Today’s passage: John 11:17-27
Helpful thoughts:
- There was a belief among Jews at the time (An unbiblical belief) that the spirit of a person hovered over their dead body for three days after their death hoping to get back in. At the end of three days, the spirit gave up hope and left. Again, this wasn’t and still isn’t true. But, it may give us an indication of why Jesus waited until the fourth day to raise Lazarus from the dead. By this time, people (even though misguided) would have lost all hope for Lazarus to come back.
- Martha believed that Jesus could do whatever God willed.
- He could have healed Lazarus before he died.
- He could have raised him up “even now” (Verse 22).
- He would raise up all believers in the resurrection on the “last day.”
- Jesus can do all of these things, and He embodies all these things. He is the resurrection and the life!
- Martha gives testimony to her belief. She is in heaven with Jesus today and will be raised up because she believed (Believes) in Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of God.”
Questions to consider:
- According to Jesus’ words in this passage, what must a person do to be saved? What will be the eternal result of our belief?
- Do you believe this? What happens when believers physically die (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-23)?
- How can this passage minister hope to a person who has lost a loved one, or to a person who is nearing death themselves? How could you share this passage in a way that could minister the Gospel to the lost who are sick?