JaM - 11-18-20 - Resurrection of Lazarus

A. Who were Lazarus, Mary, and ? 1. They were believers in Christ; not Apostles or full-time disciples, but friends of . Luke 10:38-42 2. Martha was apparently the older of the two sisters. 3. Show the intercultural influence of this period - Lazarus (Hebrew), Martha (Aramaic), and Mary (Greek) names. Their names were discovered on an ossuary inscription in a tomb near in 1873. 4. Story of Mary anointing Jesus - :1-8; Mark 14:3-9 5. How are they important witnesses to the gospel?

B. The Purpose in Lazarus’ sickness - 11:4-16 1. The purpose was for God’s and His own glorification. This is going to be a key event of His ministry. What is so significant about this event? 2. He lingered two days longer. Christ’s sovereign time-table is not subject to human desires. Likely at Bethany beyond the Jordan (10:40; 1:28). Exact location is not for certain. Some argue 20 miles others a location 100 miles away. 3. He learned through super-natural means apparently that Lazarus had died. 4. Is it doubting Thomas or courageous Thomas? (11:16)

C. The Grief of Mary and Martha - 11:17-33 1. We grieve differently. 2. Blaming is a part of grief. v. 21 3. Christ offers them hope in His person—“ the resurrection and the life . . .” v. 25-26 4. Eternal life is a present possession. 5. Jesus had compassion upon them. He was deeply moved at this scene (v. 33). This greek term has the connotation of “anger and snorting in animals.” He is positively upset or angry. What is He upset at? What does it mean that He was “greatly troubled,” which has the connotation of being “agitated or stirred up inside?” 6. Why did Jesus weep? Why did He “burst into tears?” 7. Death is an emotional experience for all involved.

D. The Resurrection of Lazarus 1. Christ was angry and emotional at the scene as He moved to the tomb. 2. v. 42 - You get the sense that Christ had something to prove to those around him listening. Remember the intense debate we have seen with the Jewish leaders in chapters 5-10. 3. What was so significant about this resurrection? What hope and promises do we take from this story?