Introduction
The Bible is the Word of God and it
is profitable for:
a) Teaching
b) Shaping our conscience
c) Changing our behaviours
d) Transforming our
characters
The
above list helped to shaped us to be like Jesus. Christian love is not the same as Hollywood
love. We are to love what is good and
hate what is evil. We must be balanced
so that we do not end our love like Hollywood.
The Story of
Lazarus
John
chapter 11 especially the story of Lazarus spoke of the character of God in
Jesus. Jesus was human and yet divine.
In John chapter 10 Jesus was depicted as a fugitive, and the authority wanted
to get him. Chapter 10:32 they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy. Ch.10:39 He escaped from the authority. Lazarus lived with Mary and her sister Martha
at Bethany which was about two miles from Jerusalem.
Two
things Jesus wanted to established:
1) He was the promised Messiah as prophesied by
the prophets in the Old Testament. John 12:16
2) He is the Son of Gd. John 10,11,12. Chapter 10:36, the Jews accused Him of
blasphemy when Jesus said He is the Son of God.
Raising of Lazarus
The
account was unique in John 11. Lazarus,
Mary and Martha had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus loved Lazarus. When he died Jesus wept.
Two
aspects of Jesus:
a) His humanity – He
exhibited human emotion. He grieved for
Lazarus until He wept.
b) Divinity of Christ – Yet
Jesus is God. He could raise the dead.
Resurrection
Life
For
Christians, water baptism symbolized the dying of self, and as one rose from
the water, one is resurrected. Colossian 2:12. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18. Martha knew the concept of resurrection
because she said if Jesus had arrive earlier, Lazarus would have been alive.
In
John 11:6 the verse said Jesus delayed in coming to Lazarus. This delayed can be interpreted that we do
not have to worry about delays in answers to our prayers. God knows what He is doing. God’s ways are higher than our ways.
The Upper
Looks
As
Jesus prayed He looked up. He has
confidence in His prayers. E.g Matthew
14:19, the story of five loaves and two fishes.
In John 17:1 He prayed for His disciples with confidence.
Humanity in Divinity
When
He saw Mary and Martha grieving He was troubled V.33. V.35 Jesus wept. V.38
Jesus was deeply moved. Jesus was moved
in a) anger b) with trembling.
Why
was Jesus angry? Why was He grieved? He
was angry because He came face to face with the thing He came to destroy –
death. He grieved because He should be
with the family that he loved when they were facing the deep difficulties.
Application
The
lesson is summed up in Hebrew 4:15-16 (ASV)
15 For we have not a high priest
that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath
been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
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