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.

Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

 Mark 1:35-45

Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mark 1:45b

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:35-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  My observations from the text using the Sword Bible study method:

• What do we learn about God: Prayer is a priority as v35 shares that the very first thing Jesus does once He rises "very early in the morning, while it was still dark," is prayer.  Jesus also prayed by Himself.  While corporate and group prayer with our brothers and sisters in Christ is encouraged, Jesus seeks for us to avoid praying like the hypocrites who seek to be seen by others as "religious" - see Matthew 6:5-7.  Teaching God's Word is a priority - see v38 where Jesus shares that "this is why I came out."  He taught throughout Galilee (v39).  Compassion, and love and service for others was also a priority as Jesus continued to both physically and spiritually heal those who came to Him - see vv39-42 (see also Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45).  Jesus demonstrated both compassion and understanding of the Old Testament laws that specified only the priests could "pronounce" a leper clean and able to rejoin his community after periods of isolation (see Leviticus 13). Isolation is not good for man and we are designed for community and one another - vv43-44.  
• What do we need to obey: Jesus seeks for us to pray - as prayer is how we communicate with God and demonstrate our utter dependence on Him.  We claim the promise that prayer is powerful - James 5:16-18. As already mentioned we must follow Jesus' example of prayer. We also must teach the Good News according to our roles - this includes parents and heads of households.  
• What do we learn about people: People need Jesus as He promises healing, both physically and spiritually.  We must acknowledge that while our physical healing may not occur now, believers know in Heaven all will be healed - see Revelation 21:4.  The need for Jesus is desperate as v45 mentions that even in "desolate places...people were coming to [Jesus] from every quarter."    

Mark 1:45 stands out this morning as I reflect and attempt to more fully understand where Jesus was in these desolate places and the people He encountered.  This article from DesiringGod.com shares an insight how Jesus swaps roles as the leper rejoins his community while Jesus enters desolation.  Jesus loves us so much that He takes on our sin and shame - to the point of death on the cross. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion for me - taking on my sin and shame and giving me life to the full now and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  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.  

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16

I am taking a short pause on my study of Isaiah to listen to John Piper's devotional for today that focuses on Jesus' intentional steps to Calvary - as He loved us with each step (and still does). Jesus could have stopped His death on the cross at any moment (as Piper references in Matthew 26:52-54), but He knew that His Father sent Him to fulfill scripture and part of the plan was for Him to die on the cross...and for Him to rise from the dead three days later. Jesus' obedience was not just an act of love for the Father but also an act of love for each one of us who can experience freedom the sting of sin and death. 

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My Prayer: Jesus, I know You love me because You died for me...You also never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love.  My sin is great and it is 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.