Download Study Materials
The resurrection of Lazarus (4 things)
- 1st – Jesus and Mary… vs. 28-32 (3 things)
- 1st – Martha returned to her house – and told Mary Jesus wanted to see her… vs. 28-30
- Jesus did not run to Mary – He waited for Mary to run to Him…
- God is always there for us – He desires to help us out – but we have to choose…
- In the story of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15 – the Father did not chase after the son…
- He waited till the Son humbled himself – and chose to come back to the Father…
- Then the Father saw him and had compassion – and ran to embrace His son!
- Mary immediately went to see Jesus – He was waiting where He had met Martha…
- It did not take much to get Mary to go to Jesus – she ran the moment He called…
- How much does it take to get us to run to God – are we like the Prodigal son…
- Do we wait till our lives have completely fallen apart – no where left to turn…
- Are we like Mary – hesitate in the hard times – but run when Jesus calls…
- Best to be like Martha – run to Jesus even before He calls – cause He is THE answer!
- Jesus did not run to Mary – He waited for Mary to run to Him…
- 2nd – The crowd saw Mary hastily leave – assumed she was going to cry at the tomb… vs. 31
- They had no idea Mary was going to see Jesus – all they saw was death….
- Those who do not know Jesus – assume death is the end – there is no hope…
- When they go to a funeral – they weep and wail – mourning the loss…
- It for them is a sad sober occasion – a reminder that we all die one day…
- In contrast – a funeral for a believer should be a celebration – joy and laughing!
- When my Dad passed away – people were confused/amazed by the funeral…
- Because it was not a sad occasion – Dad was with Jesus – why be sad!
- We have no need to fear dead – it has not sting / no bite for us – I Corinthians 15:55…
- We know what will happen when we die – we see Jesus face to face!
- We know that it is not the end – far from it – it is the beginning of eternal life!
- They had no idea Mary was going to see Jesus – all they saw was death….
- 3rd – Mary arrived – ‘Lord if you had been here – Lazarus would not have died’… vs. 32
- The same complaint that Martha gave to Jesus – Mary now reiterates…
- Obviously the two had been talking about it before hand…
- They had fed on each other’s comments – causing them to doubt Jesus…
- We need to be careful with our comments – they can quickly spread to others…
- Bitter / spiteful comments are like a virus – quickly spread from person to person…
- You have heard the old saying – ‘if you have nothing good to say – say nothing’…
- Better to say those things that will bless others – give grace to those who listen…
- Say thing that will build up others in their faith – encourage them in Jesus!
- Ephesians 4:29 – “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
- 1st – Martha returned to her house – and told Mary Jesus wanted to see her… vs. 28-30
- 2nd – Weeping over death… vs. 33-38 (2 things)
- 1st – Jesus saw Mary (and the Jews) crying… vs. 33-35
- He was angry – the word is the picture of a horse snorting in anger – REALLY ANGRY…
- And troubled in His Spirit – Jesus was very agitated by what He saw…
- Not because Mary was crying – she was genuine in her grief…
- Perhaps not even because of the Jews – though their tears were likely less genuine…
- Jesus was troubled / angry at death – it was never part of God’s original plan…
- Death is a direct result of sin – Garden of Eden – Genesis 3:19
- Death should never have entered into this world – death is wrong…
- It makes God angry that we die – that sin causes us to be separated from Him!
- Jesus asked – ‘Where is the tomb’…
- When He arrived – ‘Jesus wept’ – this is the shortest verse in the Bible…
- But HUGE because it reveals God has emotion – and feels for our pain…
- God knows when we are suffering – He counts every tear – Psalms 56:8
- It is a good example for us when it comes to comforting others…
- When others are hurting – going through a tough time – meet them where they are…
- I knew a family who lost their child – two pastors came to ‘encourage them’…
- The 1st pastor gave them all the ‘right’ verses – but was of no comfort…
- The 2nd pastor just wrapped his arms around the parents – and cried with them…
- Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
- This is the first of only two times the Bible records Jesus crying…
- The second time would come only a few weeks later on Palm Sunday…
- When Jesus would weep for Jerusalem/Jews – because they rejected Him…
- Luke 19:41– “Now as [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city and wept over it.”
- He was angry – the word is the picture of a horse snorting in anger – REALLY ANGRY…
- 1st – Jesus saw Mary (and the Jews) crying… vs. 33-35
- We should also weep for a lost world – one that has rejected Jesus…
- Driven by our burden for lost family / loved ones – to share Jesus with them!
- 2nd – The Jews saw Jesus weep – ‘see how much He loved Lazarus’… vs. 36-38
- But others argued – Jesus healed the blind man – could He not have healed Lazarus…
- They were questioning the geniuses of Jesus’ love for Lazarus…
- If He had REALLY loved him – Jesus would have gotten there in time to heal him!
- Rather than trust God has a better plan for us – wait upon Him…
- Too often in life when God does ‘rush to our aid’ – we question His love…
- They arrived at the tomb – it was a cave with a stone laid against it…
- When Jesus heard their comments – He was DEEPLY troubled…
- When we question the Love of God – it troubles the Lord…
- Consider all He has done for us – all He has given too us – how could we doubt!
- John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this… to lay down His life for His friends.”
