Teen Life Application Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 19
JOHN 11
to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is
very sick.”
4
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of
God will receive glory from this.” 5So although
RIGHT ON TIME
(11:5-7) Although Jesus knew that Lazarus was dying,
he didn’t rush over to help, as Mary and Martha had
requested. Jesus’ delay had a specific purpose—one that
Mary and Martha didn’t understand. Likewise, God’s timing, especially his delays, may make us think he plans to
ignore us or that he won’t answer the way we want. But
he will meet all of our needs (see Phil 4:19) according to
his perfect schedule and purpose. Like David, can you
say “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me”? If so, like
David, you might also say, “He turned to me and heard
my cry” (Ps 40:1).
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Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6he
stayed where he was for the next two days.
7
Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back
to Judea.”
8
But 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?”
9
Jesus 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.”
11:8 Greek Jewish people; also in 11:19, 31, 33, 36, 45, 54.
I WONDER . . .
Bad things seem to happen all the time.
Does God care about what is happening
in the world?
Bad things happen; so do tragedies. At some time in
life everyone will experience both of these. Let’s cover
them one at a time.
The guy who flunks a math test had something
bad happen to him. Did he learn that it is important
to keep up with assignments and study before a test?
Hopefully.
A 10-year-old boy races out from behind a parked
car and is almost hit by a driver. He is scared to death,
realizing that he could have been killed! Did he learn
a lesson about not darting into the street? He better
have; he may not get another chance!
In each case the person probably was not happy
about what happened. But each situation in life, good
or bad, can be a learning experience.
Does God care that we learn important lessons
about studying and safety? He cares very much!
Ask your folks about the five worst things that have
happened to them. Next, ask what they learned from
these bad experiences. Then, ask them if they were
thankful that these occurred.
Going through tough times is bad only when you
don’t learn something when it’s over.
Now let’s discuss tragedy.
Unfortunately, no one is immune from what we
believe is the ultimate tragedy—death. Even Jesus
went through the loss of someone he loved (see John
11). It is the timing of death (especially when someone dies young), and how it occurs (like an innocent
victim killed by a drunk driver), that makes us wonder
if God really cares.
So, why are evil and death allowed in the world?
Ages ago, after losing a war with the angels of God,
a group of fallen angels led by Satan left heaven (see
Jude 1:6) and made earth their kingdom. They still
exist and have only one purpose, to destroy. Their evil
contrasts God’s love and mercy. But even though God
made people to be with him, he still allows people
the freedom to choose between good and evil.
As a result of believing the lie of Satan, Adam and
Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and were
separated from him. (You know the story.) This incident also set in motion a new cycle of mortality: All
people are born “spiritually dead” and die a bodily
death.
Jesus’ angry words to the Pharisees in John 8:44
describe the result of spiritual death: “You are the
children of your father the devil, and you love to do
the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the
beginning. He has always hated the truth, because
there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father
of lies.”
God knows that spiritual death is far worse than
physical death. That’s why he focused his attention
on taking care of the real penalty for our sin—spiritual
death (see Rom 6:23)! God also knows how tragedy
can point us to him and his purposes: “We know that
God causes everything to work together for the good
of those who love God and are called according to his
purpose for them” (Rom 8:28).
But there’s good news: Jesus’ death on the cross
provides the antidote for spiritual death. Although we
all will die eventually, a second life—eternal life—will
begin.
So, although evil and death continue, God can
use any situation for good. He loves you and wants
to work out his purposes in your life.
