The first and fourth miracles recorded in John’s gospel demonstrate the power of Jesus to create. He turned water used for

washing hands to high-quality wine in an instant, and he fed thousands of Jews by multiplying two fish and five loaves of bread. As

John pointed out, through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).

In the second, third, and sixth miracles, Jesus healed the royal official’s dying son, the crippled man, and the man born blind,

respectively. Long before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah’s power to heal. Then will the eyes of the blind be

opened (Isaiah 35:5a). Then will the lame leap like a deer (Isaiah 35:6a). Jesus himself confirmed his identity as the Messiah to John

the Baptist, saying: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are

cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them” (Luke 7:22).

The seventh miracle — the raising of Lazarus from the dead — shows us that God allows pain and suffering so that we may know

His love, grow in faith, and hope in His glory.

Knowing God’s love (vv. 1-14)

There is a close relationship between Lazarus’ family and Jesus. John categorically states that Jesus loved Martha and her sister and

Lazarus (v. 5). These siblings listened to Jesus’ teachings, ate with him, and attended to his needs and those of his disciples.

After emphasizing how Jesus loved this family, John then wrote that when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he

was two more days (v. 6). You might find it strange that Jesus was in no hurry to leave immediately for Bethany, where this family

resided, after receiving the message that Lazarus was very sick. Jesus delayed his trip to Bethany out of his love for this family, that

they might know him more. He wanted them to see the glory of God manifested through his raising of Lazarus from the dead!

Growing in faith (vv. 17-32)

Martha and her sister Mary already believed in Jesus as the Messiah. They had faith in Jesus’ power to heal. What would they have

felt when their brother did not get any better, even though their message was received by Jesus? Would they have felt that Jesus

did not love them for letting Lazarus die?

Jesus wanted them to see the spiritual truth that their Lord is the Creator of the universe. He chose to demonstrate that he is the

resurrection and the life (v. 25) by raising from the dead someone that he loved. Jesus is the author of life. The implication of this

to Martha, to the disciples, to us, is this: If Jesus is the resurrection and the life, then the one who believes in him will live, even

though they die (v. 25). Allowing Lazarus to die so that Jesus could raise him from the dead was an act of love that made Martha’s

and Mary’s faith grow.

Hoping in God’s glory (vv. 25-26, 38-44)

Lazarus was raised to life after hearing the voice of Jesus (v. 43). This would have raised Martha’s hope not only that Jesus is

indeed the Messiah but also that he has power over death. The same would have been true for Mary and for the disciples. They

were witnesses to God’s glory demonstrated through the Son. Aside from Mary, Martha, and the disciples, there were many Jews

who witnessed the glory of God through Christ and put their faith in Jesus. According to John, many of the Jews who had come to

visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him (v. 45).

For the believing Jews, the long wait was over. The Messiah had come. The sting of death was no more, for the Messiah had

demonstrated that He is the resurrection and the life.

Midweek Bulletin

Pastor’s Email Note 21

Aug. 9, 2017

Seven miracles in John: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46)

To honor God and make Christ-committed followers who will make

Christ-committed followers

REFLECTIONS:

Some of you have been coming every Sunday and attending small groups throughout the week to learn how you can have intimacy with God. To have an intimate relationship with God, you must know the Son, Jesus Christ, and how he loves you and me. At the heart of intimacy is trust. Such trust grows when we come to know Jesus more and more. What has the Lord been speaking to you during these past seven Sundays in these seven miracles of Jesus highlighted in John’s gospel?

There are those of you who are going through a difficult time. Like Mary and Martha whose eyes would have constantly gazed on the rugged roads of Bethany, looking expectantly for Jesus to come, you may be getting discouraged with a delay in the Lord ’s answer to you. Remember that Christ’s purposes toward those whom He loves is anchored in love, and this includes His delay. Remember that God is love (1 John 4:8,16), and He acts for our good. We must not let delays paralyze us. As we wait on the Lord, we should continue to go about His work — telling others about Jesus, and making disciples at home, in our neighborhood, in the marketplace. If we love Jesus, then we will obey His commands (John 14:15).

Ultimately, our hope is in God’s glory through His Son. For followers of Christ, there is certainty that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Sharing

What main point(s) spoke to you the most from this week’s sermon? Discuss.

Review and going deeper in the Word

a. We have completed our study of the seven miracles in John’s gospel. Which miracles demonstrate Jesus’ power to create?

Which ones demonstrate his power to heal? What does the raising of Lazarus reveal about Jesus? Read Isaiah 25:8. What

does Isaiah prophesy about the Messiah?

b. Read John 11:32-36. Why was Jesus moved in spirit and greatly troubled (v. 33)? What does verse 35 say? What do these

verses reveal about Jesus? Read Colossians 1:15-16 and John 1:3. Have you ever thought about God in the flesh, the Creator

of the universe, weeping? True or false: Is our God distant to those He loves?

c. Christ’s delay was borne out of love. (Read John 11:5-6.) How was his love demonstrated in our passage?

d. Mary and Martha expressed to Jesus their deep sadness by saying, “If only you had been here!” Is it okay to express to Jesus

how we feel just as these two sisters did? Do you express to our Lord your joys or sorrows in life? Why or why not?

Applying God’s Word

a. Read 1 John 4:8,16. If God knows everything, and He acts for our good because God is Love, then how should we face our

burdens, sorrows, and trials when there is a delay in God’s answer?

b. Share with the group any burden, sorrow, or trial, if any, that you are facing today. How does this study encourage you?

Take time to pray for one another.

Seven miracles in John: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (cont’d)

To honor God and make Christ-committed followers who will make

Christ-committed followers