John 11

Verses 1-4

• Like the man born blind in chapter 9, this infirmity created an opportunity for Jesus to perform a miracle that would bring glory to God.

  • See things this way. When something bad happens, think about how you can glorify God through it. Don't think hopelessly.

 

Verses 5-7

• Jesus did not go when people wanted Him to go. He went when the Father gave Him permission. 

  • Understand that the time that people ask for help is not always the time you are supposed to go. Act wisely.

 

Verses 8-10

• Even though the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, Jesus knew that He would not be killed because the Father had more work for Him to do.

• And He knew there was a limited amount of time for Him to work, so He would not waste that time. Because He wanted to be productive, He would not let threats against His life slow Him down.

  • Figuratively, if you walk urgently in obedience to God, like Jesus did, you will not stumble; as, you will be walking in the light. But if you walk in laziness and disobedience, you will face many problems. Obey God's Word, accomplish much, and don't waste time!

 

Verses 11-16

• Verse 15. Jesus could even be happy about the death of a loved one because He knew that the final outcome would be a resurrection, and that the faith of His disciples would be strengthened..

  • When things happen that we think to be negative, understand that God knows outcomes, for our good, that we are simply not aware of yet. Trust that God's will is what's best, and praise God for the good that will come!

  • As believers, we should keep our joy when another believer passes away because we know that they have entered the kingdom of heaven. Do not see death as the end; see it as a reason to rejoice. For a believer, “to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21).

 

Verses 17-22

• Verse 21. Mary made Jesus the problem, saying that He was to blame for the death of her brother. But even if Jesus had been present, He would not have done anything until the right time.

  • Understand that God always cares and He is never not present. What's important is that He does His works according to His own timing, and His own timing is what's best in every situation. He does not do what we prefer. He does what He wills, and His will is what's best both for yourself and for all those around you. 

    • Trust God's timing, and don't think that God isn't present or doesn't care. He simply knows that different timing is better.

 

Verses 23-27

• Jesus adds that eternal life is not only spiritual, but also physical. Believers, on the final day, will receive a new body that will live forever (1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 50-53). 

  • A saved person will never go to hell, and a saved person will never stay physically dead.

 

Verses 28-37

• Again, Jesus is blamed for the the death of Lazarus. But this time, when Jesus saw Mary and others weeping, He Himself was troubled, and He wept also.

• Even though Jesus had all power to raise Lazarus from the dead, and would not have been sad in Himself, He was sad to see the tears of those around Him.

  • In a state of perfect joy and faith, He could empathize with sadness. 

  • Understand that God not only sees your tears, but He feels what you feel (Psalm 103:13, Hebrews 4:15). Let this comfort you in time of need.

 

Verses 38-44

• It didn't matter how long Lazarus was dead. All things are possible with God. So Lazarus was raised and restored to normal!

• When Jesus prayed out loud, He did this not for Himself, but for the sake of those who heard Him.

  • In order to be in faith, you don't need to make long or spiritual prayers. Pray with few words from your heart, and this will bring results.

  • When you pray for someone else in-person, and you do it out loud, say what will encourage the one who hears you. Don't do it for yourself.

 

Verses 45-57

• The Pharisees wanted to do away with Jesus, in part, because they feared that they would lose their place of prominence. Jesus was a threat to their ambitions.

• And yet, even in their malice, the high priest, Caiaphas, prophesied that Jesus would die, and unknowingly, that His death would give birth to the church—Jews and Gentiles would become one family in Christ (Ephesians 2:15-19).

  • See God's power in the minds of unbelievers, in that used an unbeliever to declare what Christ's death would accomplish, and yet, they still proceeded to kill Him. Amazing! Remember that everyone is playing into God's hand even when they don't know it.