Jesus The Resurrection And The Life
John 11:1-44
Raising Lazarus From the Dead
1. When did this miracle occur? Winter after Purim, December (John 10:22) and before Passover (John 11:55).
2. Where did the miracle occur? Bethany, east of Jerusalem (11:1).
3. Why does Jesus wait? “When He (Jesus) had heard . . . He abode two days in the same place” (11:6).
• Our agendas are not God’s. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord” (Isa. 55:8).
• We are self motivated. “Jesus saw her weeping” (11:33).
• To show us our unbelief. Martha believed Jesus could stop Lazarus from dying, but not raise him from the dead.
• To testify to outsiders. “Then many of the Jews . . . believed on Him” (11:45).
• To give time for circumstances to develop. Lazarus was sick; Jesus let the pathology run its course.
• To glorify God. “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God” (11:4).
4. How did Jesus relate to His disciples? A teaching opportunity. “I was glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe” (11:15).
• Jesus waits for a purpose. “He (Jesus) stayed two more days (11:6).
• Jesus is unafraid. “The Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” (11:8).
• Jesus answers in a parable to get them to think. “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” (11:9).
a. Sunlight.
b. Spiritual light.
• Jesus answers by theology. “Lazarus sleepeth” (11:11, KJV). Disciples thought sleep was therapy.
• Jesus answers plainly. “Lazarus is dead” (11:14). Impossible for anyone to die in Jesus’ presence. “Let us go to him” (11:15). Paul said, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God” (Rom. 8:38-39).
• Jesus still has a relationship to Lazarus, even in death.
• Thomas’ doubt is revealed. “Let us also go that we may die with him” (11:16).
Thomas will die for the love which he has, but it will not affect the faith which he has not” -Wescott
5. How does Jesus answer Martha’s disappointment? “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (11:21).
a. Blames Jesus.
b. Death clouds our thinking.
• Martha thought Jesus was inferior to God. “Whatever you ask of God, God will give you” (11:22). The word for ask is an inferior asking a superior.
• Martha believed in the principle of resurrection, but not the person. “I know He will rise again in the resurrection” (11:24).
• The answer of Jesus. “I am the resurrection” (11:25).
6. How does Jesus answer Mary’s discouragement?
• Martha grieved inwardly (cut self off from help), and Mary wept outwardly. “The Jews . . . followed her, saying she is going to the tomb to weep there” (11:31).
• Mary is always seen at the feet of Jesus. “She (Mary) fell down at His feet” (11:32). Our unbelief hurts Jesus. “When Jesus saw . . . He groaned in His spirit and was troubled” (11:33).
• Jesus weeps with us. “Jesus wept” (11:35).
Why did Jesus weep?
• The ignorance of His disciples.
• He weeps with Martha and Mary.
• The callousness of the Jews (11:46).
• His compassion for Lazarus.
7. What is Jesus’ attitude towards death?
• Remove the hindrance or barriers. “Take away the stone” (11:39).
The Division of Labor
Man’s job: Remove the stone and take off grave clothes.
God’s job: Raise the dead and give life.
• Why did Martha not want to open the grave? “Martha saith . . . he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” (11:39).
a. Repulsive odor.
b. Emotionally upsetting.
c. Sanctity of the body.
d. Not want to have another burial.
• World says seeing is believing, but God says the opposite; believing is seeing. “If you would believe, you would see the glory of God” (11:40).
• Prayer of thanksgiving. “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me” (11:41).
• Why did Jesus yell with a loud voice? “He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth’” (11:43). For the crowd.
• What is the parallel between Lazarus and our new life in Christ?
a. After new life, the grave clothes must be removed.
b. We need help from others.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
