John 11

Friend in Need

John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha, Jesus' friends from Bethany.

John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

There are several Mary's mentioned in the Bible. Ths is not Mary of Magdala. John helps us by saying what she did that made her special to the Lord. She anointed his feet with ointment and wiped them with her hair. There are three occurrences of anointing Jesus by a woman, in three gospel accounts. Differences in each gospel account lead me to believe that there were three separate women and places. Can you find the differences?

This anointing occurred at a later time in the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany.

John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

There was another anointing in Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper.

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Mark 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mark 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Mark 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
Mark 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Possibly a third anointing at Simon the Pharisees house.

Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Luke 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

If these accounts are of one woman, Mary sister of Martha and Lazarus, then the place this occured was in a home in Bethany. The home of Simon, a Pharisee, who was or had been a leper. Mary came in with a pound of precious ointment of Spikenard in an alabaster box. The ointment was as preparing Jesus for his burial. She applied it upon his head and she applied it on his feet with her tears. She kissed his feet and wiped the ointment and her tears off with her hair. She was known as a sinner, but Jesus forgave her and said she would always be remembered for her kind deed done unto him.

John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Jesus knew and loved Lazarus, their brother. He would be the one to go to for comfort and healing. He still is our comforter and healer.

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

For those who are called of God, everything is for the glory of God. We should always trust our Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Remember the blind man who was healed by Jesus? Many accused him of sin, causing his blindness, but Jesus said differently.

John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

When someone is in need, we get upset and concerned for them. Jesus loved Lazarus, yet did nothing for two days. Jesus wasn't worried, God is not worried about your need. He is able to meet every need beyond your expectations. What does God seek from us? He wishes to be glorified for who he is. We want him to jump here and there to meet our needs; he wants us to have faith and trust in who he is, with obedience.

John 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Master, the Jewish leaders want to kill you in Judea. You would go there again? Yes, his friend Lazarus is there, he needs a touch from the Lord.

John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

We work in the day the works of the Lord. Jesus is the light, as he said to the blind man:

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

The night, is the absence of light, the blind of the world who walk by their own light and not the light of God.

John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

His body was dead. The heart stopped beating and all bodily functions had stopped. But, he was alive in soul and spirit.

John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

We can be glad, even when all seems hopeless. Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus was going to bring glory to God, his father.

John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Thomas, not being known for his great faith, says something hard to understand: "Let us also go that we may die with him." Die with Lazarus or die with Jesus? Was this a bit of sarcastic wit? Oh well, to go to Judea is to die at the hands of the Pharisees, let us go that we may die also? Were these words spoken without thinking, supplied by an evil spirit? Many speak of dying, having no hope in this life. Jesus is our hope. Later on, after the resurrection of Jesus, Thomas will see Jesus as God the Son.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

His body was quite dead.

John 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

A furlong is 220 yards, so Bethany was about a mile and a half from Jerusalem.

John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Often professional mourners would be hired to moan and weep for the deceased. Would you want that? I sometimes wonder about giving prayer requests to people who do not know you. Is their heart truly touched? Yes, many people are gifted in mercy and intercessory prayer, even for strangers. Jesus was confronted by professional mourners at another time.

Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Mark 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

John 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Martha seemed to be accusing Jesus of missing the mark. Jesus never missed the mark, he was without sin.

John 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Martha spoke a word of faith. Faith in Jesus is required. He is our intercessor to God. Through him is the way. Some say you must believe in yourself. It is much better to believe in Jesus. We cannot give life of ourselves without God.

John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Jesus spoke life. When Jesus speaks life it is the same living word that created the worlds.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Jesus is the resurrection.

Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

and the life

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Lazarus

John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Martha speaks; belief and confession are required for salvation.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Jesus spoke early in his ministry the importance of believing on Jesus as the Son of God. Some say, "can I be saved and not believe that Jesus is God?" Why would you not believe the truth? Are you expecting salvation and forgiveness based on half truths? Jesus is to be taken as He is, Lord and Savior, God the Son, the Eternal Word of God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Salvation is come in Jesus. You must believe he is who he says he is, or believe in him for the works that are the proof.

John 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
John 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

Mary loved Jesus and was his disciple. Martha seemed to be too busy to be his disciple. She believed in Jesus, but did not spend time listening to his words. Are we as Martha or as Mary? Listen to this story from Luke.

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

John 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Mary repeats the words of her sister. We trusted you Jesus, but you are too late. God is never too late, remember this, he is always in control and is not worried about our situations. He is Lord of all. We should have such faith that when we ask of him, we will start rejoicing that he has already answered.

Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

God is in touch with our feelings. Jesus has compassion on us.

1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

This speaks a thousand words. He was not weeping because Lazarus was dead, he is Lord of life. He wept for the sorrows within the hearts of those he loved, the grieving of Mary and Martha.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Proof of his love, his tears, they thought he was weeping for Lazarus, no, he came to bring life to Lazarus. He wept for the mourning hearts.

Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

The Holy Spirit is moved by our mourning and responds with healing grace. His sacrifice on the cross for us, showed how much he loved us. He came to make us free from satan's bondage and to give us a joyful heart.

Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

John 11:37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Yes, of course and if the truth were known, many of us would be long gone from this body, if it were not for the grace of our Lord. All is for his glory! As he spoke earlier.

