Chronological Gospels: John 11
This week we read through John 11 where Jesus’s dear friend Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, has died. Several times these three siblings are acknowledged as beloved by Jesus. Jesus was told of Lazarus’s illness and His response is to pray and wait for God’s timing. He waits for Lazarus to die, then goes to see Martha and Mary.
Describe a time you held onto faith even when circumstances were painful.
Jesus traveled to Martha and Mary, having told the disciples He was going to wake Lazarus up from sleep. Upon arriving and speaking with Martha and Mary, Jesus proclaimed that He is the resurrection and the life. Those who have faith in Him would never die. He was declaring that those who have faith would have eternal life.
What does this statement teach us about Jesus?
What does this teach us about who we are through Jesus?
In their grief, the women still show their faith in Him. They knew that God would work through Jesus. Jesus was moved by their faith and brought Lazarus back to life. This moment is a turning point in Jesus’s ministry.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, causing many to witness this miracle and believe in Him. Some, though, told the Pharisees who then used this as an excuse to plot against Jesus. The Pharisees were so drunk with their power and position that they looked at all of the miracles Jesus performed and rather than worship they plotted to kill Him so they could keep their power over the people and trusted status with Rome.
Describe a time you saw God at work and missed the point. How did this impact your faith when you realized what you’d missed at the time?
In all of these moments that the Pharisees sought to kill Jesus I am reminded of my own fight against Him before finally coming to Him, but also I remember that even these moments were used by God for His purposes. As the story continues, we see how God used this within the ultimate plan for redemption.
Describe a time in your life when God used unexpected or even painful circumstances that led to good. What did this teach you about God?
