an effective witness to God’s transforming power, live a life evident of being set free from sin.

·        Help unwrap others who are bound in sin and hopelessness.

·        Pray for God’s wisdom and transforming power to take hold in your life.

·        Receive what Jesus offers and strive to live for Him and His purpose even though you may want to live for yourself and for your purpose.

·        Embrace the abundant life Jesus offers.

John 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        What is preventing you from putting on the new self?

·        What are you doing about the sin that is straining your relationship with God and others?

·        Do you believe Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin?

·        Does walking with Jesus give you a new hope and perspective on life?

·        How will you communicate to others that Jesus can rescue them from the consequences of sin in such a way that they may actually listen and consider what you say.

1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Have a great week…………….Dave