The Death of Lazarus John Chapter 11

The Death of Lazarus    John Chapter 11    SS Lesson Notes

Prepared by Lonnie Coggins

Introduction

      This event shows us our God deeply cares about us.

       
How Jesus Glorified God leading to God Glorifying Jesus
        and
 In every event of our lives, every crises
   There is opportunity to be thankful and
              Glorify God.

Considerations before Reading of the Scripture and Thoughts

When we read this passage we must remember
    Jesus is about About 1 week from His Glory:
        His death on the cross leading
              to His Resurrection.

I    Resurrection Beliefs, 1st Century AD
        General belief, Pharisees  at best resurrection
                                is at the end of days, on the final day
        Many believed, Sadducees especially, no resurrection at all
        OT Saints had almost no expressions about life after death.
               There was a belief in Sheol - a place of lifeless emptiness, 
                                                               (Barkley p91)

II-     All four Gospels speak of Mary and Martha,
Not necessarily in this context.
             Only John speaks of Lazarus   -interesting
This is much a story of faith of Martha and Mary and
      A story of Jesus Glorifying God

III      Other Things to remember-
All Jesus did was to Reveal and Glorify God
Jesus revealed God  to us      as
           The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us

To know of Jesus is to Know of God, The Mind of God
   But, on this earth, we will never completely know Jesus.

Triumphal Entry-    The Crowd based on Lazarus
         Resurrection Created incredible excitement in the People

Raising Lazarus to Life meant for Jesus to die due to
             the reaction of the Pharisees and the Jews
   But  Jesus knew:
It was Jesus’ destiny to sacrifice His life for us---- prophecy

IV     Mary and Martha  -two of the main characters in this story
         unusual to have been noted so heavily:
A-    They were women
B      Rabbi’s did not associate with women, talk with them
C-    Gives credence that this happened as written
Just as Chapter 2   the woman at the well in Sycar

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 

• A-   Two Bethany’s     One 2 miles from Jerusalem,  
•                                 #2 one Across the Jordan
•   Bethany #2 was a two days walk from Bethany 1.

2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)  

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 

            It was because of faith Jesus was sent for.
            Mary knew He would know what to do.
Notice the parallel to the first sign, John 2:5:
        5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
              Both situations depend on Jesus knowing just what to do,    
                     great faith on Mary and Martha. and Mary the mother of Jesus.
              One must wonder about what Mary saw as Jesus grew up.

4 When he heard this, Jesus said,“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 

A-   Jesus makes it clear that the sickness will
be to God’s Glory      and
     will not end in Lazarus’ death.-- Key to the whole event

B- The Son of Man will be glorified through it.
     glorified here means it will end in Jesus’ death
     His time has come, the moment He is to reveal Himself              not time as we know Time---Kairos  not ChronosStrong’s:   meaning
2540 kairós – time as opportunity. 2540 /kairós("opportune time")
is derived from kara ("head") referring to things "coming to a head"      to take full-advantage of.
 2540 (kairós) is "the suitable time, the right moment (e.g. Soph., El. 1292), a most favorable moment" (DNTT, 3, 833).   The time fits the circumstancesThe other Greek word concerning time:  
         Chronos    as in ‘What time is it?’

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 

A-   Does this make sense?
     Lazarus is sick, Jesus can heal,  and
        ….Jesus waits    Why?

B-   Answer:   Jesus had his own agenda

C-  Beliefs of the day----
      a man truly dead after three days,
            his spirit leaves him after 4 days

D-       The days at this time were warm,
            people buried quickly, sometimes alive

E-  Understand:   
     Jesus is to use this event to God’s Glory
                        that He-Jesus can be glorified (die)

a.   Timing-  one day to get the news to Jesus
              two days of waiting and
              One day for Jesus to walk from
                                  Bethany #2 to Bethany 1
4 days insures there is no discussion on
                   if Lazarus is truly dead or not

7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 

1. A-  His disciples do not want to go,  
2. B-  Because the Jews tried to stone him a couple weeks earlier when he healed the blind man    chapter 9&10
3. C-  Of course, no changing Jesus’ mind.    He is on a predestined Journey.

