Bible Study - Signs (7) - The Sign of HIS Power Over Death - John 11:1-57 - April 13, 2025 - Excellent

Bible Study – Signs (7) – The Sign of HIS Power Over Death – April 13, 2025

JESUS offers us the hope of a new life.

Our focus scripture is John 11:25-27;38-44.

Blessings to all as you read and study – EASTER is coming!!!

Let’s read John 11:1-57.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus where good friends of JESUS.

JESUS and HIS disciples were in Perea which is East of Jericho and Jericho is an 8 hour walk from Jerusalem. We guess between 8-12 hours to travel the distance on foot.

A messenger sent in the morning to get JESUS could travel two days. JESUS waited two days before HE left to go to Bethany. Lazarus died while the messenger was enroute. JESUS knew Lazarus was dead before HE left to go to Martha and Mary.

Lazarus Dies at Bethany

11 Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. ³ So the sisters sent a message to him: “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

⁴ When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he (JESUS) heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. ⁷ Then after that, he said to the disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

Keep in mind that JESUS only did what HIS FATHER told HIM to do or showed HIM to do.

JESUS had been involved in the resurrection of those who had died during HIS ministry. But this time it was JESUS’ friend whom HE loved. A huge temptation to speak and not hurry. NO! JESUS trusted GOD, HIS FATHER with what to do.

So, why did JESUS wait? GOD told HIM to wait because it was going to be used to reveal the power of GOD flowing through JESUS. This would be the first resurrection of a person dead long enough to start decaying.

It would confirm the resurrection of all people, redeemed and the unredeemed to face judgement. Those who have been “born-again” will received rewards at judgement and those who have not been “born-again” will be judged.

I don’t know about you, but I want to know on this side of eternity, my eternal destination and that is placing my faith in JESUS and being “Born-again.”

⁸ “Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”

This was another reason to discourage JESUS not to go. Often, Satan places obstacles in our path as we journey, according to GOD’S plan. JESUS had a decision to make, and HE did ----

⁹ “Aren’t there twelve hours in a day?” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. ¹⁰ But if anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him.

That is why JESUS is the light of the world, so are those who have been “Spirit-born” also the light to those in darkness.

¹¹ He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.”

¹² Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.” That was a good assumption, or was it?

¹³ Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep. ¹⁴ So Jesus then told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. ¹⁵ I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.”

JESUS had to make sure HIS disciples knew that Lazarus was physically dead.

It was time for JESUS to reveal HIS purpose for coming to earth for all and to give opportunity to all people to place their faith in HIM. We who have been “Born-again” are also the light of the world to those in darkness.

You may recall last week’s study regarding the word “filial.”:

In studying for last week’s study, I came across the word “filial” in reference to JESUS and GOD, JESUS’ FATHER. The definition of “filial - is “Filial comes from Latin filius, meaning "son," and filia, "daughter"; in English, it applies to any gender. The word has long carried the dutiful sense "owed to a parent by a child," as found in phrases as "filial respect" and "filial piety."

Thus, JESUS and GOD are in lock step with each other and trust each other completely. When JESUS gave up HIS human life, HE had to trust GOD, HIS FATHER to give HIM eternal life.

JESUS said it best as recorded in John 14:8-28:

Jesus Reveals the Father – focus on verse 9 ---

⁸ “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe^[d] because of the works themselves.

Even today, we are to look around and see the Handiwork of the One True GOD. Yes, there is GOD and HE sent HIS Only SON, JESUS to establish and fulfill HIS eternal redemptive plan.

Praying in Jesus’ Name

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me^[e] anything in my name, I will do it.^[f]

Once we are “born-again” we are to focus on what GOD is doing around us and when we see GOD at work, that is our invitation to join HIM in that work. GOD desires for HIS “Born-again”/ “Spirit-born” Children to have the faith to join HIM as The Holy Spirit reveals where HE is working.

Another Counselor Promised (THE HOLY SPIRIT)

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep^[g] my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^[h] to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him because he remains with you and will be^[I] in you.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (The HOLY TRINITY, THREE IN ONE) reside in the person who has been “Born-again.”

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him/her.”

²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

JESUS trusted HIS FATHER completely and waited until GOD told HIM it was time for HIM and HIS disciples to go to Bethany and resurrect Lazarus from the physically dead.

¹⁶ Then Thomas (called “Twin”^[a]) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go too so that we may die with him.” (When we explore, we build a solid foundation.)

The Resurrection and the Life

¹⁷ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles^[b] away). ¹⁹ Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

(Jewish tradition and teaching were that a dead person’s spirit remains over the body for a period of three days after death and then departs. Thus, JESUS waited until the fourth day to resurrect Lazarus from the physically dead.)

