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The Gospel of John: John 11.1-16
Read and meditate on John 11.1-3.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany had a special place in Jesus’ life. We do not know much about them, but it is possible they may have hosted Him on occasion, and supported His work in various ways. They understood that Jesus loved them as well.
1And not too far from there
in Bethany, the town of Mary and
her sister, Martha, there a certain man
named Lazarus was sick. 2(Now Mary, who
anointed Jesus’ head with oil, and who
His feet wiped with her hair, was sister to
the man who died.) 3Therefore they sent unto
Him saying, “Lord, he whom You love is sick.”
- John 11.1-3
Reflect
1. Meditate on Luke 10.38-42. Mary is mentioned first among the sisters, as if she were the first to come to mind. Why might this have been the case? Complete this prayer: Lord, help me to choose the better part every day, and to…
2. Read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16.19-30. This parable was spoken shortly before the events of John 11 (according to both the NKJV Harmony of the Gospels and the Harmony of the Gospels compiled by A. T. Robertson), perhaps even en route to Bethany. Do you suppose Jesus intended any connection between this parable and Lazarus whom He loved? Explain. Lord, You are always trying to teach us to see beyond this world to the world to come. Help me learn to do this, so that…
3. In verse 2, John points us ahead to John 12.1-7. Why do you suppose John “jumped the gun” on the story of Mary’s anointing Jesus, by mentioning it here? Is he trying to shape our thinking about Mary? And if so, in what way? And why? Mary gave her most precious possession to You, Lord; surely I can…
4. Bethany would have been not too far from where Jesus was staying on the east side of the Jordan. It’s clear that Mary and Martha knew His whereabouts, since they sent someone to advise Him of Lazarus’ sickness. What significance should we attach to the way they refer to their brother? Didn’t Jesus love everyone? Explain. Thank You for loving me, Lord. Help me to love You more, and to…
5. The parable of Lazarus may have been intended in some ways to foreshadow the resurrection of Jesus’ friend, as the resurrection of Lazarus was designed to foreshadow Jesus’ own rising from the dead. The name Lazarus is Hebrew and means “God is helper.” John is the only gospel writer to include this story, which occurred as Jesus was journeying toward Jerusalem for the final time. What does John want to say to us as we read this story? What affections is he trying to stimulate within our soul? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.
Summary
“‘His sisters sent a message to Jesus saying, Lord, the friend whom you love is sick.’ By these words they appeal to his affection, they lay claim to his friendship, they call on his love, urging their familiar relationship with him to persuade him to relieve their distress. But for Christ it was more important to conquer death than to cure disease. He showed his love for his friend not by healing him but by calling him back from the grave. Instead of a remedy for his illness, he offered him the glory of rising from the dead.” Peter Chrysologus (380-450 AD)
Jesus’ power and love are available to those who love and serve Him. How should this encourage us?
Closing Prayer
Those who trust in the LORD
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
Psalm 125.1-4
Psalm 125.1-4 (St. Gertrude: Onward, Christian Soldiers)
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Like the hills surrounding safe Jerusalem,
Christ surrounds His Church and holds her in His mighty Hand!
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
Wickedness shall rest not on this holy land;
Sinfulness shall never come forth from their hand.
Trusting in the Savior, firm in His caress,
Ever shall His favor on this holy city rest.
All who trust in Jesus, strong as Zion stand!
Naught shall ever move them from their promised land!
T. M. Moore
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We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.