Bible Study – John 11

Zippity Do Da, Zippity Yay, I’m so glad that it’s Tuesday! We’re in John 11, you’ll see more names for Jesus and it’s a wonderful story. 

So grab your NIV because at this point I am certain that’s where we’ll be. Here’s the online NIV.

Ooh, look at this…
Psalm 97:10 NIV
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

We’ll see some of that in this too. Further toward the end.

Let’s pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, You are ‘over all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under Your feet and appointed You to be head over everything for the church,’ (Ephesians 1:21-22) Lord. We are Your assembly. Your ekklesia, Your gathering. Your Church. So I ask, lead us. Reveal what it is in all of this, that You want us to see and know in this wonderful chapter of the beloved disciple’s gospel. Thank You for these words, this ability to read and write and listen and question and talk about all these words. Come, Lord, make these words so powerful in our lives that we will know You and love You more than anything else in all of creation. In Your holy and precious name, I pray. Amen.

Read John 11:1-4
The Death of Lazarus

What did Jesus say this sickness is for? It’s two things:

Did you notice what the sisters called their brother?

Do you know you are loved? Every single day. Every single moment. His Love covers every moment of Your life. You are loved. Anyone could say to Him of you “Lord, the one you love…” 

Read John 11:5-8

This is a display of fear, the disciples fear, but Jesus showed peace. Let’s read on…

Read John 11:9-16

What does Jesus call death?

It is here that I just have to mention that the Desiring God podcast with John Piper is in Ephesians at the moment and it’s true, death in Jesus is like sleep only there will be no discernible moment of it when we die, we’ll be instantly transferred to Jesus to live and await the final resurrection. So get in Him, stay in Him, He loves You, run to Him. Really, it’s like John Piper drew it: Life here/life there in spirit/Resurrection when He comes to bring it to those who are His and remain living on this earth at that time. Paul explains that in another letter, 1 Corinthians 15 this:
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

And in 1 Thessalonians 4:
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

To be in Jesus, you too will be transferred to where He is, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every name that is invoked not only now but forever. Jesus is the only name worth remembering.

Read John 11:17-27
Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

Here it is. What else is Jesus? Two names: Four if you also see the ones Martha calls Him.

Jesus promises what in verse 26? Write out His statement and post it where you’ll see it frequently. You can sign it Jesus, the…. To remember who it is who promised you that every time you see it.

Read John 11:28-36

Martha went to get Mary. What did she call Jesus when she reached her?

Jesus asked what?

What did the Jews say?

Unfortunately now we’re about to see the evil. So first, review. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, Messiah and Son of God. He is all powerful and He loves those who love Him especially, but everyone else too.

Read John 11:37

First, I will say, Yes, he could have, but Jesus himself waited because He said this sickness was what up in verse 4?

Read John 11:38-40
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

How do you think Jesus responded to Martha? I think it was quiet and full of compassion and love. “Did I not tell you that if you _____________, you will see the _____________________.”

Read John 11:41-44

Jesus prays so that the people standing here will what?

What happened when Jesus called?

There is a song I want to put right here but if I do that, you may forget to finish the chapter, so remember this point. It will be at the end.

Read John 11:45-53
The Plot to Kill Jesus

Yes, I know that Jesus will freely hand over His life and take it up again, but still, these words hurt. Do you see the jealousy? The fear? The evil in their words and their hearts?

Yet, verses 51b and 52 are worth writing. Start with ‘Jesus would…’

Read John 11:54

Jesus went from Judea to ______________.

Read John 11:55-57

Which holiday is mentioned?

It’s a bit of a cliffhanger here. I really considered added some of chapter 12, but in the interest of your time and because the last part of this goes more with chapter 12, it’s best we just stop here.

Remember, He is with us. 

Let’s pray:
Lord, there is such a scary section at the end of this chapter, yet, I know, You knew it then too, and You were not taken until You gave your life. So I want to thank You for Your wonderfulness, Your Peace, Your Presence, Your Promise to hold onto us and bring us from life here to life with You instantly. Draw us ever closer to You, Lord. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Rise Up (Lazarus) by Cain