Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

 John 12:1-8

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:7-8

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:1-8, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil as Judas protests this act of love.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus celebrates God's work - how Lazarus was raised from the dead (v1).  We should have hearts of gratitude towards God as He is always at work and as we grow more aware of God's hand, so will our hearts be increasingly filled with gratitude with what He has done.  Jesus responds in vv7-8 to Judas' protest of Mary's act of love by telling Judas to leave her be.  His response shares a glimpse of His pending death on the cross, and how love of God is the most important commandment (vs love others). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v3, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with an inordinate amount (one pound) of expensive ointment (nard) - clearly she is not concerned with the money she spent on the nard, but instead she is filled with love for her Lord and Savior as she takes it a step further and serves Jesus by wiping His feet with her hair.  In contrast (vv5-6), Judas does not see this as an act of love and selflessness to bring glory to God as He is consumed with self and greed as we learn that "he was a thief" and will betray Jesus.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid selfishness and greed.  Claim the promise that we can never be separated from God's love and that we should follow the example to love God and treasure Him as Mary did.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves me - You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory and I treasure You.  Thank You for the gift of my salvation and how You bless.  I am not deserving of such a gift and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

 John 11:45-57

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:49-52

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:45-57, where we reach the climax of the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus' moment for His arrest and crucifixion is near as we reach the beginning of Holy/Passion Week (chapter 12).  Yet as the Pharisees sought to arrest and kill Jesus, Jesus evades and "no longer walked openly among the Jews," instead going near the wilderness to Ephraim (v54).  Jesus has a plan and nothing is going to stop His plan.  Vv49-52 shows that Jesus has providence over all details - including the words of Caiaphas as God spoke through the high priest to prophesy that Jesus would die at their hands for His people (those who believe and followed Him) not just now across all redemptive history as His followers will be scattered all over the world.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Some of the Jews who had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection believed in Jesus (v45) while some went to the Pharisees to share what Jesus had done, knowing the Pharisees would use this as further evidence that they should arrest and kill Jesus (vv53, 57).  They were more concerned about their own status and power then they were with following Jesus who fulfilled prophecy as the Promised Messiah. V55 notes how the Jews focused on external cleansing/purification instead of cleansing of their heart which only Jesus can do.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): People should avoid focusing on their own efforts to be saved - being good is not something any of us can truly do - we are all sinful and broken and God alone cleanses our heart, gives us power over sin and makes us more like Him.  We should claim the promise that Jesus alone saves.  We should follow the example of Jesus who had a plan.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  I am not deserving of how You give me a heart of flesh, power over sin and eternal life.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

 John 11:38-44

And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” John 11:41-43

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:38-44, where we reach the climax of the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Just as I posted yesterday, as He came to Lazarus' tomb, Jesus was "deeply moved again," as He loved Lazarus and Martha and Mary - mourning with them and sympathizing with their grief.  Jesus challenges us in our unbelief - see vv39 when He tells the people with them to take away the stone [door] entrance to the tomb.  Martha responds with a concern about odor from the tomb. In v40, Jesus lays down the challenge as Martha experiences a momentary period of unbelief.  When the stone is removed, Jesus prays to God (vv41-42), specifically praising the Father for "always hear[ing him]," while acknowledging that the only reason He specifically offers this praise so that those present "may believe that [the Father] sent Him."  Jesus continues to seek and save the lost and His plan is designed for teachable moments where His glory is revealed so that people would be drawn to Him.  After He prays to the Father, He commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb (v43).  For non-believers this is seen as a crazy request yet for believers we must remember that Jesus has been granted all authority by God is He is able to do anything - nothing is impossible for Him.  See also Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25 where Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves and we see Jesus' providence over not just life and death but over creation. Upon Lazarus coming out of the tomb in v44, Jesus then commands those present to unbind Lazarus as his hands and feet were bound with linen strips (burial clothes).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v39, Martha experiences a momentary period of unbelief as she initially resists God's command to remove the stone entrance to the tomb.  Believers often are either led by God or read explicit text where He tells us to do something but we resist.  We find ways to rationalize our disobedience but we must clearly see our disobedience to God's commands and calls for our life.  Remember the story of Jonah where he resisted going to Nineveh?
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid resisting God's commands - this is disobedience.  We should claim the promise that nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves, and nothing will be impossible with You.  I am not deserving of how You save and how You provide the Holy Spirit to give us power.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer, and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled....Jesus wept.

