“…if thou hadst been
HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21, 32 KJV).
*
There are events and experiences that test our belief to the
utmost. It is perfectly normal to question God’s TIMING, DELAYS, SOLUTIONS, and
seemingly SILENCE. Both Martha and Mary made the SAME remark. “…if thou hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…” (John 11:21, 32 KJV). Let’s
be honest, Jesus does NOT always TURN the situations or experiences around to
your DESIRED expectation. “…"Father, if you are willing, take
this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke
22:42-43 NIV). Jesus does not and will “NOT” always do what you want, desire,
expect, or prefer. “…if
thou hadst been HERE …”
(John 11:21 KJV). It is usually “YOUR” will and
“NOT” God’s will that YOU truly favor. “…I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). BECAUSE:
“…I seek NOT mine own will…but THE WILL of the Father which hath sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV). It is obvious Martha and
Mary had an attitude of sorrow. Believers usually get sad when God doesn’t DO
what “they” thought would be the best solution or outcome in the difficult
situations, events, experiences, or circumstances of their life. “…if thou hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…” (John 11:21 KJV). Do
some believers prefer God to submit to “their” will and desires? Do they want
to control the outcomes of their events and experiences instead of God? When
God doesn’t “DO” what they WANT why do believers get mad? “…For I have come down from
heaven “NOT” TO DO MY WILL
BUT to do THE WILL of him who sent me…”
(John 6:38 NIV). Getting sad over THE OUTCOMES OF certain situation is normal,
but getting an attitude about HOW the situation turned out reveals whose
DESIRED will was truly prevalent: yours or God’s. “…if thou
hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). It is obvious Martha and Mary
DID “NOT” want their brother to DIE and “KNEW” Jesus could have prevented it. It is
always the believer’s choice to submit to God’s will. Therefore, “…choose
LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19
KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…If the Lord
will, [YOU] shall
live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV). Martha and Mary,
most likely, cared for their brother during his sickness. They were probably at
his bedside when he died or took his last breath. They may have helped prepare
the body for the Jewish burial by wrapping the linen grave clothes, with
spices, on his dead body. They also attended his funeral service and saw the
stone roll shut over his tomb. By the time Jesus showed up they had been sad
and mourning for four days. “…The Jews
came to … comfort them
(Martha and Mary) concerning their brother…” (John 11:19 KJV). It is
understandable - though they loved Jesus - why Martha and Mary had an attitude
of blame toward him and possibly questioned or lost some confidence in his
power to ALTER things in the PRESENT. SOME trials and tribulations can weaken
us and thus influence us to bury our hopes, dreams, and unanswered prayers
along with the DEAD. “…if thou hadst been
HERE my brother (or my HOPE, my DREAMS, my
unanswered PRAYERS, etc.) had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). Did Martha and Mary see
Lazarus’ death from a limited perspective? Was Lazarus death about them? Did
Lazarus’ death have a higher, divine purpose? “..When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it…”
(John 11:4 NASB). Losing
love ones to diseases, or accidents, or murder, or some other irrational,
unapproved, horrible, or unbearable reason makes their deaths appear outside of
God’s providence. “…Do not
be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell…”
(Matthew 10:28 NIV). Jesus
died by crucifixion. “…Pilate
therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of
thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And
said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus
forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto
them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,
they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and
crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away
with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief
priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be
crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16
KJV). Crucifixion was considered one of the most horrible forms of deaths,
of its time, and was used on the vilest of criminals. “…And he bearing
his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is
called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18
KJV). As
cruel as crucifixion was, Jesus’ death was NOT outside of God’s providence? “….the Son of Man came … TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28 NIV). God
“…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). Death,
however it arrives, impacts everyone sooner or later. The bible tells us that
Jesus’ death was God’s will. “…"Father, if you are willing, take
this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke
22:42-43 NIV). The death of a loved one is hard enough to
bear, and if their death is surrounded by the memory of a ravishing disease, or
an unexpected event, or the cruelty of murder, or some other kind of
unthinkable act or reason; it makes it worst. During
crucifixion the arms were stretched wide open, along a wooden cross-beam, where
nails were driven into the center of the palms with a mallet. “..They cried out, saying, Crucify him,
crucify him.…” (John 19:1-16 KJV). Another nail was
driven through both feet. When the cross was lifted off the ground the weight
of the body tore at the flesh around the nailed hands and feet. “…Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify
him: for
I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify
him. …”
(John 19:1-16 KJV). Death by crucifixion was painful, shameful,
physically excruciating, and torturous. Yet, God “…spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all….?”