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime
                                  will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 

10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 

1. A-  It is time for the disciples to walk in his light, see God’s Glory
2. and not stumble when the darkness falls on them (his death)
3. B-  Theme in John of Light and Dark
4.   Light-  good      Dark---bad     
5.   Used in 13:30 as Judas goes to do his deed and other places
6.   As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.  And it was night.”
7. C-  Jesus is safe in the Light

11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 

• A-  We see a teaching method of Jesus
• 1-Say something that is confusing----Lazarus is asleep
• 2-then explain,    
•      the principle of teaching is 
•  “Confusion is often the beginning of understanding”
•                                       ---- Lonnie, 1989

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 

15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

• A-   Look, Jesus says “I am glad…”  
•        again, Jesus has His agenda and will not be pushed in any way
• B-   Jesus is in control-  always.
•    and always on His agenda…. Even at His trials 
• C-   “Glad” because the death of Lazarus gives Jesus the moment to demonstrate His identity.

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus ) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

• A-  Thomas is evidently the leader at the moment
• B-  Where is Peter?    He is not mentioned-  only in Ch 1,6,13,18,20,21
• C-  Thomas was a doubter but certainly no quitter.

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 
      Jesus' agenda is going as planned.

18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 

19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 

• A-  Many different Jews, but surely some staunch Pharisees
• B-  The Pharisees were looking for Jesus to come
• C-  Verse 45,6 confirms this
• D-  the writer, John the Apostle, gives us details, he is an eye-witness

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 

A-  Remember, Martha is the outgoing, the extrovert, the busy-body of the two,

B-  Mary a bit reserved, always at Jesus' feet

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 

• A-  “If you had been here”  shows faith in Jesus
• B-  Can be taken as fussing or a distraught woman expressing grief, but
•     most probably not criticism
• C-  Clearly the latter part of the expression show much faith but also shows she does not totally comprehend what Jesus can do.
• D-   

22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 

• A-  Again, shows great faith, 
•      but not the realization of a possible resurrection, immediately

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 

• A-  Again showing she does not really comprehend the power of Jesus.
• B-                    Now comes the Great Confession

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 

• A- This “I AM”  gives us a connection to 
•                  “Yahweh” of the Burning bush.
• B- For the Pharisees to hear this, they did not, 
•                 it would be a blaspheme.
• C- The first clear confession in John is to be that of a woman.
• D-    Not only is Jesus the Source of Resurrection but also
•        the Sourse of Life, both now and Eternal life
•       the source of all life as the creator,   John 1:3   Jesus Created life
•         Believe in Jesus, no eternal death
•       When you are sick, you want a doctor
•      When you are sued, you want a lawyer
•        When you face death, you want a Savior, not a doctrine
•         You want Jesus

26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah,
the Son of God,
who is to come into the world.” 

A-  This had to be as it is because it is written about a woman. 

B-    John must have heard this!!!
Remember too:
  a woman at the well was first to hear from Jesus who He is

C-    A high point in the Gospel,
    She understands Jesus’ purpose on earth
   Just at Peter in Matthew,
                    “You are the Christ, Son of the Living God.”

D-    To the non-believer Greek reader,
                       this is absolutely Mind Boggling
  for the unbelieving Greek mind, this is absolutely unbelievable!.

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 

Martha wanted Mary to have a quiet time with Jesus.

29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 

30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 

31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 

• A-   Mary was informed quietly (aside).      Others with her unaware of Jesus
• B-  Her “friends”, probably some enemies of Jesus     think she is going to mourn
• C-  Mourning was traditionally a period of seven days,       sorta like Marriage feasts.
• D-   

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 

• A-  She is distraught and express grief that        Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’s death.
• B-  Mary mentioned Gospels 3x  Juke 10:39, John 11:32 12:3      Always at Jesus’ feet

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 

• A- “moved and troubled”   causes
• B-        Jesus to be somewhat angry and disturbed
• C- Troubled:  involuntary deep stern, outrage (angry) emotion
• D- The crowd weeping did not show much faith or
         or belief in Him because of His signs!!!

