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.

Comment and discuss this post

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.  

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

John 10:1-6

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:3-5

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:1-6, Jesus continues to teach - here His focus is on His role between Himself (the Good Shepherd) and those who follow Him - His sheep.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus emphasizes His authority as He begins to teach, starting with "[t]ruly, truly."  He then starts to describe His role with those who follow Him - He is both the sheepfold door and the Good Shepherd (v1-3a) who serves as the only way to God - this is similarly described in John 14:6 where Jesus shares that "no one comes to the Father except through me."  One cannot be saved unless they believe in Jesus.  Matthew 7:13-14 also shares how this path to salvation through Jesus is a narrow gate - if we seek an easier path, either through the wide gate or by climbing in "by another way" as described in v1, one cannot be saved but instead will be eternally condemned. Followers of the Good Shepherd/Jesus know Jesus' voice (v3-4) - which implies that we seek Him and then listen to Him as He reveals Himself to us. Jesus knows His followers (He is Our Creator), He leads them (lamp onto our feet - Psalm 119:105), and they follow Him (v4). Jesus' followers are able to distinguish between Him and false gods who claim to be truth (v5).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Everyone is led by something/someone and from a spiritual perspective - they are led either through a wide gate that leads to destruction or through a narrow gate that leads to life to the full now and for eternity.  Those listening to Jesus (including His disciples but also others such as the Jews/Pharisees per v19), did not understand.  There is often text that we don't understand from scripture - this is why we need to continue to listen to Jesus (and His appointed messengers such as pastors) and it is OK to struggle/wrestle with God and ask Him to reveal Himself to us and bless us (Genesis 32:22-32 - see this post). 
• 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 seek the wide gate or to climb into the sheepfold by going around the door.  Do not follow strangers' voices or false gods - only Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus knows you, loves you, and leads you into green pastures (Psalm 23), cares for you, and ultimately saves you.  Follow the example of those who enter the sheepfold through Jesus-the narrow gate and door of the sheepfold. Follow Jesus out of the sheepfold - listen to Him by doing daily to scripture for His care and feeding.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are the narrow gate, the Way, Truth, and the Life.  I know that no one comes to You except through Jesus!  I know that Jesus knows me, loves me, and saves me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such 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 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 without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Genesis 25, 27, 30, and 32

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Jacob: Wrestling with the Past*".

*Title of lesson three from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado emphasizing that "God blesses us in spite of our lives and not because of our lives." God knows all about Jacob's past yet He still blesses him and gives Jacob a new name - a new name that is more symbolic of who Jacob is in God's eyes. Lucado then wants us to see how Jacob focused on knowing God's name (Genesis 32:29) and that with each encounter (or wrestling match) with God, Jacob's name for God evolved as he better understood God's character.  Ultimately, as Jacob gets older he sees God as his "shepherd" and "the Angel who has delivered [him] from all harm" (Genesis 48:15-16). 

For me, this morning, my takeaway is that we are encouraged to "wrestle" with Him - check out this awesome post at DesiringGod.com. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and whom I have seen and significantly encountered many times in my life and I am grateful for each and every encounter as my love for You as grown - I know You exist and You have blessed me in so many ways I cannot even list all of them here.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry and I have many other sins.  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. 

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.

Genesis 32

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Genesis 32:24-25

Day 287 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary* gives us a glimpse into the historical interlude (intertestamental) via the Apocrypha.  "Despite their current lack of credibility among a large segment of believers, these disputed writings [Apocrypha] are generally moral in nature and do give insight into some of the history, customs, and religious developments of the Jews during this intertestamental period." This post from DesiringGod.com argues "[w]e can read [the Apocrypha] discerningly yet constructively, critically yet charitably. Doing so will lead one to see the many ways it actually enhances our understanding of the divinely inspired Scriptures."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

This morning I pause to think about how best to study the Bible - I am led to "wrestle with God" just as Jacob did and as encouraged in this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - I know You love me and You are willing to wrestle with me during good and bad times - as I desire to be sustained by You, encouraged by You, and of course forgiven by You...all of which I know You can do as you have done already.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I worry and I have other sins.  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.

Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

John 3

Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? v11-12

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, comes to Jesus in the night (v1-2) to speak with Him.  God wants us to engage with Him questions of faith - including our doubts, questions, frustration, etc.  Jacob even wrestled with God (see also DesiringGod.com on this topic of wrestling with God).  However, at some point, we must just believe.  

John Piper posits that the story of Nicodemus emphasizes that our faith requires us to be born again - in other words we cannot be "alive to religion" but "dead to God", referencing Luke 9:59-60 to illustrate how one can be dead to God. 

We must recognize and believe in our heart that we all need a Savior, Jesus is that Savior, and that He died and rose to redeem us - faith then becomes a gift from God. 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  Romans 10:9-10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died and rose for me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a gift...I worry far too much!  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.

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes.

Mark 9

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes. v22-23

Many of us have been in places where we wanted to believe but we had doubts.  This is an OK place to be - God wants us to bring everything to Him, including our doubts as He can help us with these too.  We must understand that even God brings us to faith.  It is OK to ask Him in prayer to help us with our unbelief and faith.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me faith and grown my faith - and blee ssed me many times over - I am undeserving of such blessings.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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 servnde You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Mark 2

“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” v24

As Jesus spends time with sinners and continues with His ministry, the Pharisees continue to question Jesus' authority and His legitimacy - first regarding fasting (v18) then regarding working on the Sabbath (v24).  God does want us to engage with Him daily, and this includes bringing Him our questions and doubts.  Yet the Pharisees are not asking to deepen their understanding of Jesus, they are asking with a sense of righteousness and arrogance - denying Jesus entirely.

We all have doubts and questions regarding God - yet at some point we must come to the conclusion - that Jesus is real, He died for my sins, He loves me, and He desires to save me from the sting of sin and death.

God welcomes our questions and He is willing to wrestle with us...just as Jacob did.  Check this out from DesiringGod - Will You Wrestle With God. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has answered all of my prayers - not with what I have expected but You always hear and respond to my prayers - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I daily miss the mark.  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.