Jesus Receives Word of Lazarus’ Sickness

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

1. (verses 1-2) Look up Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. What is there relationship with Christ?

Luke 10:38-42 records the time when Christ was staying at the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They apparently were believers, and allowed Jesus to use their home as a resting stop. The fact that the house is called Martha’s has caused some to conclude that Martha was the oldest and Mary and Lazarus were younger siblings. Bethany was situated only a few miles outside of Jerusalem.

3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

2. (verse 3) What does this verse tell us about Christ’s compassion on people? Why do you think the sisters sent word to Christ?

Martha and Mary knew that Jesus loved them. They had seen it in the way he acted toward them. So when Lazarus became ill, they sent for him. No doubt they had seen or heard of his miracles. They knew that Christ would want to know about the illness of Lazarus.

McGee writes, " ‘He whom thou lovest.’ Lazarus is loved by the Savior. Paul said, ‘He loved me" (see Gal. 2:20). John called himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter declared that Jesus loves us. And by the way, He loves you and He loves me. Anyone who is a child of God is one whom Jesus loves."

4When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

3. (verses 4-6) Why did Lazarus have to die? Why did Christ delay 2 more days? Why do you think Christians sometimes have to go through times of suffering?

The servants that brought this message to Jesus no doubt returned to Martha and Mary with Christ’s words. How difficult it must have been for them to hear that Jesus had delayed his coming. From verse 39 we see that Lazarus probably died before Jesus could have arrived. By the time Christ got there, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days.

Notice in verse 4 Christ says that the reason for this sickness if that the glory of God may be manifested. There are times when we may have to endure suffering. We might not understand at the time, but God works things in our life for his glory. It is not for us to question him but only to trust him.

7 Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?"

4. (verses 7-8) Why did the Jews seek to stone Jesus? What do these verses tell us about Jesus’ disciples?

In chapter 10 we saw how the Jewish leaders sought to stone Christ for making himself equal to God. No doubt the disciples had witnessed this and were frightened for Jesus. They certainly cared for his well-being and were concerned for his safety.

9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

10 "But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

5. (verses 9-10) Should we be afraid when we’re doing God’s work? What is Christ’s analogy of day and night referring to?

If we are doing God’s work, we should not be afraid. God is able to protect us against all harm. For a number of years our church had been taking Christmas turkey dinners to a park in a bad section of town. One year, there had been fights and a stabbing in the park. So that Christmas day after we had finished serving the food at the church, there was much discussion as to whether we should go to the park. One of the elders insisted it was not safe. There were a number of teenagers in the group. Everyone had reached an impasse. Finally, I said I was going. I expressed that I felt God would protect us, and those who wanted to come with me were welcome, but those who felt it would be wise to stay behind should stay and help with the clean up at the church. One by one the people began to volunteer to go with me including the two teenage children of the elder. He then volunteered to pray for our safety, and I doubt if anyone prayed harder than that man. But I believed then, and I still believe today, that when we are doing the Lord’s work, we are walking in his light. We are under his care.

11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."

12 Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well."

13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

6. (verses 11-13) Why did Christ refer to Lazarus as asleep when he was really dead? What euphemisms do we use for "death"? What is the disciples’ concern expressed in verse 12?

Jesus uses an interesting expression. We have euphemisms for death. We say someone passed away or he went home to be with the Lord. Sleep is often used in the Bible to refer to death. But I think Christ used the term he was thinking. He knew that Lazarus would wake up. Of course the disciples misunderstood him. The disciples sound hopeful in verse 12, but I have a hunch they are quizzing him as to what he really means.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.

15 "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."

7. (verse 15) Why would Jesus say, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there"? Do you think the disciples had any idea what might happen? Has God done something in your life that you could only understand later?

The disciples could not possibly understand the significance of what was about to happen. But this is one event that they would never forget. They had seen many mighty miracles, but none like the one they were about to experience. Sometimes we must go through storms or trials that we cannot understand. It is only later, after we have been delivered that we can see how God’s hand was in the whole situation, and we can understand how he guided us through our time of difficulty.

As McGee remarked, "My friend, it is down in the valley, even in the valley of the shadow of death, that we must learn to trust Him. He teaches us patience, teaches us that we can rest in Him, teaches us that he works all things well. We need to look beyond the tears, the sorrows, and the trials of life, and see that God has a purpose in everything that happens."

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

8. (verse 16) What does this verse tell us about Thomas? Have you ever been in danger because of the gospel message?

This is one of the great statements of loyalty ever recorded anywhere. Thomas is willing to go with Jesus even though he may face stoning by the Jewish leaders. He doesn’t regard his own safety, but is willing to suffer with Christ. There may be times when we are in danger because of the gospel message. But let us be like Thomas – willing to face any danger, even death, because of our loyalty to Christ.

Footnotes:



	A Study of John 11:1-16