(Romans 8:32 KJV). Lazarus’ death had a purpose.
Jesus’ death had a purpose. Lazarus’ death was for the Glory of God (confirmation
of his presence through the display of his goodness) so that God’s disciple’s
faith or dependency upon the POWER of his WORD might be strengthened. “…this sickness is
NOT unto death, but for the
glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). “…to the intent that ye may
BELIEVE ….” (John 11:15, 25
KJV).
Jesus’ death was for the Glory
of God (confirmation of his presence through the display of his GOODNESS) so
that mankind might BELIEVE and be SAVED from their sins. “…my Father hath sent
me…” (JOHN 20:19-21 KJV).
“…Herein is LOVE, not that we
loved God, but that HE LOVED US and sent His Son...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life…”
(John 3:16 KJV). Since so many people benefit
from the deaths of Lazarus and Jesus it is CLEAR to SEE the divine purposes of
their death. “…to the intent that ye may BELIEVE ….”
(John 11:15, 25 KJV). “…that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life…” (John 3:16 KJV). When
it’s personal, it is NOT so CLEAR to ACCEPT or SEE a divine purpose in the
deaths of our loved ones. “…If thou
hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). The days of one’s life are
numbered. Neither you nor your loved ones can live past their pre-determined
number of days. There is a time to live and to die. "…LORD, ….Remind me that my days are numbered…”
(Psalms 39:4 NLT). “…MY TIMES are
in Your hand…” (Psalms 31:15a KJV). “…MY FUTURE is in your hands…”
(Psalms 31:15a NLT). “….To every [thing there is] a season, and A TIME to every purpose under the heaven…a time to be
born, and a time to die…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). “…If thou hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…” (John 11:21 KJV).
Questions and answer to go deeper:
IF
JESUS, THE WORD, HAD BEEN THERE
1. WhAT STATEMENT OF
BLAME DID MARY AND MARY MAKE ABOUT JESUS AND THEIR BROTHER’S DEATH? THAT IF
JESUS, THE WORD, HAD COME ON TIME AND WHEN THEY CALLED HIM TO, THEIR BROTHER
WOULD NOT HAVE DIED. “…if thou hadst been
HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21, 32 KJV).
2. WHEN JESUS, THE
WORD, DOES NOT COME TO OUR SITUATIONS WHEN WE WANT OR CHANGE THEM THE WAY WE
WANT, WHAT SHOULD OUR ATTITUDE BE? ONE of HUMILTIY,
BECAUSE WE TRUST OR DEPEND ON HIM TO WORK IT OUT according to HIS perfect will
AND NOT OURS. “…"Father, if you are willing, take
this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke
22:42-43 NIV).
3. WHAT WAS APOSTLE
PAUL’S ATTITUDE TOWARD ALLOWING GOD TO WORK HIS SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES
OUT ACCORDING TO HIS perfect WILL AND NOT HIS OWN? HIS
ATTITUDE WAS ONE OF CONTENTMENT, BECAUSE HE TRUSTED OR DEPENDED UPON GOD’S
INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO STRENGTHEN him THROUGH IT ALL. “…I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). BECAUSE:
“…I seek NOT mine own will…but THE WILL of the Father which hath sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV).
4.
DID GOD’S PEOPLE COME TO EARTH TO DO THEIR WILL OR
GOD’S?
LIKE JESUS, THEY CAME TO DO GOD’S WILL. “…For I
have come down from heaven “NOT” TO DO MY WILL BUT to do THE WILL of him who sent me…”
(John 6:38 NIV). WAS MARY AND MARTHA BLAMING GOD FOR THEIR BROTHER’S DEATH?
