1. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN III. The Opposition to the Son of God (5:1–12:50) A. At The Feast In Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-47) B.During The Passover (Jn 6:1-71) C. During The Feast Of Tabernacles (Jn 7:1 – 10:21) D. During The Feast Of Dedication (Jn 10:22-42) E. Because Of The Death And Resurrection Of Lazarus (Jn 11:1-57)

2. 1. The Report of Lazarus’ Illness (11:1-16)1. The Report of Lazarus’ Illness (11:1-16) 2. The Return of Jesus to Bethany (11:17-37) a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv. 17-19)a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv. 17-19) b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv. 20-24)b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv. 20-24) c. Jesus Proclaims Himself (vv. 25-26)c. Jesus Proclaims Himself (vv. 25-26) d. Martha Responds to His Proclamation (vv. 27) e. Mary Meets Jesus (vv. 28-32)e. Mary Meets Jesus (vv. 28-32) f. Jesus Grieves with the People (vv. 33-37)

3.  Although we get many glimpses of Jesus’ compassion throughout the Gospels, His tender conversations with Mary and Martha are the most moving. ~ His words reveal patient pastoral concerns. ~ Jesus did not ridicule or belittle grief. ~ He affirmed our need for comfort by providing it to the sisters without hesitation.

4. a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv. 17-19)a. Jesus Arrives in Bethany (vv. 17-19)  Read Jn 11:17-19.  In v. 17, John makes special mention of this fourth day in order to stress the magnitude of the miracle.  Read Jn 11:18.  John carefully describes everything that contributes to the veracity of the story.  Read Jn 11:19. ~ This was their purpose; but God had another aim.

5. ~ God had meant all these people to be witnesses of the miracle. b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv. 20-24)b. Martha Meets Jesus (vv. 20-24)  Read Jn 11:20.  It seems that the Lord wished to talk to Martha, and that He desired to do this in the absence of the busy crowd.

6. ~ The beautiful correspondence between the Gospels is shown by the character-portraiture of the two sisters. ~ Compare with Lk 10:28-32~ Compare with Lk 10:28-32  Read Jn 11:21-22.  When Martha met Jesus, she repeated, in substance, what, in all probability, she had been saying so often during the illness of her brother.

7. ~ This remark must not be viewed as an expression of rebuke or resentment. ~ It is not the utterance of disappointment with Jesus. ~ We must look upon Martha’s words as the expression of poignant grief. ~ At the same time they are words of faith. ~ The implication for us is that we should not quickly assume that God has let us down when we are in the midst of difficulties.

8.  Read Jn 11:22 – has been taken by many to mean that Martha’s faith runs deeper yet. ~ But that is not quite what the text says (see vv. 23-24, 39). ~ Instead, she reaffirmed her trust in His power even though she thought Jesus had missed an opportunity to display it by healing her brother.

9.  Read Jn 11:23-24.  At this point, resurrection was only a future, abstract concept to Martha, a possible but not probable, immediate reality in Christ. ~ But at another level, Jesus did not mean an eventual, distant resurrection; He is promising more immediate resurrection for Lazarus.

10. ~ When Martha said, “Even now” in v. 22 she was opening a door of faith wider than she could have anticipated. ~ From the depth of her loss and sorrow she clung in faith to Jesus. ~ The eventual results were astonishing! ~ There is always enough time for Christ to act. We must continue to trust in Him.