The Gospel of John #61

by Robert E. Guenther
Continuing our review of the Gospel of John, Chapter 11:1-10.  Our Lord is using the death of Lazarus to help His disciples understand the truth about resurrection.
    Vs John 11: 1  “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Our Lord using the names of these people and the name of the town Bethany so we can all know who these people are. We should notice that this is not the Lazarus (the beggar) mentioned in Luke 16: 20 – 25.
    Vs John 11: 2  (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) This could be the same woman not named Mary, in Luke 7: 37, 38, 46; that anointed His head with oil and washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
    Vs John 11: 3  “Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” Their request is meant to cause such concern for Lazarus that our Lord would immediately come and heal him.
    Vs John 11: 4 “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.?” He was explaining to them that there was a greater purpose to be served in not healing Lazarus immediately.
    Vs John 11: 5  “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” The truth of the matter is that His delay is not caused because of a lack of love on our Lord’s part.
    Vs John 11: 6  “When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” The Lord knew that Lazarus resurrection was going to be a greater miracle and harder to believe the truth of his rising if it was delayed.
    Vs John 11: 7 “Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.” His disciples do not know the reason for the delay but surmise it might be because of some death threats as we read in our next verse.
    Vs John 11: 8  “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?” Our Lord is not concerned about His safety but is focused on doing the Fathers will.
    Vs John 11: 9 “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.” Our Lord is explaining that He walks in the Light and His Father keeps Him safe as He does the Father’s business. When we walk in the Light we can rest in the fact that our heavenly Father will keep us.
   Vs John 11:10 “But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. We can choose to walk in the path that the Lord has shown us and as a result not stumble.  Or we can walk in the path the world offers which is in the darkness. May we walk in the Light of His way.                                                                                                   ....to be continued.