YES. HAVE YOU EVER BLAMED GOD FOR NOT WORKING
THINGS OUT THE WAY YOU WANTED, WHEN YOU WANTED IT, OR HOW YOU WANTED IT? DISCUSS YOUR ANSWERS. “…if thou
hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). IS TRUSTING IN OR DEPENDING UPON GOD’S METHOD OF WORKING
IT OUT YOUR CHOICE? YES IT IS. “…choose
LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19
KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…I seek NOT mine own will…but THE
WILL of the Father which hath sent me...”
(John 6:38 KJV).
5.
WHY CAN’T WE ALWAYS UNDERSTAND GOD’S TIMING, DELAYS,
OR METHODS FOR MANIFESTING HIS GLORY IN OUR SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES? HIS WAYS ARE NOT LIKE OUR WAYS AND HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT LIKE
OUR THOUGHTS. “…“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine … my ways
are higher … my thoughts higher…” (Isaiah 55:5-9 NLT).
6.
MARY AND MARTHA’S THOUGHTS
WERE ONLY ABOUT JESUS NOT SHOWING UP TO PREVENT LAZARUS’ DEATH. WHAT WERE
JESUS, THE WORD’S, THOUGHTS ABOUT? ABOUT
MANIFESTING THE GLORY OF GOD. “…if thou hadst been
HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). “..When
Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in
death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it…”
(John 11:4 NASB).
7.
HOW DID JESUS DIE? BY
CRUCIFIXTION. “…Pilate
therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of
thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And
said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus
forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto
them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,
they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and
crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away
with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief
priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be
crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16
KJV).
8.
DID JESUS’ DEATH HAVE A PURPOSE? YES, HE BECAME THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR MANY.
“….the Son of Man came … TO GIVE his life as a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28 NIV).
9. DID GOD SPARE
JESUS FROM BEING CRUCIFIED? NO, HE DID NOT SPARE JESUS
FROM BEING CRUCIFIED. “…spared
not his own Son, but delivered
him up for us all….?”
(Romans 8:32 KJV). “..They cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.…”
(John 19:1-16 KJV), “…Pilate saith unto
them, Take ye
him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify
him. …”
(John 19:1-16 KJV), “…spared
not his own Son, but delivered
him up for us all….?”
(Romans 8:32 KJV).
10. DID JESUS LIKE the
PROCESS HE HAD TO THROUGH “BEFORE” HE BECAME THE SAVIOR? NO, IT WAS DIFFICULT, BUT HE WENT THROUGH ANYWAY. “…"Father,
if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done"
(Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
11. JESUS’ DEATH HAD
A PURPOSE. IT WAS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. HOW DO YOU “SEE” THE PRESENCE OF GOD’S
GOODNESS IN JESUS’ DEATH? JESUS’
DEATH REPRESENTS GOD’S LOVE THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE AND DEATH, upON THE CROSS, AS
THE LAMB THAT TAKES AWAY SINS of the whole world (a display of his goodness). “…Behold the Lamb of God (Jesus), which taketh away the
sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV).
“…He (Jesus) is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). “…Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but
that HE LOVED US
and sent His Son...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life…”
(John 3:16 KJV).
12. LAZARUS’ DEATH
HAD A PURPOSE TOO FOR THE GLORY OF GOD; WHAT WAS IT? TO
EMPOWER A GREATER FAITH IN OR DEPENDENCY UPON GOD’S WORD. “…this sickness is
NOT unto death, but for the
glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). “…to the intent that ye may
BELIEVE ….” (John 11:15, 25
KJV).
13.
GOD’S WORD, IS GOD’S THOUGHTS. ARE HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT
OUR SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE your THOUGHTS? NO.
WHY ARE WHY NOT? HIS WAYS AND THOUGHTS ARE NOT LIKE
OURS. “…“My thoughts are nothing like
your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are
far beyond anything you could imagine … my ways are higher … my
thoughts higher…” (Isaiah
55:5-9 NLT).