John 11:28-37

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled....Jesus wept. John 11:33,35

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:28-37, where we continue the story of Lazarus, whom we know from the larger story arc is ill and dies, and that Jesus raises him from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: After learning of Lazarus' illness earlier in chapter 11, and then staying where He was for two more days, Jesus is now seen approaching the village where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived.  In response to Mary falling to Jesus' feet in grief over her brother's death (vv32), Jesus "was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled...[and He also] wept" (vv33,35).  Jesus sympathizes with us and our cares, concerns and worries.  Believers should understand that because Jesus took on flesh as the Incarnate Son of God, "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15-16).     
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v32, Mary reacts first in worship towards Jesus, as she falls to Jesus' feet.  Similar to her sister Martha (v21), Mary then expresses frustration towards Jesus as she believes that if Jesus had come earlier He would have healed Lazarus (v32) - this is frustration yes but also faith because Mary was definitive that "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."  The Jews in the village and with Mary and Martha consoled and loved them, and wept with them (vv31, 33) - this is a great example of how we are to love others (second greatest commandment).  Some of the Jews marveled at Jesus' love for Lazarus, while others questioned the extent of Jesus' authority and power as He recently healed the blind man (chapter 9), but He was not to keep Lazarus from dying (vv36-37).  There will always be people who doubt who Jesus is - but believers should never doubt that Jesus is God, and Lord and Savior - Creator and King of Kings - able to do anything (Colossians 1:15-17).    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not doubt Jesus and who He is.  Claim the promise that He saves, is able to do anything, loves us and sympathizes with us.  Follow the example of Mary who worshiped Jesus and saw Him as able to heal her brother.  Love others as the Jews consoled and wept with Mary and Martha.  Believe and have faith.        

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves, saves, and sympathizes with us.  Thank You Jesus for all that You do.  I am not deserving of how You bless and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

 John 11:17-27

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” John 11:21-22

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:17-27, where we continue the story of Lazarus, whom we know from the larger story arc is ill and dies, and that Jesus raises him from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God has a plan for everything and his design and plan is perfect.  Jesus knew that and allowed/planned for Lazarus to die (see vv4, 14), and that He would use Lazarus' resurrection from the dead as a means for others to believe in Him and to strengthen their believe in Him.  In v23, Jesus repeats - authoritatively - once more, that Lazarus will rise again. In vv25-26, Jesus shares that through Him there is resurrection and life (see also John 10:10).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Martha is seen as being frustrated with Jesus - v21 as she sees others who have come to console here (v18) but sees Jesus as being too late to heal Lazarus as he has died and was in the tomb already for four days (v17).  People are often frustrated with Jesus' timing after Martha and Mary had sent their request (not a prayer explicitly) for Jesus to intercede on their behalf to heal Lazarus.  Martha very quickly, however, in vv22, 24, and 27 pivots to a posture of trust and faith in Jesus.  When we have faith in God, He blesses us - we don't know how He will bless us but He does - see Matthew 5:6.  We must understand that God's thoughts and ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8) and that God works all things for good and for His purpose (Romans 8:28).   We exist to glorify God.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid frustration in God's timing as this is a form of a complaint.  We should claim the promise that Jesus gives us life now (abundantly or to the full) and for eternity - He saves.  We should follow the example of Martha who sees the err of her ways and quickly turns to Jesus - this can be seen as true repentance.  We should believe.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You work all things for good and for Your purpose.  Thank You Jesus for Your love and for revealing Yourself to me.  I am not deserving of how You love, bless, and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

