Christian Living
Introduction
Welcome to a brand new series on my blog. I am starting a personal study on John chapter 11. When I opened my Bible this morning, I almost yelled ‘Oh no! not Lazarus again’. But it wasn’t too long after I began reading that it became clear that this story actually does have some interesting points I’d like to learn for myself and share with others.
A few years back, I published an article on Lazarus; https://graceobomanu.com/there-is-a-lazarus-at-your-gate/, so I wasn’t in a hurry to do another. Truth is, we should never really get too familiar with any scripture, because from my little Bible study, new revelations can still flow from John 3:16.
For this study, I’ll be adopting a step-by-by approach, glean one verse of John 11 after the other, well, until I see no further insights from each of them. So, if you are ready, let’s go…..
John Chapter 11: Verses 1 to 3
“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
John 11:1-3 NKJVhttps://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.11.1-3.NKJV
Isn’t it interesting how John provides detailed and clear information on Lazarus’ family? From the way John says it, and reading subsequent verses, Jesus too had a full dossier on this family. Lazarus was of Bethany and he was carefully linked to his 2 sisters who themselves were identified by their names. Obviously, Mary left an indelible mark on Jesus and his Apostles (for good). John describes her as ‘that Mary (specific) who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair‘. So, without doubt, Mary rendered an unusual service with a lasting impression.
Interesting also that Jesus didn’t just know this family, He undeniably had a close relationship with each family member. And if Mary & Martha thoughtfully identifies Lazarus ‘as the one whom Jesus loves’, then Jesus explicitly showed some favoritism towards Lazarus. {Question is; why}. Also of note from these verses is the audacity and boldness with which the 2 sisters sent for Jesus, they desperately wanted to catch Jesus’ attention before Lazarus got worse. This again buttresses an existing deep relationship between the family and Jesus. It shows a respect and confidence in the abilities of Jesus (to make Lazarus feel well), and it reveals an assurance that because Jesus loves Lazarus, both Lazarus and his sisters could have a better deal.
Truths from John 11: 1-3
Truth #1
God has a dossier on us, with every tiny detail in it. Even before we were born, He knew us, He formed us, He purposed us, and He is still on our case (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:14).
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
Psalms 139:14 NKJV
“...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”
II Timothy 1:9 NKJV
“who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”
II Timothy 1:9 NKJV
Truth #2
We entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ from the very first day we gave our lives to Him. In fact, unlike Lazarus and his sisters, we have a better relationship with Jesus. We are members of God’s family with Jesus as the firstborn. Oh, halleluyah! Jesus is our Big brother.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God….. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Romans 8:14-17 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.8.14-17.NKJV
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.“
Colossians 1:15 NKJV
Truth #3
3. God knows us, and He knows us by name. He knows everyone of us by name. Halleluyah! Even the hairs on our heads have numbers.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7 NKJV
Truth #4
Jesus already prioritized our matter above everything else. He made it high priority enough to lay down His life for us. There is no higher show of care, love or commitment.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
John 15:13 NKJV
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.5.8.NKJV
Truth #5
5. We can catch Jesus’ attention anytime, actually, His attention is constantly on us (daytime and nighttime). In fact, God now lives in us; we are identified as belonging to God because His Spirit is in us.
“Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
Psalms 121:4 NKJV
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
Romans 8:9 NKJV
Truth #6
6. Our sacrifices and service (of time, skill, talent, gifts, etc) make an impression on God, that endears us even more to Him. He knows that the labourer is worthy of wages.
“And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.”
Luke 10:7 NKJV
Oh! Thank You Lord! Your Word is life, it brings light. There’s hope and strength in Your Word. Thank You Lord❤.
