The Gospel of John: John 11.1-16

Read and meditate on John 11.1-16.
In these 16 verses, Jesus makes some important associations: death and glory, waking and sleeping, waiting and going, questioning and believing, day and night. These introduce what will transpire in Bethany, which itself sets the stage for everything that follows in John’s gospel. We need not merely to read these verses, but to live in them.

                  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.”
⁴When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick,
He said, “This sickness is not unto death,
but for the glory of the Lord instead,
and that the Son of God shall glory know
through it.” ⁵Now Jesus loved these women so,
and Lazarus as well. ⁶Yet He delayed
for two more days once He had heard, and stayed
beyond the Jordan. ⁷After this He said
to His disciples, “Let us go again
into Judea.” ⁸His disciples said,
“Lord, You know that the Jews there want You dead,
and are You going there again?” ⁹But He
replied, “You know that there can only be
twelve hours in any day. Whoever in
the daylight walks will stumble not, but in
it he will see the light of the world. ¹⁰But he
who walks at night will stumble; there will be
no light in him.” ¹¹These things He said, and then
He said to them, “This Lazarus our friend
is sleeping, but I go to him that I
may wake him.” ¹²His disciple answered, “Why?
If he is sleeping, he will get well.” ¹³But
the Lord spoke of his death, although they thought
that He was talking about resting. ¹⁴So
He told them plainly, “Friends, you need to know
that Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵And for your sakes
I’m glad I was not there, so that you may
believe in Me. But let us go to him.”
¹⁶Then Thomas, whom the others called the Twin,
said to the rest, “Let us go also, so
that we may die with Him.”

- John 11.1-16

Reflect
1. How was Jesus using the ideas of day and night and light and dark in these verses? Have we seen these ideas before in the Gospel of John? What does this have to do with how we conduct ourselves in our Personal Mission Fields each day? Complete this prayer: Lord, help me to remember that I am always on mission for You, so that I…

2.  How was Jesus using the ideas of sleep and being awakened in these passages? Have we seen this idea (“life”) before in John’s gospel? Why was it important that He should awaken Lazarus at just this time? How would this help His disciples to believe in Him? How does it help you? O Lord, let me always keep in mind, and eagerly look forward to, that day when…

3.  God can be glorified in even the saddest and most desperate of situations. And when He is glorified, those who know Him are strengthened in their faith. And the key to each of these – God’s glory and our believing – is keeping our eyes on Jesus. How can we do that more consistently? Has this notion of God being glorified been touched on before in John’s gospel? Lord, I would see You throughout the day, looking at You with the eye of my heart so that…

4.  Not even the prospect of death should keep us from following Jesus according to His Word. How can Christians encourage one another in this, like Thomas encouraged his fellow disciples? Why is it important that we do so? Use me today, Lord, to encourage…

5.  Review John 11.1-16. How many themes previously presented in John’s gospel are brought forward here? How much of what John has yet to relate is foreshadowed? Can you see why this story of Lazarus is a climactic moment in John’s story? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Among all the miracles done by our Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Lazarus holds a prime place in preaching. But if we consider attentively who did it, our duty is to rejoice rather than to wonder. A man was raised up by him who made humankind. He is the only one of the Father by whom, as you know, all things were made. And if all things were made by him, why is anyone amazed that one was raised by him when so many are daily brought into the world by his power? It is a greater deed to create men and women than to raise them again from the dead. Yet he decided both to create and to raise again; to create all, to resuscitate some.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Jesus did not fear the prospect of being put to death, because, as He was about to demonstrate, He is the Lord of life. Death holds no threat for those who live in the day, who have been awakened to new life in Jesus Christ, and who are determined to follow Him and live for His glory, even if it means death. How should knowing this embolden you as a witness for Jesus Christ?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

T. M. Moore

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.

Men, God is calling you to pray. Watch this brief video, then seek the Lord about joining our Men at Prayer movement.

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.