Sleeping, Dead or Alive:

Context:

• Lazarus, of Bethany, was ill.
• Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, knowing that He loved Lazarus.

John 11:4 “...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...”

Did Jesus claim the illness was from a chance exposure to microorganisms?

Did Jesus claim the illness was a result of sin?

Did Jesus know what He was talking about?

• He was always connected to His Father.
• He identified the situation as an opportunity for God, and the Son of God, to be glorified.

How would you have responded to news of a dear friends illness?

How did Jesus respond (11:6,7)?

• “...He stayed two days longer in the place where He was...”
• “...Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again....”

Why didn’t the disciples want Him to go to Judea (11:8)?

• “...The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?...”
• They were concerned for His well being.

John 11:9-10 “...Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him...”

What is the light of this world?

• Jewish literature was generous with the title “light of the world,” applying it to Israel, Jerusalem, the patriarchs, the Messiah, God, famous rabbis and the law; but always it refers to something of ultimate significance.
• John 1:4 “...In him was life, and the life was the light of men...”
• Jesus is obviously the light of the world.  Without Him there is darkness.

What prevents a person from stumbling?

• Walking in the day.
• Seeing the light of this world.
• Walking in the truth that Jesus illuminates - and is.

John 11:11-16 “...After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 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.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him...”

Was Lazarus sleeping, dead, or alive?

• Lazarus had died.
• Jesus told them plainly that he had died.

What did Thomas hear, and what was his response?

• Lazarus is died.
• Jesus said let us go to him.
• Thomas was ready to go and die also.

What was the short term reason for the situation?

• “...that you may believe...” 
• The disciples were going to witness the power of Jesus over the grave.

What was the long term reason for the situation?

• The disciples would one day lay down their lives, believing in the power of Jesus over the grave.