I Am the Resurrection and the Life
John 11:1- 44
Key Verse 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
The account of the raising of Lazarus is the climactic sign in the gospel of John. Each of Jesus' seven signs illustrates some particular aspect of his divine authority, but this one exemplifies his power over the last and most irresistible enemy of humanity--death.
1. Read verses 1-4. Who was sick and where was he from? (1) What was the relationship between Jesus and three siblings? (2,5) What was the message the sisters send to Jesus? (3) How did Jesus respond to the news? (4) What outcome did Jesus envision from this sickness?
Read verses 1-4.
ANSWER
1 “Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.” 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Who was sick and where was he from? (1)
ANSWER
“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”
Lazarus. He was from Bethany. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem. (v.18) A village on the eastern downslope of the Mount of Olives.
What was the relationship between Jesus and three siblings? (2,5)
ANSWER
2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
The members of this family were among the few intimate friends of our Lord. He spent time with them, and showed them marks of special friendship (Luke 10:38-42) and they bestowed upon him peculiar proof of affection in return.
What was the message the sisters send to Jesus? (3)
ANSWER
3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
* They do not state their request. Where there is a true bond of love, there is no need to request a favor; it is enough to make the need known.
How did Jesus respond to the news? (4)
ANSWER
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
He gave assurance to the disciples that Lazarus's illness would not terminate in death, and stated that Lazarus's illness would be an important aspect of his own glorification.
What outcome did Jesus envision from this sickness?
ANSWER
Lazarus might have already been dead when Jesus said this; but He knew the end result of this would be the glory of God and the glory of the Son, not death.
2. Read verses 5-10. How is Jesus’ love different from others? (5-6) How did Jesus’ disciples respond to Jesus’ words in verse 7? (8) What does it mean by ‘twelve hours of daylight’, ‘day’, ‘night’ ‘walk’ and ‘stumble’? (9-10)
Read verses 5-10.
ANSWER
5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 7 Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”
How is Jesus’ love different from others? (5-6)
ANSWER
5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, but he deliberately stayed where he was two more days. His action may have appeared to the disciples, and almost certainly to the sisters, as unfeeling and selfish. Since he had the power to heal Lazarus, why should he not reply instantly? It was because Jesus wanted to plant the resurrection faith in them.
How did Jesus’ disciples respond to Jesus’ words in verse 7? (8)
ANSWER
8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”
Jesus’ proposal to the disciples that they should return to Judea was not welcomed with enthusiasm. They remembered the previous conflicts with the rulers and feared for Jesus' life, and possibly for their own as well.
What does it mean by ‘twelve hours of daylight’, ‘day’, ‘night’ ‘walk’ and ‘stumble’? (9-10)
ANSWER
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”
Jesus makes it clear that He still has work to do. He was acting in accord with the purpose of performing the work the Father had committed to him.
* Twelve hours of daylight : The time allotted by the Father for Jesus’ earthly ministry.
The Jews divided the day, from sun-rising to sun-setting, into twelve equal parts;
* Jesus alludes to the case of a traveler, who has to walk the whole day: the day points out the time of life-the night that of death. Life is the time to fulfill the will of God, and to prepare for glory.
* Jesus is the light of the world; he that walks in Jesus’ Spirit, and by his direction, cannot stumble-cannot fall into sin, nor be surprised by an unexpected death. But he who walks in the night, in the darkness of his own heart, and according to the maxims of this dark world, he stumbles-falls into sin, and at last falls into hell.
3. Read verses 11-16. How did Jesus view Lazarus’ death? (11) Why was he glad he was not with Lazarus? (15) What did Thomas say and what does it show about him? (16)
Read verses 11-16.
ANSWER
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
How did Jesus view Lazarus’ death? (11)
ANSWER
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
* Falling asleep. It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep-sleeping with their fathers, etc., were in great use among them.
Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. Since the coming of Christ the death of a believer is regularly called a sleep (cf. Acts 7:60; 1 Cor 15:20; 1 Thess 4:13-18). Dead Christians are asleep not in the sense of an unconscious "soul sleep," but in the sense that their bodies appear to be sleeping.
Why was he glad he was not with Lazarus? (15)
ANSWER
15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
* Jesus considered this an opportunity for a supreme demonstration of power that would certify the Father's accreditation of him as the Son and confirm the faith of the sisters and the disciples. He was certain of the outcome.
What did Thomas say and what does it show about him? (16)
ANSWER
16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
* The name Thomas means "twin" in the Aramaic language; the Greek equivalent is Didymus. There are times when all of us seem to be his twin when we consider our unbelief and depressed feelings! Thomas thought he was going to die with Jesus in Jerusalem. Still, he was ready to follow Jesus. His loyalty is remarkable. But without resurrection faith he was useless
4. Read verses 17-24. What was the situation Jesus found when he arrived at Bethany? (17-19) What does Martha’s greeting show about her disappointment and confidence? (21-22) How did Martha respond to Jesus’ word in verse 23? (24)
Read verses 17-24.