John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

That groaning was for our example.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Why did he wait four days? Martha said it, by now he is decomposing, he stinketh, no way could he live by natural means. Jesus is Lord of nature, Lord of science, Lord of the elements. The only thing he is not Lord of, is a stubborn mind. He allows us to choose, giving us free will. In the end he is Lord of our life, or the Lord who must condemn us because we chose to ignore him.

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

What? You mean God means what he says? Does that mean that the Son of God can be trusted with his Word? Yes, you can place your very life in his promises. Then why would we ever choose to doubt? If we do not understand, he does, it is for his glory. Jesus I believe you and I will be like you, I will keep my word.

2 Cor 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
2 Cor 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
John 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

He spoke out loud for our example. We must speak out loud the things of God. We know our relationship with Him, but others need to know what this is. Speak the word of God and your testimony.

John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Lazarus was an example of the resurrection power within Jesus.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

The elect of God believed.

John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

The son's of belial, the devil, sought to kill Jesus to destroy his good works. The devil's people seek to steal, kill and destroy.

2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Jesus showed that he had resurrection power, by raising Lazarus. Lazarus would die again, he was not yet raised into everlasting life. Jesus was the first to be risen into everlasting life in his glorified body, the firstborn of a new creation.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Jesus purposely waited to come to Lazarus to show that he was the resurrection and the life. His tears were shed for those who were grieving, he cares for our sorrows and has come to give us joy and abundant life. If he can raise Lazarus from the grave, he can take care of our problems. We must die to self will and follow him. He is the first born of a new creation of spirit people, the first to go to heaven. We shall follow him.

What do we?

John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

They were eager to find a way to still the voice and life of Jesus. They were unwilling to accept him as who he was. They heard his words of life and they saw his miracles. The feeding of the 5000, The healing of the blind, forgiveness of sins, raising the dead back to life, and many more. Amazing, amazing grace, what more proof was required? If you are of the elect, no more is needed. If you are spiritually deaf and blind, even these miracles were not enough. He was a threat to them.

After the resurrection, Peter by the Holy Ghost witnessed of Jesus who they had killed, and the question again was asked, what do we do?

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

What will you do with Jesus? Are you with him or against him? The religious leaders were seeking to destroy their Messiah, their hope, for their immediate convenience. It is not too late for you. Repent and be reconciled to God, through His son, Jesus.

John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Listen to their reasoning. If we let him alone, all men will believe in him. Isn't this the will of God? Jesus came to restore and bring eternal life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

They opposed God's life giving son, for a dead religious experience. They reasoned that the Romans would come. They feared the worlds strength more than they feared God. Their focus was on the material world and not the spiritual.

Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

They reasoned that the Romans would take away their place, their positions of honor and power. Actually they were also envious of Jesus, for he was perceived as a greater authority and was working miracles that they could not do. They were insecure and not willing to let go of their wealth and power.

Lastly they reasoned that the Romans would take away their nation. Jesus warned them that this would happen, but they were not listening.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Their place, the temple would be destroyed and their nation, in the century after the killing of Jesus. God allowed the Romans to come in. Our fear and faith must be on the Lord, not other nations or our surrounding problems. Jesus is Lord of our concerns. Choose Jesus and choose life.

John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

The Spirit of God can speak through anyone, because of his position, he spoke through the high priest. It was necessary that one man die for the people and that the whole nation be not perished. In the understanding of Caiaphas, it was the physical things, his job, the temple, the nation that he wished to preserve. God meant this more in the spiritual. Jesus came to save his people from sin and death and hell. Not only in Jerusalem, but the elect from all nations.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Jesus knew he was to die for sins and gather a people, so was it sinful to seek to kill him? Of course it was, Jesus spoke of this to Pilate, the Roman governor.

John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

His death was ordained, but woe to those who were the plotters to kill him. The elect of God would not seek to kill God's son.

John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

Many who followed Jesus quit walking with him.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

It is a sad thing when someone quits walking with the Lord. It is even sadder, when they speak evil of him, even that can be forgiven.

Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

It is a total giving over to satan, when people actively seek to kill Jesus, his work, his followers. This was the spirit of those who opposed him then and now. The result was that he no longer walked openly with them. They were not given access to him, access denied. That is a very bad place to be. Many oppose Jesus today, and his followers who witness for him. They have heard the gospel truth and actively oppose it. Let the spirit guide you, but remember that Jesus no longer walked among them, so we have this example.

Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

If you are concerned and the spirit will not let you turn away, then pray.

1 Sam 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

This does not mean that we condone their sins or join with them.

2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

It was the law, that every Jewish male had to go to the temple at Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus never broke the law. We avoid trouble, but at times we are required to go to dangerous places. God goes with us, his will to accomplish.

John 11:57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.

What would you have done? Jesus knew that they sought to kill him. It is dependant on the time. He spoke truth to darkened hearts. Many would refuse him or seek to kill him. When the Father says it is time, then Jesus would allow himself to be taken. If not time, he would walk through the throng as if they were not there. This had happened before.

Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Luke 4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
Luke 4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

May we walk as Jesus, under his will and care, until that time when we are to come to him for eternity. What a wonderful walk this is. If it must be that we die by hostile hands, may we be as Stephen the martyr.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

May we have such a witness in our life. What do you do about Jesus?

Superragman@aol.com

My Favorite Web sites

John 12
John 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Daily Bible