14. WHEN GOD’S WORD IS DELAYED IN RESPONDING TO OUR HOPES, DREAMS, OR
PRAYERS FOR DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, ARE EVEN YEARS, WHAT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO
CONTINUE TO DO? TRUST IN OR DEPEND UPON HIS
WORD. “…He…
[completely] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter
2:19-23 NIV). “…Trust in (depend
upon) the Lord (the word) with ALL
thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
YOUR
HOPES, DREAMS, PRAYERS WOULD NOT HAVE DIED
15. IS IT IMPORTANT TO
KEEP TRUSTING IN OR DEPENDING UPON JESUS, THE WORD, REGARDLESS OF THE DELAY AND
NO MATTER WHAT IS REQUIRED OR HOW LONG IT’S BEEN? YES,
IT IS. “…Abraham believed God…”
(James 2:18-24 NIV). “…Trust in (or
depend upon) the Lord with ALL
YOUR HEART …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
16. WHAT DID THE
BIBLE CALL ABRAHAM, BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH OR DEPENDENCY UPON GOD’S WORD? A FRIEND OF GOD. “…Abraham believed
God (DEPENDED UPON HIS WORD), and it was credited to him as
righteousness, and he was called God’s friend…”
(James 2:18-24 NIV).
17. TRUE
OR FALSE: Regardless of what one KNOWS of God’s truth, the death of our loved
ones, the death of our dreams, the death
of our unanswered prayers, the death of our hopes will put a DAMPER on, or
WEAKEN faith or dependency upon his word. TRUE.“…If thou (,Jesus, the WORD) hadst been HERE my brother (my
dreams, my hopes, my unanswered prayers, my desires, my expectations, etc.) had NOT died…” (John 11:21 KJV). “…if thou hadst been HERE…”
(John 11:21 KJV).
18. EVEN THOUGH WE
DON’T “SEE” A PHYSICAL PRESENCE OF GOD, IS HE, GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, STILL WITH
YOU? YES, HE NEVER LEAVES US.“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I will not leave [you]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
19.
JESUS, THE WORD,
KNEW GOD WAS WITH HIM EVEN WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HIS SUFFERING.
WHAT WAS JESUS’ ATTITUDE? HE ENDURED IT, BECAUSE OF THE
JOY IN FRONT OF HIM. HE LEARNED TO FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTION IN SPITE OF THE harshness
of his CIRCUMSTANCES.
“…Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding
its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT). “…Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the
things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV). “…"Father ... not My will, but Yours be done"
(Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
20. Was it hard for
mary and Martha to “see” pass the death of their brother? YES, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS OVER.
THEY THOUGHT THE HOPE, DREAMS, AND PRAYERS ABOUT THEIR BROTHER DIED WITH HIM
TOO.
“…if thou (God, Jesus)
hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…”
(John 11:21 KJV). “…this sickness is NOT unto
death, but for the glory of God…”
(John 11:4 KJV). “…to the intent that ye may BELIEVE ….”
(John 11:15, 25 KJV).
21. IT IS NORMAL TO QUESTION
God’s sense of “justice” or “fairness” when it comes to YOUR LOSSES, DELAYS, or EXPERIENCES? YES.
WILL YOU FEEL THESE AFFLICTIONS FOREVER? NO, THEY ARE
ONLY TEMPORARY. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV). DID
JESUS
22. ACTUALLY
EXPERIENCE “injustice” and “unfairness? YES.
WHY OR WHY NOT? TO SAVE THE LOST BY BECOMING THE
ATONING SACRIFICE. “…For
Christ also died for sins ONCE for
all, the just for the unjust, so
that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...
he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…”
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). “…Behold
the Lamb of God
(Jesus), which taketh away the sin of the world”
(John 1:29 KJV). He (Jesus, the WORD) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John
2:2 NIV). “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us and SENT His Son to be the propitiation (substitute,
intervention) for our sins.” (1
John 4:10 KJV).
23. WHAT WAS UNJUST
AND UNFAIR ABOUT jesus’ SUFFERING? HE SUFFERED FOR YOU
AND ME. HE TOOK THE PUNISHMENT WE ACTUALLY DESERVED.. “…It
was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows
that
weighed him down…”
(Isaiah 53:4 NLT). “…the just for the
unjust, …” (1
Peter 3:18 NASB).
