April 3rd
Read John 12:9-11
Here we see the second mention of Lazarus in this chapter. The resurrection of Lazarus has begun to play a major role in the coming arrest of Jesus. The religious rulers of the day had no answer or rebuttal for this very clear display of Jesus’ power. It seems their plan was to get rid of Lazarus because at least that would take away the evidence of what Jesus had done. It was the evidence of Lazarus' resurrection that the Pharisees were trying to cover up.
Read John 12:9-11
Here we see the second mention of Lazarus in this chapter. The resurrection of Lazarus has begun to play a major role in the coming arrest of Jesus. The religious rulers of the day had no answer or rebuttal for this very clear display of Jesus’ power. It seems their plan was to get rid of Lazarus because at least that would take away the evidence of what Jesus had done. It was the evidence of Lazarus' resurrection that the Pharisees were trying to cover up.
- Have you ever considered the significance of Lazarus? What do you think it would have been like to walk around with and talk to someone who had once been dead? What kind of questions do you think you’d ask him?
- The Bible tells us that apart from Jesus we are dead in our sins (Rom 3:23 and 6:23) but through the resurrection of Jesus we can be raised to newness of life (Rom 6:4). Through faith in Jesus, we, like Lazarus, can be raised to life again. Have you ever received Christ as your Savior? If not, take the time now to go to the final section in this book, the section titled "Never Accepted Christ as Your Savior?," and see how you can be raised to new life today. Then continue with these questions.
- According to the context here people are coming to Jesus because of the testimony of Lazarus. If you have received Christ as your Savior, you too have a testimony of being raised to life. You were dead in your sins and trespasses against God, but through faith in Christ have been resurrected from your old life of sin and bondage to things of the world, to walk in the newness of life.
- Can people tell your life has been resurrected? Can people see the power of Jesus that has changed your life?
- Is the enemy now coming after you and your witness for Christ? If you’re now living for Christ, you can be assured that the enemy will try to attack you, but do as Paul calls the church to do in Ephesians 6:10-20 “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”