NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 48
J ohn 1 1
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although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6he stayed where he was for the next
two days. 7Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people* in
Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
9Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people
can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10But at night
there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11Then he said, “Our friend
Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
12The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13They thought
Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t
there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
16Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,* said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die
with Jesus.”
Jesus Comforts Mary and Martha (166)
17When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave
for four days. 18Bethany was only a few miles* down the road from Jerusalem, 19and
many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20When Martha
got word that J esus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house.
21Martha said to J
esus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.
22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
23Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24“Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
25Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.* Anyone who believes in me will
live, even after dying. 26Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.
Do you believe this, Martha?”
27“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of
11:8 Greek Jewish people; also in 11:19, 31, 33, 36, 45, 54. 11:16 Greek Thomas, who was called Didymus.
11:18 Greek was about 15 stadia [about 2.8 kilometers]. 11:25 Some manuscripts do not include and the life.
of love; he had a specific purpose in mind. God’s timing, especially his
delays, may make us think he is not answering or is not answering the
way we want. God’s best plan for us is sometimes painful. But he will meet
all our needs according to his perfect schedule and purpose (Philippians
4:19). Patiently await his timing.
11:9-10 “Daylight” symbolizes the knowledge of God’s will and reliance
on his guidance, and “night” represents the absence of this knowledge
combined with s elf-reliance. When we move ahead in darkness, we will
likely stumble.
11:14-15 If Jesus had been with Lazarus during the final moments of
Lazarus’s sickness, he might have healed him rather than let him die.
Mediterranean
Sea
N
GALILEE
SAMARIA
Jerusalem
Bethany
JUDEA
IDUMEA
Sea of
Galilee
Jordan River
JESUS RAISES
LAZARUS
Jesus had been
preaching in the
villages beyond the
Jordan, probably
in Perea, when he
received the news
of Lazarus’s sickness. Jesus did not
leave immediately
but waited two days
before returning
to Judea. He knew
Lazarus would
be dead when he
arrived in Bethany,
but he was going to
do a great miracle.
PE
RE
A
Dead
Sea
0
0
20 mi
20 km
11:8
John 8:59; 10:31
11:9
John 9:4
11:10
John 12:35
11:11
Dan 12:2
Matt 9:24; 27:52
Mark 5:39
Luke 8:52
Acts 7:60
1 Cor 11:30
11:16
Matt 10:3
John 14:5;
20:2428; 21:2
Acts 1:3
11:20
Luke 10:38-42
11:22
John 16:30
11:23-24
Dan 12:2
John 5:28-29
Acts 24:15
Phil 3:21
1 Thes 4:14
11:25
John 1:4; 3:36; 5:21;
6:39-40; 14:6
Col 1:18; 3:4
1 Jn 1:1-2; 5:10-11
Rev 1:17-18
11:26
John 8:51
11:27
Matt 16:16
John 6:14
But Lazarus died so that Jesus’ power over death could be shown to his
disciples and others. The raising of Lazarus was an essential display of
his power, and the resurrection from the dead is a crucial belief of the
Christian faith. Jesus would not only be raised from the dead (10:18)—he
also has the power to raise others.
11:16 We often remember Thomas as “the doubter” because he doubted
Jesus’ resurrection (20:25). But here he demonstrated love and courage.
The disciples knew the dangers of going with Jesus to Jerusalem, and
they tried to talk him out of it. Thomas merely expressed what all of
them were feeling. When their objections failed, they were willing to
go, even though dying with Jesus was a real possibility. They may not
have understood why Jesus would be killed, but they were loyal. Doing
God’s work has unknown dangers. Will you remain loyal to Jesus when
opposition increases?
11:16 Thomas was ready to do whatever it took to follow Jesus. Courage
often boils down to trusting Jesus and being ready to go wherever he calls.
Emotionally, the experience is much like the first time off a high dive or
the first public speech. The stakes may be high, but so are the benefits.
We don’t realize God’s power until we take the first step. Thomas was the
first to step out in faith. Sooner or later, you will have the opportunity to
take a step of courage. Your step may motivate others to take action as
well. Ask God for the courage you need.
11:25-26 Jesus has power over life and death as well as the power to
forgive sins. Because he created life (see 14:6), he can surely restore life.
Whoever believes in Jesus has a spiritual life that death cannot conquer
or diminish in any way. When we realize the power and the wonder of
his offer to us, how can we not commit our lives to him? To those who
believe, what wonderful assurance and certainty we have: “Since I live,
you also will live” (14:19).
11:27 We know Martha best for being too busy to sit down and talk with
Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). But here we see her as a woman of deep faith.
As she worked to offer hospitality to Jesus, she obviously also listened
to him and took his words to heart. Her statement of faith is exactly the
