Theme

Jesus is your only hope for everlasting, resurrection life. Do you believe this?

Text

1 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 was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was...

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 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. 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.”

Discussion Questions

1. What news does Jesus receive in vv. 3–6, and how does He respond? Based on those verses, why do you think He responds this way?
2. What does Martha affirm about Jesus in v. 22? What does she affirm in v. 27, and what does this mean? See Isa. 61:1–2; Zech. 9:9, 16–17; Rom. 15:12
3. List every title, name, or description applied to Jesus in verses 1–27. What does each reveal about Him?
4. Verse 25 is the 5th of 7 “I Am” statements in John’s Gospel (cf. 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 14:6; 15:1, 5). What is Jesus saying in v. 25? How does it point Martha beyond just the truth of future resurrection?
5. “Whoever believes in me shall never die” (v. 26). Is this true? If so, how?
6. What does it mean to “believe in” Jesus, and how ought this to change your life? Hint: think about what knowing, accepting, and trusting Christ might mean for your faith.
7. “The root of a happy religion is clear, distinct, well-defined knowledge of Jesus Christ” (Ryle). Practically, how can you begin to know and enjoy Christ better today?

Transcript

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