²⁰ As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. ²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. ²² Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

²³ “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

²⁴ Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.”

This is the question all people must answer. Is JESUS the true Messiah, WHO takes away all our sin the instant we place our faith in HIM and HIS passion – life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and intercedes for us before GOD HIS FATHER and our FATHER.

Jesus Shares the Sorrow of Death

²⁸ Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

²⁹ As soon as Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.

³² As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”

³³ When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved^[c] in his spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept.

³⁶ So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” ³⁷ But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?”

Oh, YES!!! The best is about to take place in their presence!

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

³⁸ Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. ³⁹ “Remove the stone,” Jesus said.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.”

⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

⁴¹ So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. ⁴² I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” ⁴³ After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”

Yes!!! JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL WHO PLACE THEIR FAITH IN HIM AND HIS DEATH BY THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD WHICH PAID FOR ALL OF THE SINS COMPLETELY FOR ALL WHO PLACE THEIR FAITH IN JESUS.

THE MIRACLE OF ALL WHO ASK JESUS TO FORGIVE HIM/HER FOR THEIR SINS AND FOR JESUS TO COME INTO THEIR HEART WILL BE FORGIVEN AND EXPERIENCE THE MIRACLE OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH AND BECOME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, what do those who are “born-again” do while they wait?

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making HIS appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

As GOD’S Ambassadors for CHRIST, all who have been “Spirit-born” have jobs to complete, as led by the in dwelling Holy Spirit, while we remain upon earth.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

⁴⁵ Therefore, many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what he (JESUS) did believed in him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

Oh my, potential trouble in Jerusalem City. But GOD had a plan!!! HIS plan was put into place by those who saw JESUS as a threat to them. GOD knew the hearts of those who wanted to protect their positions in life and what it would take for them to put into action HIS redemptive plan which required the physical death of JESUS.

⁴⁷ So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and were saying, “What are we going to do since this man is doing many signs? ⁴⁸ If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

When the focus of worship changes, many other things are impacted, because often, there is a redistribution of power and authority.

⁴⁹ One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ⁵⁰ You’re not considering that it is to your^[d] advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” ⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, ⁵² and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. ⁵³ So from that day on they plotted to kill him.

GOD’S redemptive plan was set into motion for JESUS to fulfill the Law and establish forgiveness and GRACE!

⁵⁴ Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews but departed from there to the countryside near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and he stayed there with the disciples.

Was JESUS in hiding? NO!! HE was waiting for HIS FATHER, GOD, to open the door for HIM to go forward with GOD’S redemptive plan. JESUS was the plan, which would take place when the Jews celebrated “PASSOVER!” Only GOD can orchestrate such an appointed Plan.

⁵⁵ Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many went up to Jerusalem from the country to purify themselves before the Passover. ⁵⁶ They were looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? He won’t come to the festival, will he?” ⁵⁷ The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it so that they could arrest him.

GOD’S redemptive plan was moving forward with great speed. Time was of the essence.

Isn’t it exciting to see GOD’S redemptive plan unfold. JESUS was the only ONE WHO could fulfill GOD’S plan.

In the early days of my Spiritual development, I asked GOD, “Why cannot I give my life for my own sins?” I got a quick response. “You do not qualify because I required a perfect sinless sacrifice, and you do not qualify. But whereas, since you do not qualify, MY sinless SON, JESUS does.” “HE Gave HIS life for you and all who will place their faith in HIM.”

Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your heart. The Holy Spirit will be in you and be your teacher, and guide. Experience the miracle of Spiritual birth.

Spiritual birth is only step one in your journey to build your right relationship with GOD, through faith in JESUS. The Holy Spirit is within you and is your guide, teacher, revealer, and so much more.

The Jews were celebrating Passover when GOD released them from slavery in Egypt. Only GOD could bring all the vital redemptive issues together to set into motion, accomplish and conclude HIS redemptive plan through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of JESUS, during the celebration of Passover. Passover celebrated the release of the Israelites from their physical bondage in Egypt. I believe slavery was GOD’S way of preserving the Jewish Nation as they grew into a nation. GOD introduced Himself to the Israelites to and through Moses. GOD led them to Mt. Sinai where GOD gave the Israelites the Law through Moses.

The Law was a placeholder until GOD’S redemptive plan of faith in JESUS was fulfilled. JESUS, WHO fulfilled the LAW, gave HIS Sinless Life by the shedding of HIS blood, for all who place their faith in HIM and established “Grace.”

This made ready for the human body to be the temple for the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and since for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6: ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

To GOD and JESUS be The Glory – Blessings!!!