34 “Where have you laid him?”he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 

35 Jesus wept. 

• A-  Jesus is frustrated sorrow  that
       no one understands Him after all he has done.
• B-  After all the teaching, all the signs,      no one is really understanding Him
• C-  Perhaps, Jesus weaps over everyone’s lack of faith and trust
• D-  Unlikely due to sadness over Lazarus’ death
• E-          He knows what he is going to do!!!   And its consequences
• F-  He is showing human compassion and or emotion For the Greek reader- this is unbelievable    they understand Jesus is the mind of God from Chapter 1    but this is showing a God unlike their stoic or epicurian beliefs       ---- a belief in an uncaring, unemotional, unconcerned God!
• H-  Greek thought-  simply stated:  God created and disappeared

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 

• A-  “The Jews”  misinterpret Jesus’ behavior
• B-  Again, John’s writing shows     Everyone’s lack of understanding on what Jesus can really do!
• C-  They are really going to see how Jesus Loved Lazarus
• D-  Everyone will see something as never before
• E-      The raising will be “amazing” as we read often in Matthew         Unlike anything ever done before.

37  But some of them said,
              “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”A-  This really gets Jesus going and
             wants to show and Glorify God
B-  He will do what he came to do without hesitation
C-                   Regardless of consequences
D-   Jesus knows what they are saying
        and again it “deeply moves” him
E-    When John repeats himself, he is probably
         emphasizing what he did not understand
         at the time of the event..

    

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 

• A-  Two  times Deeply Moved

39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 

• A-  Martha’s comment seems strange after her confession
• B-  Typical womanly concern for others?   Perhaps
• C-  Jesus, deeply moved,    talks with authority!
• D-  They did what Jesus commanded
• E-  Notice that Jesus never says specifically what He will do    He just speaks of the “Glory” to be done.

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

• A-  Jesus reminds the crowd.
• B-  “You will see the Glory of God…”  ……meaning----
• C-  Just watch me!!!!!
•        Do not blink
•                Keep your eye on me,     there will be
•                       no arguments for about what you will see
• D-  Some see the truth-  Believers,
     but many see perhaps coincidence     unBelievers

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 

42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 

• A-    Again Notice what Jesus does not say
• B-            In his prayer,    He does not ask for a miracle
• C-            Likely Jesus had prayed about this already
• D-                This is for the people to see!!!!  
• E-                   They do not understand
• F-                            Let them see!!!!!
• G-       The Pharisees, upset, then go see the Temple leaders
• H-    The Prayer is to show that people understand that 
• He-Jesus has been sent to Glorify God and to be Glorified.

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 

Again with confidence and with authority
A      Lazarus    COME OUT!!!!!!

B      Validating what Jesus said all along and in this lesson
          Jesus is the source of resurrection and life!!!

44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Summary Thoughts

1. People were amazed at what Jesus did
   because this was unlike anything ever done before
   in history, or since.
   
2. For John, this is the supreme event
   leading  to "the Jews" putting Jesus to death.
   
3. We must remember from John 1:1-3, 14, John tells us
   Jesus was before the beginning of time  (verse 1)
   Jesus was the creative agent of God       (verse 3)
   Jesus became human, flesh, a man       (verse 14)
   and from John 3:16,
           God loves us so much, He sent Jesus to save us.
   
   What is your answer, as Jesus asked Peter,
        "Who do you say that I am?"
   Will you confess as Peter and Martha?
         "You are the Christ, Son of the Living God."
   
   It is the question of your eternity.    What say you?
   God commands an answer!  An answer for your eternity.
   Your answer is to God, not man.
   
4. Thanks be to God
   
   

The Rest of the Story

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 

And of course some did not believe.

47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 

48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 

      Power corrupts

         They missed the boat

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 

50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 

52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 

53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life. 

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 

56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 

57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.