Thursday: Lazarus
Read John 11:1-44. In what sense was Jesus “glorified” by the sickness and death of Lazarus (John 11:4)?
Here, too, Jesus uses the metaphor for sleep in talking about death. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11, NIV). When some thought He was talking about literal sleep (John 11:11-13), Jesus clearly stated what He meant: “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:12-14, NIV). Actually, when Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus already was dead four days; his corpse was already rotting (John 11:17, John 11:39). By the time a body starts decomposing badly enough to smell, there’s no question: the person is dead.
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
In this context, when Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise from the dead” (John 11:23, NASB), she reaffirmed her belief in the final resurrection. But Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die forever. Do you believe this?” (John 11:23-26, LEB). And Jesus added, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40, NASB). Martha believed, and she saw the glory of God in the resurrection of her brother.
The Bible says that by God’s word life was created (Genesis 1:20-30, Psalm 33:6), and by His word life can be re-created, as in the case of Lazarus. After a short prayer, Jesus ordered, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43, NKJV). Right then and there these people saw the life-giving power of God, the same power that spoke our world into existence, and the same power that at the end of the age will call the dead back to life in the resurrection.
By raising Lazarus, Jesus proved that He had the power to defeat death, which, for beings like us, who inevitably die — what greater manifestation of God’s glory could there be?
Read John 11:25-26. In one line Jesus talks about believers dying, and in the next He talks about believers never dying. What is Jesus teaching us here, and why is the understanding that death is an unconscious sleep so crucial in understanding Christ’s words? And why do His words offer us, as beings destined to the grave, so much hope?
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There is a little bird around here called an Emu-wren. It is tiny, has a touch of sky-blue on its chest, and mainly mottled brown on the rest of the body. It has a long filamentous tail that looks like an Emu feather - hence the name. They are described as "cryptic", hidden in plain sight.
I have seen glimpses of them among the grass and weeds. I have even seen them slightly left of centre - in my blurry vision. But I have never seen one unobstructed, in full view, sitting still for long enough to get a good photograph. I do have photographs - a little blur of blue and brown obscured by grass stalks. It is my nemesis and my birding friends all joke with me about it. The joke is on them though - they have not taken good photographs of it either.
This week we have been given pre-Cross pictures of resurrection. From our perspective they are old and blurry. They have been seen in an area of our sight that is not all that good. But, they are evidence that resurrection is real.
I know that one day, a Southern Emu-wren is going to present itself in full view, unobscured and in full glorious colour with every detail showing; because I have had glimpses of the bird that gives me a reason to live in hope.
And I know that one day, a resurrection will take place in full view unobscured and in full glorious colour with every detail showing; because I have had glimpses of the resurrection that gives me a reason to live in hope.
The study asks:
why do His *words* offer us, as beings destined to the grave, so much hope?
Sons and Daughters believe His Divine Words are not mere audible wavelengths but the source of Divine Power and Wisdom.
Genesis 1:2-32
Psalms 33:6
John 1:1-4
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Thank God death is a deep sleep! It's a resting state! A rest from all of the unsolved problems mankind created for itself. And by the Grace of God, anyone who believes, will live for ever! We cannot choose to be born, but we can choose how we can end, rest, sleep, or simply disappear(?)... I want to choose Grace! May we all do that today!
Amen Larry. I was thinking simular thoughts as I read today's lesson. We do serve an awesome God.
I too find joy and comfort in knowing God claims us, as His people, and Sons and Daughters of His. Jeremiah 30:22. 2Corinthians 6:18.
Something caught my eye when I was reading today’s lesson. Jesus stayed two more days where He was – John 11:6. Why would He not want to immediately depart? The answer is in Jesus’ statement recorded in John 11:9-11 -
Then follows the blunt remark of John 11:14-15 - ….”Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sake that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
With His delay, He challenged the spiritual ignorance of the Apostles and people He came to minister spiritual Truth - Light from heaven - to. It took a strong, convincing, and truly miraculous event, the resurrection of Lazarus who was dead and in the tomb for 4 days, to challenge the 'light of this world' - darkness, doubt, and confusion regarding the truth of who He was - John 11:4.
I still hold that our Gospel’s Faith and faithfulness is built on spiritually inspired trust; trusting the prophets, Scripture, and Jesus – the ‘Word of God’. What happens when we trust? Spiritually based trust goes beyond observation and experience. When believing and trusting Jesus’ Gospel, this causes something extraordinary, super-natural – a changed heart and mind!
Our teacher and Savior Jesus' Faith is not based on observations, experiences, and learning. When ‘hearing’ the Word of God’ we are also given the ability to rightly perceive the spiritual meaning of the Word of God. And this, in my opinion, is God’s ultimate goal when providing His Word - a changed heart and mind with which we can learn to trust the Messenger and His message to lead us to remain in/with Him.
Throughout Jesus’ lifetime among man, man was able to observe and experience his physical presence, but only those who had opened their heart and mind were able to see Him for who He truly was. This also included His Apostles, because they were from among the people. Lazarus and his two sisters were among the very few who would truly love Him, not for what He did, nor for who He claimed to be, or for an advantage by possibly benefiting from their relationship with Him, but loving Him as a close-in-heart friend; and their friendship was mutual – John 11:5.
Hi, Brigitte. Thank you for the inspiring thoughts. I would only question one aspect of what you wrote.
If by this you mean that we are called to have faith in God and His word without absolute proof or demonstration that they are true and trustworthy, I can agree absolutely!
However, I believe that truth faith is based on evidence, to the point where it would be unreasonable, and therefore sinful, to doubt. God wants us to have an intelligent faith. Otherwise, we could just get carried away with fancies of spirituality and believe anything!
You also wrote:
Amen to that!
R.G. – I appreciate your scrutiny of what I shared to make sure that it is biblically based. To state it more clearly, you might have appreciated it more when saying that “our teacher and Savior Jesus' 'Faith' is not based on observations, experiences, and learning only. This, then, would qualify ‘observations’, ‘experiences’, and ‘learning’ to hold the same spiritual value as the Word of God - able to convince man of God and His Truth. We know this not to be so because two people can experience the same event; one person receives Him, and the other despises and ridicules Him.
1 Cor. 2:14 explains that – ”But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Without an awakening(-ed) living soul’s heart and mind ‘perceiving’ the spiritual Truth of God’s Word by/through the Holy Spirit, man cannot fully grasp the spiritual aspect of an observation, experience, or when learning ‘about’ matters related to God, our Creator.
Though, the by their 'heart' motivated seeker after Truth will always be encouraged to continue to seek God’s Truth. Then, one day, the eyes are opened and the heart and mind can ‘see’ the heavenly Light of Truth.
Indeed – “spiritually based trust goes beyond observation and experience”, and we want to trust/love our Father with all our heart! 😊
Yes, Brigitte. We agree that spiritual enlightenment is essential to a correct appreciation of, for instance, observations of Bible prophecies fulfilled, experiences of God's love and grace, or learning what the Bible says.
Thank you for your persistence in pointing this out.
Jesus said that He would "Pray to His Father" and His Father would send us "Another Comforter" even "The Spirit of Truth" and He "The Spirit of Truth" not only would abide with us forever but also would "Dwell with us" and also would "Be in us." This is how we will be resurrected after we die (if we die before Jesus returns.) It is by the Spirit that will be "In Us" that God will then "Raise us up from death." John 14:16-20