- But others argued – Jesus healed the blind man – could He not have healed Lazarus…
- 3rd – Roll the stone aside… vs. 39-44 (4 things)
- 1st – Jesus commanded the people to remove the stone… vs. 39
- The people could not bring Lazarus back from the dead – but they could open the door…
- We have a very important part to play in brining people to Jesus Christ…
- We cannot save people from the bondage of sin / and its consequence of death…
- But we can open the door for them to hear the voice of Jesus…
- We can invite them to come to church – we can share the Word of God with them…
- If we are not willing to go and tell them / open the door – who will – Romans 10:13-15
- 2nd – Martha argued – ‘But he is going to stink – he has been dead 4 days’… vs. 40
- Jesus answered – ‘Did I not tell you would see God’s glory if you believe…’
- Many times we hesitate to reach out to the lost – because they ‘stink’…
- They reek of the sins of this world – caught up in all kinds of loose living…
- But the church is not for social club for saints – it is a hospital for sinners…
- We cannot be afraid to go and get our hand dirty – sinners need our help!
- Not that we join in with them – we need to be careful not to fall back into the world…
- But we reach out to them – showing them the Love of Jesus!
- 3rd – Jesus looked up to heaven – ‘Father I thank you that you have heard Me’… vs. 41-42
- God always hears the Son – but Jesus said it for the benefit of those listening…
- He wanted them to believe that it was the Father that sent Jesus!
- It seems it is easy for us to talk about almost anything with people…
- We can talk about the weather / sports / what is happening with sugar prices…
- The one subject that seems hard to bring up – is talking about Jesus Christ…
- But we cannot tell people about Jesus – if we do not talk about Him…
- Why waste time on any other subjects – go right to the one that promises Eternal life!
- 4th – Jesus shouted – ‘Lazarus come out’… vs. 43
- It is a good thing that Jesus was specific in calling out Lazarus…
- If Jesus had just said ‘come out’ – everyone would have walked out of their graves!
- Because Jesus has the power over death – He has the power to give new life!
- One day Jesus will shout out again – and this time it will be for everyone…
- Thessalonians 4:16 – “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout… all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves!”
- Because Jesus / the Word alone has the power of the resurrection – He alone gives life!
- Revelation 1:8 – “I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
- Lazarus came out of the grave – alive again… vs. 44
- Jesus told the people to untie him from his grave clothes…
- Here is where our responsibility comes in again – helping remove the ‘grave clothes’…
- When people first come to Jesus – they are often still bound up in a lot of sin…
- We need to help new believers overcome some of the ‘binding sins’ of their past…
- Encouraging them in their new walk with Jesus – helping them walk in the truth!
- 1st – Jesus commanded the people to remove the stone… vs. 39
- 4th – One must die for the many… vs. 45-57 (3 things)
- 1st – The reaction of the Religious leaders… vs. 45-48
- Many of the people believed in Jesus after seeing the resurrection of Lazarus…
- But some of them ran to the Pharisees and told them what happened…
- We can always expect one of two responses from others when we share the Gospel…
- Either people believe – or they run and cause trouble for those who do believe!
- But some of them ran to the Pharisees and told them what happened…
- The Leaders (Sanhedrin) called a meeting to discuss what to do about Jesus….
- They realized if they just left Jesus alone – everyone would believe in Him…
- One of the biggest reasons people do not come to Jesus – other people…
- Someone might be interested in coming to church / hearing the Bible…
- But they are afraid of what other people might say…
- Or they do begin to go to church – and all the comments begin to flow…
- If not for the bad influence of other people – many more would believe in Jesus!
- The Leaders feared the Romans would take away their position – their nation…
- The idea being the people would make Jesus their King – John 6:15
- And the Romans would blame the Leaders for not doing something to stop Jesus…
- It was an empty fear – Jesus had already refused to be their earthly King…
- But it served it purpose to sir up the leaders to take extreme action!
- I once heard someone say you should not go to church there…
- They do not know where they are going – ‘no name on the side of the jeep’…
- People will say anything to try and keep others from coming to Jesus…
- Many of the people believed in Jesus after seeing the resurrection of Lazarus…
- 2nd – The counsel of Caiaphas… vs. 49-52
- Caiaphas was appointed as high priest by the Roman government…
- The High Priest should have been chosen by God (Aaronic line)…
- But it was not longer a religious position – it had become a political position…
- He was serving as the high priest that particular year – so he spoke up…
- It is better that one man die – than a whole nation perish…
- Caiaphas did not say this on his own – he prophesied that Jesus would die…
- So He could gather together all the children of God who were scattered…
- Not that Caiaphas was a good man – he was a self-serving coward…
- But the very thing Caiaphas wanted to do to stop Jesus – was Jesus’ plan all along!
- Caiaphas was appointed as high priest by the Roman government…
- 1st – The reaction of the Religious leaders… vs. 45-48
- People can and will say what they want – and do what they want…
- But in the end – God is in control – and He uses all things for His purpose…
- Genesis 50:20 – “God turned into good what you meant for evil.”
- 3rd – Seeking to kill Jesus… vs. 53-57
- From that day on the Leaders sought to kill Jesus…
- So Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews – instead stayed in Ephraim…
- The resurrection of Lazarus is only recorded in the book of John…
- But it is the key event leading up to the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus…
- With Lazarus as evidence of the power of Jesus – proof He was the Messiah…
- The leaders had very little time to act in order to stop Him!
- It was close to the Passover so everyone was making the Pilgrimage…
- Everyone was talking about Jesus – would He show up to the Festival…
- But the Leaders had given strict orders to report to them if anyone saw Jesus!
- The scene is set for the end of Jesus ministry – His Crucifixion and Resurrection!
- The other gospels dedicate only three chapters to the last week of Jesus ministry…
- The book of John dedicates TEN chapters to the Passion Week!
- From that day on the Leaders sought to kill Jesus…
Leave a Reply