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) 2. The Return of Jesus to Bethany (11:17-37) a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv )a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv ) b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv )b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv ) c. Jesus Proclaims Himself (vv )c. Jesus Proclaims Himself (vv ) d. Martha Responds to His Proclamation (vv. 27) e. Mary Meets Jesus (vv )e. Mary Meets Jesus (vv ) f. Jesus Grieves with the People (vv )

3. The Raising of Lazarus (11:38-44)3. The Raising of Lazarus (11:38-44) a. Jesus’ Preparation (vv a)a. Jesus’ Preparation (vv a) b. Martha’s Doubting (vv. 39b-40)b. Martha’s Doubting (vv. 39b-40) c. Jesus’ Prayer (vv )c. Jesus’ Prayer (vv ) d. Jesus’ Command (v. 43)d. Jesus’ Command (v. 43) e. Lazarus’ Resurrection (v. 44)e. Lazarus’ Resurrection (v. 44) a. Jesus’ Preparation (vv a)a. Jesus’ Preparation (vv a)  Read Jn 11:38.

 Many Jews buried their dead in caves, natural or hewn out of the rock.  Read Jn 11:39a.  In performing miracles Jesus did not waste His power. ~ Only God can raise the dead, but men can move a stone away from a tomb. ~ How gracious of the Lord to call us to participate in His glorious work here on earth!

b. Martha’s Doubting (vv. 39b-40)b. Martha’s Doubting (vv. 39b-40)  Read Jn 11:39b-40. ~ John records this objection of Martha in order to emphasize the greatness of the miracle.  This statement is also a sign of distrust, for Martha expects less from Christ’s power than she should have.  The root of this failure: comparing God’s infinite and incomprehensible power with her human reasoning.

~ John Calvin: “When our minds are ruled by a wrong way of thinking we, as it were, banish God from us so that he cannot do his work in us.” ~ This is what happens when we remove God from the equation of our needs and situations!  A confused faith is of little help unless it can be made to work when we come to a concrete situation.

 Further, in Martha we see how many defects there are in even the best person’s faith. ~ For us to experience Christ’s grace, we must learn to give it far greater power than our senses can grasp. ~ And if the first and single promise of God is not strong enough for us, we must at any rate, like Martha, give way when Christ confirms us a second and third time.

 Read Jn 11:40. ~ This rhetorical question must be taken as a summary of what was promised in vv ~ If, as Martha herself confessed (v. 27), Jesus the Messiah is the resurrection and the life, then even in the face of this death He is to be trusted, for He will do nothing other than that which displays the glory of God.

 SOMETIMES GOD BRINGS SUFFERING INTO OUR LIVES TO SHOW US – AND THE WORLD AROUND US – WHAT AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE LOOKS LIKE. ~ We assume that our suffering is entirely about our own lives and we rarely realize that our suffering is for the world. ~ We assume that our suffering is entirely about our own lives and we rarely realize that our suffering is for the world. ~ It’s for others to see our response, to get a glimpse of an eternal perspective, and to notice what peace the Father can give.

~ We aren’t forbidden to grieve or ask questions, but we are forbidden to become completely self-absorbed. ~ If you are going through a hard time, try to avoid too much introspection. ~ Look at what God might do through your situation for others! ~ Let the world see eternity in your eyes. ~ Charles Spurgeon: “In shunning a trial, we are seeking to avoid a blessing.” ~ Charles Spurgeon: “In shunning a trial, we are seeking to avoid a blessing.”

 “... if you believe.” ~ This is said because our faith smooths the way for God’s power and goodness to be displayed to us. ~ Ps 81:10~ Ps 81:10 ~ Again, unbelief blocks God’s way and, as it were, keeps His hands closed. ~ Matt 13:58~ Matt 13:58

~ This does not mean that God’s power is limited by men’s will, but because, as far as they can, their malice opposes it, and therefore they do not deserve it to be shown to them.  Of course, Jesus cannot have meant that the performance of the miracle was dependent upon Martha’s exercise of faith.

 “... see the glory of God.” ~ Observe that a miracle is called “the glory of God,” because God, by displaying in it the power of His hand, glorifies His name. ~ The purpose of the whole event was for Jesus to exhibit the glory of God. ~ Recall Jn 11:4.~ Recall Jn 11:4.

~ In order for the miracle to occur and for God to be glorified through it, the sisters would have to believe enough to order the stone to be removed from the tomb’s entrance.