“…Christ suffered for you…”
(1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). “…He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him
and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care…” (Isaiah
53:3 NLT). “…if thou (God, Jesus) hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…” (John 11:21 KJV).
24. DESPITE JESUS’
SUFFERING OR HOW UNJUST, UNFAIR, OR SHAMEFUL IT WAS, DID HE BLAME GOD OR DID HE
CONTINUE TO ENTRUST HIMSELF TO GOD? HE CONTINUED TO
ENTRUST HIMSELF TO GOD. “…What we do see is Jesus, who for a little
while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered
death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by
God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone…”
(Hebrews 2:9 NLT). “…Therefore, God
elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name
above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth…” (Philippians 2:9-10 NLT). “…Christ suffered for you…,
leaving you… an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no
sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their
insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he
suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges
justly…” (1
Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
25. THOUGH WE GO THROUGH UNJUST, UNFAIR, AND SHAMEFUL
EXPERIENCES, WILL WE EVENTUALLY “OVERCOME” IT ALL! YES!! “..I have told you all this so that you may
have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But
take
heart,
because I have overcome the world…” (John 16:33 NLT). HOW DID JESUS’
OVERCOME AND GAIN VICTORY OVER ALL HIS INJUSTICS, UNFAIRNESS, AND SHAME? HE BECAME LORD AND SAVIOR FOR MANY AND IS NOW CROWNED WITH
GLORY AND HONOR. “…he [WAS]…“crowned
with glory and honor.” …”
(Hebrews 2:9 NLT). “… [He WAS]…elevated
…to the place of highest honor …” (Philippians 2:9-10 NLT). “…When [Jesus saw) …all that … [was]… accomplished by his anguish, he … [WAS] … satisfied. And because of his experience … [God’s]… righteous servant (Jesus) …[MADE] … it possible for many
to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “…he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him…”
(Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). “…The
master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good
and faithful servant. You
have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you
many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25:21
NLT). THEREFORE, “…Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding
its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).
26. MARY AND MARTHA
EXPERIENCED A GREAT SORROW WITH THE DEATH OF THEIR BROTHER, BUT THE PRESENCE OF
GOD’S GOODNESS IN RAISING THE BROTHER FROM THE DEAD empowered their faith AND
DEPENDENCY UPON the power of jesus, god’s word. WILL HE DO THE SAME FOR YOU? YES, HE WILL. “…Who may worship in your
sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? …Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those
…who honor the faithful followers of the
Lord and keep their promises even when it hurts. …Such people will
stand firm forever…”
(Psalms 15 NLT). Job said, “…Though he
slay me, yet will I trust in him…”
(Job 13:15 KJV). “...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But
take
heart,
because I have overcome the world…” (John 16:33 NLT). WHERE DID JESUS
DRAW HIS STRENGTH FROM? FROM THE INSIDE; THE HOLY
SPIRIT. “…Because of the JOY awaiting him…”
(Hebrews 12:2 NLT). "…Father, into
your hands I commit my spirit…"
(Luke 23:46 NIV).“…While Jesus was here on earth, he offered
prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to
the one who could rescue him from death…” (Hebrew 5:7 NLT). WHAT WAS
HAPPENING TO JESUS ON THE OUTSIDE? HE WAS TREATED UNJUST, UNFAIR, AND SHAMEFUL. “…Just as there were many who were appalled at
him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred
beyond human likeness—“ (Isaiah 52:14 NIV).
“…he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement
of our peace [was] upon him; and
with his stripes we are healed…” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV).“…He … [completely] … entrusted
himself to him who judges justly…”
(1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).
27. DID JESUS, THE
WORD, HAVE TO BE THERE PHYSICALLY TO HEAL LAZARUS? NO,
HE HEALED THE CENTURION’S SERVANT WITHOUT BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENCE. “…If thou (God, Jesus) hadst been HERE my brother had NOT died…” (John 11:21 KJV). “…Jesus was entered into
Capernaum, there
came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my
servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus
saith unto him, I
will come and heal him. The
centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come
under my roof: but SPEAK THE WORD ONLY, and my servant shall be
healed. For I am a man
under AUTHORITY, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and
he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and
he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that
followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so GREAT FAITH,
no, not in Israel…” (Matthew 8:5-9 KJV).
