John Bible Study: That You Might Believe John 11 Jesus the Life and the Resurrection

 

John Bible Study: That You Might Believe

John 11 Jesus the Life and the Resurrection

Jesus, Lazarus and the Plan of God vs. 1-16

Vs 1-4 Martha and Mary send word to Jesus that Lazarus, a man that Jesus loved, was sick. Working backwards 4 days when Jesus arrives at Bethany if was probable that when Jesus received this message, Lazarus was already dead.

Jesus sends a message back to the sisters and at the same time teaches a lesson about suffering to the disciples and us.
Vs. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Vs. 4 To Jesus, what was the purpose of Lazarus’ sickness and death?
That God might be glorified.

Where else, in the book of John, has Jesus said something similar?
In John 9, in answering the question why the man was born blind.

What Christian principle or lesson does this reinforce?
That whatever evil, pain or loss we go through we must endure, knowing that God can turn these hurts, losses and sufferings into praise and knowing Him more.

John emphasizes Jesus’ love for this family, something that has been understood, but not directly stated of others. Why in this case?
Because Jesus waits two more days, before leaving. His delay in spite of his love for them shows how important this lesson was and is.

Vs. 7-8 Why were the disciples surprised that Jesus would go back into Judea?
The ruling Jews has sought to stone Him twice in the past year.

Vs. 9-10 Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

What principle was Jesus teaching in these verses?
As followers of God, we order our life and act according to what is right. Men work in the day because it is light during the day, and they will not stumble. It was the right thing for Jesus to go back into Judea, the opposition didn’t matter. Nothing would happen to Him until it was time according to the Father’s will.

Vs. 11 Why did Jesus say Lazarus was only sleeping?
Jesus sees the death of his own as only an event in life, not the end of life. Believers are “asleep” because they will awake to eternal life.

Vs. 12-15 Jesus expresses a purpose in the death of Lazarus that concerned the disciples. What was that purpose?
That they might believe.

Vs. 16  How does Thomas’ statement show their need for greater belief in who Jesus Christ was?
Thomas was brave and loyal but his statement does not reflect a belief in Jesus’ power over death and life.  This was the power Jesus needed his disciples to believe in.
 

Personal Application:
According to Jesus how should I view sickness, turmoil and even death?
All these are opportunities for God to be glorified.

Does God always heal in order to manifest Himself?
No, often the greater glory is seen in a believer’s courage and peace at the end of life.

Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

What then determines healing or non-healing?
The plan and purpose of God.

How does Jesus and Lazarus answer the question, “How can a omnipotent, loving God allow suffering?
God’s love does not contradict God’s vision. His plan for our wellbeing may of necessity include pain and heartache. It is because of His great love that he allows the suffering, that we might know more and be more than we could be without it.

Jesus, Martha and Mary vs. 17-33

Vs. 25 John 11:25-26 I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
This is the 5th “I Am” statement of Jesus and it is one of the most revealing of who He truly is. By making this statement Jesus declares Himself, the author of life itself and having the power to quicken the dead. This authority and character of Jesus is an undeniable declaration of his deity.

“Shall never die” This is a strong double negative, in Greek meaning not possible twice over We might understand it as “shall not die for ever”.

Vs. 27. Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
This is Martha and Mary’s statement of faith.
Did Martha and Mary believe in Jesus as more than a teacher or prophet?
Yes, they believed in Him, fully as the Messiah and Son of God.

Did they expect Jesus to resurrect Lazarus immediately?
No, their faith like that of the disciples, was not strong enough to accept Lazarus immediate resurrection or later the resurrection of Jesus Himself.

Vs. 33-35 Jesus groaned in the spirit. Jesus wept.
The word is in contrast to the loud lamenting of the mourners, it means to weep silently.

Vs. 33- 35 Why did Jesus weep when He knew he was going to bring Lazarus back to life?
Knowing the joy of the future does not prevent experiencing the pain of the present. Jesus loved this family and he keenly felt their suffering.

Personal Application:
In what ways does my faith need to be strengthened and matured in order to experience Jesus’ power in my life now, and not just to wait for heaven?

Jesus, Lazarus and the Pharisees vs. 45-57
What were the two reactions to Jesus’ raising of Lazarus?
Some believed on Jesus, others despite the miracle returned like spies and told the Pharisees what they had seen.

When confronted with an undeniable resurrection at the hands of Jesus what was the reaction of the Pharisees?
They fear all will believe on Jesus and the Romans then will come and destroy the nation and the Pharisees place with it. Therefore they conspire to kill Him.
Vs. 49 - 52 Caiaphas the high priest and his prophecy as high priest.
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Why was Caiaphas being used as a prophet.
Because he was the high priest that year. God used him through the office.

Ironically, what happened to the nation of Israel and the Pharisees in 70 AD?
The Roman General Titus in reaction to Jewish rebellions sacked the city, leveling the temple and effectively removing the Jewish people from their homeland until modern times. 1948

Personal Application:
What is the relationship between miracles and faith?
Miracles do not create faith, nor does faith produce miracles.  Miracles can strengthen faith as in the case of the disciples, Mary, and Martha, but may also strengthen unbelief as the Pharisees prove. Miracles are simply God’s signposts pointing to His Son. It is not the miracles we must seek but the miracle worker, Jesus.

Conclusion
As Christians, our eyes must always be on God’s working through the events of time toward eternity. We must be careful to not see the events that happen in our time without considering that God is working on the greater scale of eternity, which we cannot imagine or grasp.