Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 11 of the book of John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
11 – It’s a fitting idea that Jesus returning Lazarus to life (1-44) would be a major catalyst that led to plotting His death (45-57). After all, His death leads to eternal life for all of us.
11:1-16 – portrait of peace.
11:1-3 – Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that Lazarus is sick.
11:4-6 – Does the fact that Jesus knows everything comfort you?
11:4 – If Lazarus was already dead when Jesus received this message, the messenger wouldn’t reach Martha in time to encourage her with Jesus’ response.
11:6 – Jesus stayed where He was two more days.
Was Lazarus already dead when Jesus got the news?
11:7-8 – When Jesus wants to return to Judea (Where was He?), the disciples remind Him that the people there want to stone Him.
11:9-10 – What do these verses mean? According to 9:4 and 12:35, Jesus is the Light of the world that provides guidance and illumination for the path (Psalm 119:105).
Is He perhaps saying that He will not sneak around, but will boldly do His Father’s work?
11:11-15 – Lazarus’ death is permitted in order to glorify God. See v. 4.
11:15 – For the disciples’ sake? How did this benefit them?
11:16 – What positive and negative characteristics can you discern from Thomas’ response to the situation?
11:17 – Lazarus has been in the tomb four days.
four days – the spirit was believed to stay near the body for only three days.
11:18 – Why mention that Jerusalem is two miles away from Bethany? It would probably only take an hour or less to walk there. Was Jesus in Jerusalem? According to 10:40, He was in Bethany, already.
11:20 – Martha came to Jesus. Mary didn’t. Hmmm.
11:21-27 – Martha’s faith progresses to exclaiming that Jesus is the Christ!
11:22 – Martha is saying, Jesus, you didn’t meet my need, but I trust you still.
11:25-26 – Jesus is telling Martha to quit looking at Lazarus and look at Him!
11:25 – The fifth “I AM” Statement – Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
How is He your life today?
11:27 – Martha is the seventh witness for Christ.
11:28-29 – Why did Mary wait to go to Jesus until He asked for her?
11:28 – Martha called Mary away secretly so the Jews wouldn’t know that Jesus was there.
11:29 – Mary’s hasty retreat gets the attention of the Jews and Jesus’ presence is no longer a secret. See v. 31.
11:35 – Jesus weeps because He is moved by our pain. He already knows the outcome. Maybe He weeps because He is bringing Lazarus back to this less than perfect world.
11:38-44 – Seventh piece of evidence for Christ – Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is the Master over life and death. Rather fitting that He just identified Himself as the Resurrection and the Life in verse 25.
Jesus waited for a crowd.
11:38 – Jesus is angry at what death has done.
11:43 – Lazarus, come out! – if Jesus hadn’t called Lazarus by name, ALL of the dead would have risen!!!
11:45 – Many of the witnesses to this miracle put their faith in Jesus.
11:46 – Some of the witnesses went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus did. Why did these people go to the Pharisees?
11:47 – What was the Sanhedrin? The high court of the Jews made up of the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law.
11:50 – Caiaphas probably meant that Jesus’ death would save Israel from losing religious leaders to Rome. See v. 48. He certainly didn’t mean it in the prophetic way it actually played out. This tells me that God can use even the most disobedient to fulfill His divine purpose. The high priest spoke for God. And although Caiaphas didn’t mean it the way it happened, he prophesied the truth!
11:51 – As high priest, Caiaphas spoke for God.
• The book of John is called the “Love Gospel”. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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