THE GOSPEL OF JOHN III. The Opposition to the Son of God (5:1–12:50) A. At The Feast In Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-47) B.During The Passover (Jn 6:1-71) C. During The Feast Of Tabernacles (Jn 7:1 – 10:21) D. During The Feast Of Dedication (Jn 10:22-42) E. Because Of The Death And Resurrection Of Lazarus (Jn 11:1-57)

1. The Report of Lazarus’ Illness (11:1- 16) a. Lazarus Is Sick (vv. 1-3)a. Lazarus Is Sick (vv. 1-3) b. Jesus Delays (vv. 4-7)b. Jesus Delays (vv. 4-7) c. His Disciples Object (v. 8)c. His Disciples Object (v. 8)  Read Jn 11:8. ~ The disciples recognize that the hostility against Jesus is now so great it could easily result in His death.

~ They did not yet understand that Jesus had to suffer (cf. Matt 16:21, 22). ~ They do not recognize that His death, however appalling an event, would also be His glorification and the consummation of His ministry.  But Jesus was not afraid, for He knew that He had to die and that His death would only occur in the Father’s timing.

d. Jesus Explains (vv. 9-16)d. Jesus Explains (vv. 9-16)  Read Jn 11:9-10.  In response to the disciples’ hesitation about returning to Judea, Jesus asked this startling rhetorical question. ~ The answer which Jesus gives, like so many of His sayings, has a deep meaning.  A figure is used in order that it may illustrate a beautiful and comforting spiritual truth.

~ If we walk in the light of this plan (which was known to Jesus), willingly submitting to it, we shall have nothing to worry about (we cannot suffer real injury); if we do not, we shall fail.  The disciples’ fears related to the limited sphere of human effort. ~ Jesus pointed to an unlimited sphere – the sovereignty of God, who transcends the limits of time and over whom people have no control.

~ We should remember that God’s sovereignty extends to each moment of our life; otherwise, our trust in Him will be limited to only those times when He meets our expectations. ~ We will repeat the disciples’ mistake – attempting to limit God to the sphere of human effort.

 How Do Trials Glorify God? ~ They develop our Christian character as we exercise patience (Rom 5:1-5), and they provide an example of strength, courage, and dependence on God to unbelievers. ~ They wean us from life’s attractions, diversions, and illusions as we focus on God for help.

~ They reveal the flimsy grip we have on health and prosperity in this life, as we realize that we must trust in God for our security. ~ They intensify our desire to be with God in eternity, where we will receive new bodies and be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us. ~ William Gurney: “Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death. Why shouldst thou be afraid to die, who hopest to live by dying!”

~ They provide opportunities to portray how God’s timing expresses His love to us ~ They provide opportunities to portray how God’s timing expresses His love to us. ~ Many Christians who have faced calamity testified later how God’s timing showed them a new side to His love.  Because the disciples have been asked to accompany Jesus to Judea (v. 7), there is an obvious application to them as well.

~ Jesus Himself is “the Light of the World” (8:12) who is still with them. ~ As long as they have Him, for the full twelve hours of their “daylight” they should perform the works assigned them. ~ The mention of “hours” clearly implied that time would run out.

 The simple lesson of using daylight to get work done illustrates our deeper need to do spiritual work in the “light” of Jesus’ presence and God’s guidance. ~ As long as we do our work in the light of Christ’s presence we would not stumble. ~ Sadly, those who live in the dark, without the presence of Jesus’ light in them, will stumble.

 Jesus received His guidance from the highest source – the Father. ~ The disciples were tempted to receive their guidance from the most immediate source – their circumstances. ~ When making decisions, we should analyze our circumstances but not regard them as infallible guides.

~ If we rely on our circumstances for guidance too much, we will walk in circles. ~ We need not rush around, frantically or fearfully trying to stay ahead of uncontrollable circumstances. ~ Rather, we can and must ask for His help in making wise use of our available time and opportunities. ~ Rather, we can and must ask for His help in making wise use of our available time and opportunities. ~ Our first question should be: What would Jesus have me do?