John - Week 35

Thank You for Hearing Me 

READ 

John 11:40-42 

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 

This passage reveals that Jesus was doing something for the sake of those watching. No doubt they would also pass it on to others. Jesus did not doubt what He was able to do or whether or not His father heard Him when He prayed. For the sake of others, however, His purpose was that “they will believe in me.” This shows that sometimes when God works to do something through an individual it is for the sake of others. 

REFLECT 

What has God done in your life lately? Is it possible that what He did was for the purpose of drawing others to Himself through you? Others cannot personally see Jesus, but they can view Him by seeing Him revealed in your life.  

RESPOND 

Read Joshua 4:1-7 to see what God instructed as a possible lesson to future generations. Look around your home, what do you have that would cause a visitor or future generations to know you are a Christ-follower? If nothing, consider what you can do to remedy the situation. Your desire should be that those who know about you would also know about Jesus. 

Lazarus Come Out 

READ 

John 11:43-44 

43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” 

What a shock the appearance of Lazarus must have been to the people gathered there! What joy Mary and Martha must have experienced to suddenly and unexpectantly see their dear brother! They expected to see him in the future resurrection, but not now. Even though they had all kinds of confidence in Jesus, this was a total surprise. 

REFLECT 

Has God sometimes surprised you with what He has done for you? Not as major as bringing a loved one back from the dead, but providing for you in a totally unexpected way. What is an example? Share this with a friend. 

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 1:3-8 to be reminded of all the riches you have in Christ. Tell others about the bountiful blessings every Christ-follower has. 

Reactions to Resurrection 

READ 

John 11:45-46 

45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 

As usual, when Lazarus was brought back to life there was both a positive and negative response. Many believed because of the miracle; others thought they should let the religious leaders know about it. This latter group knew these leaders would not be pleased. 

REFLECT 

How influenced are you about what others report to you—both positive and negative? As you listen to a Bible-teaching message, is what others later tell you more important than your own opinion about whether it was a good or bad presentation? 

RESPOND 

On the next occasion you hear a Bible-teaching message, determine ahead of time to not be swayed by other’s opinions of the message. Even if you hear negative comments, do not let them rob you of the blessing you received by listening to the message. 

What Are We Going to Do 

READ 

John 11:47-48 

47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” 

The “high council” refers to the Jewish Supreme Court. Notice what they feared: that the Roman authorities were more to be feared than the Son of God demonstrating His supernatural power. They wanted people to deny anything Jesus did to show He was the Son of God and Savior of the world. Notice also that they realized the message of Jesus was more powerful and convincing than theirs. They were opposed to His message and miracles so they wanted to destroy the messenger. 

REFLECT  

Consider that the Gospel message you share about Jesus is more powerful than anything the unbelieving world has to offer. This may also mean that when they are criticizing you it is because of your message rather than because of something you have done. 

RESPOND 

Read John 15:18-25 to see why the world may be upset with you even though you try to present the Gospel with a gentle, loving spirit.  

Caiaphas Speaks  

READ 

John 11:49-50 

49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” 

Caiaphas seemed to know the right things to say even though he was not a believer in Jesus. Caiaphas was also more concerned about the Romans than he was of Jesus. He thought the nation of Israel would be spared if Jesus was to die for the people. Jerusalem and the temple, however, were completely destroyed in A.D. 70 when Titus, the Roman general, captured the city. Caiaphas is an example of someone who knows information but does not have a personal trust in Jesus for salvation. 

REFLECT 

Think of the unbelievers you have met who seem to know correct information from the Scriptures, yet have not personally trusted in Jesus for salvation. Tell the one you are discipling about one like this to help instruct that not all unbelievers are ignorant of the Bible. 

RESPOND 

Read John 5:39-44 to see what Jesus said to those who were searching the Scriptures but were not Christ-followers. Pray for people you know who may be in the same category of unbelievers as the religious leaders when Jesus was on earth.