 John 11:5-16

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” John 11:14-15

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:5-16, where we continue the story of Lazarus, whom we know from the larger story arc is ill and dies, and that Jesus raises him from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus loves His followers and here in v5 the text shares how Jesus loves Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  Yet in the very next verse we encounter what - from an earthly perspective - is not considered loving.  V6 shares that upon learning that Lazarus is ill, Jesus does not go to Lazarus but instead stays where he was for two more days.  At first glance, v5 and v6 seem incongruent - Jesus loves....it seems...but does he really is the question.  Jesus loves and seeks to save all and even when people doubt He seeks for us to have mercy on them as God might work through this to soften their hearts towards Him - see Jude 22-23.  However, we must understand that God's mercy is not unlimited in the sense that if you don't accept and believe in Him you are eternally condemned.  Text elsewhere - specifically in Malachi 3:6 help us see that God still loves Lazarus because once God loves someone (v5) He does not change.  Plus in John 10, based on text where Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd and His followers as sheep that He loves and cares for, we should not doubt that God loves Lazarus.  See also Romans 8:31-37. In vv7-10 we then see Jesus' exchange with the disciples after He shares that he wants to go to Judea and the disciples are concerned with His safety knowing that the Pharisees and others in Jewish leadership seek to arrest and kill Him.  Jesus response specifically in vv9-10 seems to encourage the disciples (and us) to see that they should be more concerned about not walking with Jesus (darkness and eternal condemnation) than going to Judea where there is no doubt that Jesus' life is at stake. The exchange with the disciples continues in vv11-15 where Jesus shares once again that Lazarus is not dead (see also v4) but asleep, and the disciples are confused.  Jesus clarifies in v14 by sharing that Lazarus is indeed dead, but by going back to v4 we can rest in Jesus' promise that Lazarus' illness will not lead to death. Vv14-15 are a reprise of v4 where Jesus shares that there is a purpose for Lazarus' illness and death and a purpose why Jesus was not present when Lazarus died.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Jesus' exchange with the disciples shows how people often don't understand Jesus' Word - yet this is not reason to stop believing nor is it a reason to stop engaging with Jesus.  Instead we must stick with it and ask Jesus to help us understand much like the father of the child with an unclean spirit in Mark 9:24 cries out to Jesus for help with his unbelief. See also post here and reference to Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with God. Thomas - not likely knowing what he was saying but instead guided by the Holy Spirit who gave him the words to say - seeks to share in the suffering of Lazarus much in the way that Jesus tells us that we share in the sufferings of Christ so that others can see Jesus (The Light) working through us. See also 1 Peter 4:13. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid walking away from God and His Word when you don't understand - instead dig in and continue to abide in Him and claim the promise that if you abide in Him you will bear fruit (John 15). Walk in the day - with Jesus who is the Light of the World.  Also claim the promise that if we share in His sufferings we will also share in His power as it works through us as Jesus grace is sufficient for us as when we are weak He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). Follow the example of Thomas on this one.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You are the Light of the World who is control and in everything...and You have already defeated sin and death....giving salvation to me and anyone who calls on You as Lord Savior.  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

 John 11:1-4

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4

I continue my study of John and today I focus on  John 11:1-4, where we see the beginning of the story of Lazarus, whom we know from the larger story arc is ill and dies, and that Jesus raises him from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In response to Mary and Martha seeking His help to heal - their brother - Lazarus who is ill (v3), Jesus shares that "[t]his illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (v4)[.]  Jesus is all knowing and His ways are perfect.  He knows that Lazarus will die but that He will raise Lazarus from the dead.  Since the Fall, when sin entered the world, as a result, we experience brokenness in many forms including sickness, pain, suffering, death, etc.  God is in control (Colossians 1:15-17) and this is all part of God's plan and He uses all of this for His purpose and glory (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  God wants us to bring our cares and concerns to Him - to cast our worries and cares at His feet (1 Peter 5:7).              
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We learn in v2 that Mary loves Jesus because she anointed Jesus' feet with expensive ointment (see also Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8).  None of us want to experience sickness, pain, suffering, death, etc., nor do we want any of our loved ones to experience these things.  So of course Mary and Martha naturally seek the help of Jesus because they have seen Him heal others and now they seek His help for their brother.        
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that Jesus knows everything about us, loves us, heals us (now or for eternity), and saves us.  Also claim the promise that God is in control, perfect and that all that we experience serves to bring Him glory - even brokenness.  Follow Mary and Martha's initial example to lay our cares and concerns at Jesus' feet. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God, Creator of all, in all, perfect in all ways, and You love us and want to save as many as possible.  Thank You Jesus for listening to our cries and for saving us.  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.