Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom You love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus[a] was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin,[b] said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Personal Reflection and Discussion
In this opening section of John 11, we see a picture unfolding of death, love and glory.
- Take a closer look at John 11:1-6. How is Jesus unfolding a picture of death, love and glory?
- Most Christians remember Thomas for his doubting of the resurrection (Jn 20:24-29). Compare and contrast that account with what we read about Thomas here.
- Why did Jesus delay in going to Lazarus?
- Do you find this passage comforting or disturbing? Explain.
- How is it possible that someone’s sickness is called “glory of God”? How difficult is this/can this be to understand? Is it true? Why is this mindset powerful, if believed?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, in love, you conquered death, bringing glory to the Father. In death, you conquered the devil and showed us love. Help me to love others as you have loved me that we might glorify the Father.
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: stumble | Transliterated Word: proskopto (pros-kop-to)
To strike, surge against, specially to stub on, trip up; From pros which is to, against, to strike your foot against
Family Engagement Activity
Help someone who is sick today. Many times we just pray for a person and hope to hear a better report the next time. Spend today or maybe even this week checking up on that person a few times. Perhaps it’s someone struggling with cancer or maybe it’s a virus or the flu. Maybe it’s an injury, or maybe it’s a mental illness. Using proper caution, increase your social presence with them. Maybe even put their picture in your house or car, or put a special keepsake out to remember to pray for them and call them.
OR
Ask your kids how sickness can be seen as a blessing? How can there be blessings during a time of sadness? Guide them in their understanding that sickness allows people to see who will be there to provide sacrificial comfort and love. Then guide them in their understanding that Jesus is always there in times of need.
Going Activities To Consider
Help someone who is sick today. Many times we just pray for a person and hope to hear a better report the next time. Spend today or maybe even this week checking up on that person a few times. Perhaps it’s someone struggling with cancer or maybe it’s a virus or the flu. Maybe it’s an injury, or maybe it’s a mental illness. Using proper caution, increase your social presence with them. Maybe even put their picture in your house or car, or put a special keepsake out to remember to pray for them and call them.