17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles[a] off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[b] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps
28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved[c] in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- As described in this passage, compare and contrast Martha’s faith with that of Mary.
- In verse 25 we get Jesus’ fifth “I AM” statement in John’s Gospel. What thoughts or feelings does this verse stir in you?
- If Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus, why did He weep (v. 35)?
- “It’s not about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years.” What are your thoughts on these verses? How does Christ promise to add life to your years? Why is this an important distinction, especially to those struggling with why people sometimes pass at young ages?
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: Rise Again | Transliterated Word:
anistemi (an-is-tay-mee)
To stand up — also, get up, leave, raise up, to cause to stand up
From ‘ana’ – again and ‘hstemi’ – to stand
Family Engagement Activity
Together learn the song “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” based on John 11:25
OR
If toilet paper is in surplus, do a mummy race. Select teams of two people. Have one person wrap their partner in toilet paper and then have the “mummy” walk from one place to another without breaking the toilet paper. Each tear of the toilet paper results in a time penalty. See which person/team has the fastest time.
OR/AND
Talk about how Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life! Explain how he brings us back from the dead. Ask when you as a family ask God for forgiveness.
OR/AND
Celebrate by throwing a party tonight just because you have been given LIFE!!!
OR/AND
Discuss with your family: can they identify times that you as a family ask God to resurrect you (forgive your sins)? Also, ask them to identify the times during tomorrow’s worship service in which we are asking for His resurrection to impact our life.
Answers Can Include:
- Confession and Absolution
- Sermon
- Some Songs
- In Some Scripture
- Lord’s Prayer
- Communion (if offered)
- Others
Maybe add this to a morning prayer or an evening prayer. Martin Luther did an extraordinary job by adding this in his morning and evening prayers.
LUTHER’S MORNING PRAYER
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
LUTHER’S EVENING PRAYER
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Going Activities To Consider
Add a daily time of reflecting upon Christ resurrecting your life. Consider adding one or both of these:
LUTHER’S MORNING PRAYER
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
LUTHER’S EVENING PRAYER
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
AND/OR
Consider throwing an impromptu party with someone else to celebrate their life. OR Write a note to someone, let them know how much life they have added to your years.