John’s Gospel is interspersed with miracle stories and Jesus’ teaching segments. It is interesting to note that normally John makes the miracle stories short and punchy. His purpose is to collect these stories to demonstrate his theme of who Jesus is with the practical examples …
The Lazarus Story Gems
These six Gems highlight some significant aspects of the Lazarus story in John's Gospel. They are not to be confused with Luke's account of the encounter between Lazarus and the rich man, whom some name as Dives. However dives is simply Latin for "rich".
Bible Gem 74 – The Purpose of the Lazarus Story (John 11:1-44)
Notice that John’s themes are still continuing. The believe theme is still present, see John 11:15, 25, 26, 27, 40, 42, 45, 48. John is still using testimony to tell us who Jesus is. Note 11:27 – “Yes, Lord,” she told Him. “I have always …
Bible Gem 75 – Why did He wait so long for one He loved so much? (John 11:36-37)
The story of Lazarus is heavy with elements that emphasize the love Jesus had for this Bethany family Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in particular. The gospels record that he spent a lot of time in Bethany. “Lord, Your dear friend is very sick.” (11:3), although …
Bible Gem 76 – A Very Emotional Moment, but Why? (John 11:33-38)
It doesn’t really make sense does it. He is the one who indeed could have kept Lazarus from dying but he chooses to delay so that God will be glorified. When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep …
Bible Gem 77 – The Meaning of the Very Emotional Moment (John 11:33-38)
a deep anger1 welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled2 John 11:33 Then Jesus wept3. John 11:35 Jesus was still angry1 as He arrived at the tomb, John 11:38 What really is going on here: Let’s investigate. Follow the footnotes above to the …
Bible Gem 78 – Putting it all together (John 11:33-38)
To repeat what I said a few days in order to emphasize my point: Jesus became angry and deeply troubled, cries and remains angry for sometime afterward. Why? He is certainly not showing the usual human emotion. Normally we cry at funeral because we are …