ONLY GOD CAN RAISE THE DEAD!

READ JOHN 11

SETTING: Lazarus is sick and Jesus is sent for by Mary and Martha. Because Jesus delays, Lazarus dies.

REASON FOR THIS EVENT: Bring glory to God and Jesus. Jesus' delay in going did not mean He did not love Lazarus, but He was waiting for the right time so that He can glorify God in raising Lazarus from the dead. Proving again that He is God.

9-10) Jesus uses the analogy of light (day) and dark (night) as an example of those who believe and those who refuse to believe. If we abide in Him we are in the light and will not stumble, but if we do not abide in Him we walk in darkness and stumble. Jesus is the stumbling stone that people stumble over when they refuse to believe and be obedient to His Word. (See I Peter 2:6-10)

21-27) DIALOGUE BETWEEN JESUS AND MARTHA
MARTHA: Knew that Jesus could heal the sick
JESUS: Lazarus will rise again.
MARTHA: Knew Lazarus would rise on last day.
JESUS: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. (WHAT A WONDERFUL PROMISE!)
MARTHA: Believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the one who comes into the world.

28-36) JESUS SHOWS HIS COMPASSION Jesus was struck by the grief of Mary and the Jews. So much so that Jesus also wept. His compassion even though He knew what was about to happen is very comforting. Even the Jews saw that Jesus held much love for Lazarus, but Jesus weeping went beyond Lazarus. He wept for the suffering that people endure here on earth. He understands our grief and He grieves with us.

37-46) Lazarus is raised from the dead! THE REACTION? Some believed, but some rain to tell the chief priests and Pharisees. (Probably hoping for some kind of a reward.)

47-53)CHIEF PRIEST AND PHARISEES CALL A MEETING! Caiaphas speech is prophetic. Caiaphas hardly realized the full meaning of his own words. He was simply expressing the thought of a polictical collaboration with Rome - yet his words expressed the central doctine of the Chrisitan faith - Jesus' true mission, to die for the salvation of people and the nation of Israel. (The nation's salvation will take place at the second coming.)

54-57) JESUS CLOSES OUT HIS PUBLICE MINISTRY! The third Passover is coming and they are looking for HIm. He is now going to prepare His disciples for His death and departure.

FATHER, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN YOU WILL COME BACK AND RAISE ALL BELIEVERS FROM THE GRAVE TO ETERNITY WITH YOU. AMEN