28. BEFORE WE JUDGE
MARY AND MARTHA FOR THEIR BLAME AND SORROW OVER THEIR BROTHER, WAS THAT A
NORMAL HUMAN RESPOND? YES. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why
art thou disquieted within me?” (Psalm 43:5 KJV). “…If thou (God, Jesus)
hadst been HERE …” (John 11:21 KJV).
29. HOW DID JESUS,
THE WORD, COMFORT THEM IN THEIR SORROW? HE TOLD THEM THEIR
BROTHER WOULD RISE AGAIN, THEY WOULD “SEE” THE GLORY OF GOD, AND THEY WOULD
HAVE A GREATER FAITH OR DEPENDENCY UPON “the power” of GOD’s word.“…Lazarus’s sickness will
not end in death. No, it happened for the glory
of God…” (John 11:4 NLT). “…thy brother shall rise again… …” (John
11:23-27 KJV). “…This
sickness is not unto
death, but for the glory of God…”
(John 11:4 KJV). “…I am glad for your SAKE that I
was not THERE to the intent that ye may
BELIEVE….” (John 11:15, 25
KJV).
30. MARY AND MARTHA
WERE ALREADY HIS DISCIPLES or believers, WHAT ELSE DID THEY NEED TO BELIEVE? THAT JESUS, THE WORD, WAS THE “powerful” RESURRECTION AND THE
LIFE. “…Even now I know that whatever You ask of God,
God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your
brother will rise again.” Martha
said to Him, “I know
that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I
am the resurrection and the life; he
who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives
and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe
this?” She
said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world…”
(John 11:22-27 NASB).
31. DID
LAZARUS’ DEATH WORK TOGETHER FOR MARY AND MARTHA’S GOOD? YES. HOW? THEY GAINED A GREATER FAITH OR DEPENDENCY
UPON THE “POWER” OF GOD’S WORD. “..All
things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are
THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).“…To
the intent that ye may BELIEVE… ….”
(John 11:15 KJV).“…Have
you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all
the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength
to the powerless. Even youths
will become weak and tired, and young men will fall
in exhaustion. But
those who trust in the Lord will find “new” strength. They
will soar high
on wings like eagle They will run and not grow weary. They
will walk and
not faint…” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT).
32. HOW
PRECIOUS WAS MARY AND MARTHA’S FAITH in OR DEPENDENCY UPON the “power” of GOD’S
WORD THAT HE WOULD ALLOW THEIR BROTHER TO DIE IN ORDER TO DEVELOP IT? IT IS VERY PRECIOUS TO HIM.“….the proof of your faith, (dependency
upon HIM) being more
precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by
fire, may be
found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1
Peter 1:7 ASV). “[God]
knoweth the way that I take; when
he hath tried me (BY EMPOWERING A GREATER FAITH OR DEPENDENCY UPON HIM, THROUGH
HIS INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT), I shall come forth as gold…” (Job 23:10 KJV). “…He
will
keep you strong to the end…” (1
Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…Not that we are
sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…you will abound
in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit…”
(Romans 15:13 NASB). “…I pray that God, the source of
HOPE, will fill you completely.... Then
you will overflow with confident HOPE through
the power of the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT). “... I shall come forth as gold…” (Job 23:10 KJV).
33. WHEN MARY AND
MARTHA’S FAITH in OR DEPENDENCY UPON the power of GOD’S WORD was empowered,
WHAT did they “see,” with their own eyes. CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD? LAZARUS, THEIR HOPES, THEIRS DREAMS, AND THEIR UNANSWERED
PRAYERS. “…Jesus
said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you
will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV). “…when he thus had spoken
(prayed), he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead
came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).
34. WILL GOD DO THE SAME FOR YOU? THIS IS A DISCUSSION QUESTION.
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