1. Where was Jesus when told about Lazarus? He was at Bethabara, which was about a day’s journey away. By the time the messenger had arrived, Lazarus was already dead, so there was not a practical reason to rush to his side. From a spiritual perspective, God’s will could be accomplished by His waiting for two days before leaving.
2. Why did Jesus not go immediately to Lazarus? Lazarus would have been dead already, plus Jesus knew that He would resusitate Lazarus.
3. What was Thomas' character in this chapter? Thomas Didymus, Didymus meant twin, was a pessimist in this instance. He had great love in his heart but not much faith. He was willing to die, but he would not allow himself to simply believe.
4. What is physical death? What is spiritual death? Death means separation. Physical death is to be separated from the things of this world. It is to enter into eternity. Spiritual death, also called the second death by the Bible, is to be eternally separated from God.
5. What was Martha’s attitude when meeting Jesus? Martha had a funeral theology. She thought that God gives you what you ask. She thought that Lazarus would rise in the general resurrection, but this is not biblical. The saved will rise at the rapture, and the unsaved will rise at the end of the Millennium. She did not think that Lazarus could be raised by Jesus.
6. How did Jesus answer Martha? Jesus told her that He is the resurrection and the life. He told her that believing on Him gives the believer life, and she acknowledged that He is the Messiah.
7. Why did Jesus call Himself "The Resurrection and The Life?" The attitude of the world is that there is hope in life. Jesus wanted to show His deity and also that there is life and hope in death.
8. What was Mary's attitude when meeting Jesus? Mary fell at His feet and told Him that Lazarus would have lived had He arrived in time. She did not realize that He could resusitate her brother. She wept.
9. How did Jesus answer Mary? When Jesus saw her weeping, He groaned in His spirit and was very troubled.
10. Why did Jesus weep? Jesus might have wept because of Mary’s sorrow, because the Jews still did not believe on Him, because His disciples were still ignorant about Him, or because of the indecision of those who still would not accept Him.
11. From this chapter, what is learned about belief (faith)? Jesus wants us to grow from faith to more faith. We are to start with saving faith, move to doctrinal faith, to justifying faith, to a deeper life faith, to living by faith, and finally to having the gift of faith. Also, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Believing on Him gives one life even in death.
12. What were the different responses to the miracle? The Jews who were there were spies, so their hearts were hardened. The Jewish leaders were worried about losing their jobs if they could not control Jesus. From that day forth, they proactively plotted to kill Jesus.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 14 - Christ - The Center Of Attraction
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