ANSWER
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
What was the situation Jesus found when he arrived at Bethany? (17-19)
ANSWER
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
* Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
* Jesus did this in light of the Jewish superstition of that day that said a soul stays near the grave for three days, hoping to return to the body. Therefore, it was accepted that after four days there was absolutely no hope of resuscitation.
What does Martha’s greeting show about her disappointment and confidence? (21-22)
ANSWER
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
* Martha was disappointed that Jesus had not responded to the first news of Lazarus's illness, but that did not lead her to break her relationship with him. Despite her remorse, she was confident that God would grant Jesus' desire in this matter
How did Martha respond to Jesus’ word in verse 23? (24)
ANSWER
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
* The common belief of Judaism in this period was that the dead would be raised bodily at the end. Martha interpreted Jesus' promise that her brother would rise again in terms of the expectation of a general resurrection at the last day (the Day of Judgment). She may have taken his words as a conventional expression of comfort.
5. Read verses 25-26. What did Jesus reveal about himself? (25a) What happens to those who believe in Jesus? (25b-26a) How can we experience the resurrection and the life? (26b)
Read verses 25-26.
ANSWER
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
What did Jesus reveal about himself? (25a)
ANSWER
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life
* I am the resurrection and the life. This is the fifth of Jesus' great "I am" revelations. The Resurrection and the Life of the new Age is present right now because Jesus is the Lord of life (1:4). ‘The whole power to impart, maintain, and restore life, resides in Me.' What higher claim to supreme divinity than this grand saying can be conceived?
What happens to those who believe in Jesus? (25b-26a)
ANSWER
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
* The one who believes in Christ has eternal life that transcends physical death. Those who live and believe will never die but will make an instant transition from the old life to the new life. The end of physical life is only a sleep for his body until the resurrection unto life. At death the spiritual part of a believer, his soul, goes to be with the Lord (cf. 2 Cor 5:6,8; Phil 1:23).
How can we experience the resurrection and the life? (26b)
ANSWER
“Do you believe this?”
* Jesus challenges Martha not to debate or intellectual assent, but to belief.
Put your faith in Jesus’ words (particularly in his statement ‘I am the resurrection and the life’), then you will be able to experience the resurrection and the life.
6. Read verses 27-44. How are the thoughts of Mary similar to those of the Jews? (32,37) Why was Jesus so troubled and why did he weep? (33) What did he say when he came to the tomb? (39,40) Why did he look up to the Father and pray? (41-42) In what respect was God’s glory revealed?
Read verses 27-44.
ANSWER
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 28 And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
How are the thoughts of Mary similar to those of the Jews? (32,37)
ANSWER
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
* Mary didn’t expect Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. People wondered why Jesus had not prevented Lazarus’ death by one of his miracles. They might have been thinking “Jesus is weeping because He was unable to do anything. They are tears of deep regret.”
Why was Jesus so troubled and why did he weep? (33)
ANSWER
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
* Jesus’ feeling is expressed by three words: ‘deeply moved’, ‘troubled’, and ‘wept’.
* The first of these connotes anger.- Jesus was expressing his resentment against the ravages of death that had entered the human world because of sin.
* The second word expresses agitation. That is, Jesus was not apathetic or unnerved by the prevailing mood of sorrow. Lazarus had been a beloved friend, and Jesus shared in the common feeling of grief over his death.
* The most tender personal friendship is not inconsistent with the most pure religion. It is right, it is natural, it is indispensable for the Christian to sympathize with others in their afflictions. (Ro 12:15)
* We have here an instance of the tenderness of the character of Jesus, The same Savior wept over Jerusalem, and felt deeply for poor dying, sinners.
What did he say when he came to the tomb? (39,40)
ANSWER
39 “Take away the stone,” he said. But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
* “Take away the stone”, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
* Everybody thought this was a strange thing for Jesus to ask. In any case, the condition of the body provides an irrefutable confirmation of Lazarus' dead state.
* Martha's protest was natural, for it would seem improper to expose a decaying corpse. Such an act would demonstrate her faith and remove her uncertainty and hesitancy so that the glory of God might be revealed to her and all present.
Why did he look up to the Father and pray? (41-42)
ANSWER
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
* The glory of God. The power and goodness displayed in the resurrection.
This occasion was a remarkable demonstration of that authority. The creative power of God reversed the process of corruption and quickened the corpse into life. Jesus ordered that Lazarus be released from the wrappings and returned to normal life. It was a supreme demonstration of the power of eternal life that triumphed over death, corruption, and hopelessness.
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