John Chapter 11
If there was going to be proof that Jesus was who He said He was, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, it would seem, would bring all people to belief in Him.
John describes in detail the events that took place with the death of His good friend Lazarus and the weeping and grieving that occurred at this man’s passing. Especially grieved were the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. John described the feelings of these two sisters as being upset with Jesus because He was not present when Lazarus was sick and dying. If only Jesus had been present at their home, their brother would not have died. They knew Jesus would have healed Lazarus.
Let's Reflect
1. Jesus who is both fully man and fully God could see the end from the beginning. When Jesus heard about the His friend Lazarus being sick, He stated that the sickness would not lead to death. We know that Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead (even though not yet in his town), because of what He said in verse 14. What did Jesus say?
2. Jesus was already too late. Lazarus was dead. But Jesus knew that God the heavenly Father had something else in mind. What did Jesus tell His disciples He was going to do before they ever went to his tomb site? See verse 11. What did He tell Martha?
3. When Jesus arrived back in Judea, how long had Lazarus already been dead?
4. Martha exemplified a tiny “mustard seed size” of faith in Jesus’ resurrecting power. What two things did she say to Jesus that tells of her faith?
5. Mary went to where Jesus was and said the same thing to Him that Martha had said. What did she say to Jesus in her deep pain?
6. When Jesus saw the tears falling from Mary’s eyes and also heard the others weeping, the Bible says He was moved with compassion for them. Jesus cares about our pain, He understands it. How did Jesus respond to their tears?
7. People in the crowd surrounding Mary and Jesus mentioned that they had seen Him do what other miracle? They too felt the same resentment that Mary and Martha had felt about the situation – Jesus should have been there to heal Lazarus.
8. Jesus prayed an interesting prayer to God at the tomb of Lazarus. What did He pray?
9. What was it that Jesus used to bring Lazarus back from the dead?
10. Did all of the people who witnessed this incredible miracle - now believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
11. There was a high priest who prophesied about the death of Jesus and how He would die for all the people. John is careful to give credit to the office of this man, high priest, rather than to the man since he prophesied not fully understanding what he had just said. What was this high priest’s name?
12. For the chief priests and Pharisees, it was the seed that began the plot to do what to Jesus?
Devotionals
