Category Archives: Bible Study

WHY DID LAZARUS HAVE TO DIE? – 15

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John 11:4 NLT‬
[4] But when Jesus heard about it, he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

The story of Lazarus is the pinnacle of John’s “signs”. I wonder why the other three gospels didn’t record this miracle of miracles!

There are other stories of Jesus raising people from the dead, for example, Jairus’ daughter and the widow’s son. However, no other miracle in Scripture shines the light on God’s power more than
Lazarus living again after decomposing in the grave for four days.

Among many other lessons we learn from this remarkable event is the truth that God’s power can restore those who have returned to dust. Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Not only did He return from death in an indestructible resurrection body, but He also promised that those who believe in Him will rise again in immortal bodies like His.

However, to return to Lazarus, the gospels are strangely silent about Lazarus. Although he was part of the family in Bethany that Jesus often visited, we know nothing about him.. He is never mentioned apart from his name coupled with the two sisters, Martha and Mary. Did Lazarus avoid Jesus for some reason? Yet, Jesus loved him.

There was another wayward young man, the rich young ruler, whom Jesus offended by instructing him to get rid of his riches. He walked away sad because his wealth stood between him and following Jesus. Yet Jesus loved him!

I know this is pure conjecture but, did Jesus allow Lazarus to die to give him a taste of hell, the place to which his unbelief would take him?

After his resurrection, at the banquet prepared in Jesus’ honour, where was Lazarus? Absent, as usual?

‭John 12:1-2 NLT‬
[1] “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. [2] A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.”

Why would John draw attention to Lazarus twice? Yes, he was the central figure in the drama of his resurrection but his presence with Jesus at the table on this occasion was noted.

I like to think that Lazarus was not only raised from physical death, only to die again, but also from spiritual death, never to die again. Didn’t Jesus declare to Martha,

‭John 11:25 NLT‬
[25]… “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
[26] Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Lazarus’ presence at the banquet had a cultural significance. Sharing a meal with another meant that they were in fellowship, no issues between them. So, Lazarus ate with Jesus.

For each member of this Bethany family, Lazarus’ death and resurrection settled issues once and for all.

Lazarus was in fellowship with Jesus. He sat at the table with Him.

“Lazarus was among those who ate with Him.”

Martha’s faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, was irrevocably confirmed.

‭John 11:27 NLT‬
[27] “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

Mary’s trust in and devotion to Jesus was finally restored.

‭John 12:3 NLT‬
[3] “Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.”

A family healed through suffering…. Mission accomplished.

‭John 11:4 NLT‬
[4]” But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

Once again, Jesus’ words and actions were right on target. He WAS the Son of God, then and now, and He proved it. Lazarus died and was raised to eternal life, to the glory of Jesus and the Father.

John 11:4 NLT‬
[4] But when Jesus heard about it, he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

A SOB IN HIS VOICE – 11

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John 7:37 NLT‬
[37] On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!”

What did Jesus think when He saw the water ceremony being done once again? How many times had He witnessed the same thing…the high priest pouring water on the ground, only for the water to disappear into the hot sand, leaving only a patch of mud that would soon dry up.

What a picture of the religion God’s people were trying to practise. It had become like water poured into the sand. It benefitted no one because it had nothing to offer.

For Jesus, this ceremony was even more poignant because He was God in person, there for spiritually thirsty people who would believe in Him, forever… but they refused to receive Him.

What could be greater for thirsty souls than a fountain of crystal clear water inside them, always in them to drink at will. God often described Himself as a spring of living water for His people, there to quench their thirst if they would but come and drink, but which they had forsaken for worthless idols.

Jeremiah 2:13 NLT‬
[13] “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”I

His invitation was always there for anyone to drink and will remain until the end of time.

Isaiah 55:1 NLT‬
[1] “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money!”

‭His supply of living water is endless.

‭Psalms 46:4 NLT‬
[4] A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.

‭Ezekiel 47:1 NLT‬
[1] “In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side.”

‭Revelation 22:1-2 NLT‬
[1] “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations….
[17] The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”

Water… we cannot live without it. A miracle substance made up of two elements, oxygen, which we breath, and hydrogen, apparently a versatile substance which has many uses in industry.

However, apart, they cannot do anything for thirst but fused together, they become water. We drink beverages for various reasons but when we are thirsty, only water will do.

It’s no wonder God made water for thirsty people but water is no use to us if we don’t drink it.

Why did Jesus have a sob in His voice when he shouted out His invitation? He knew His people would reject Him.

‭Luke 19:41-44 NLT‬
[41] “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. [42] “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. [43] Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. [44] They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

‭Matthew 23:37 NLT‬
[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”

Jesus’ offer of life falls on deaf ears when the heart is hardened by sin and unbelief.

And He weeps…

HAMBURGER BUNS AND PILCHARDS – 10

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John 6:5, 8 NLT‬
[5]”Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”

[8] Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up.
[9] “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

Imagine attending a prestigious assembly hosted by a world-famous preacher only to find that the catering consisted of a packet of hamburger buns and a tin of pilchards. You would have been outraged by that kind of treatment.

Well, Jesus didn’t exactly plan to host a prestigious assembly, but it happened that so many people followed Him out into the country to hear Him teach that they had no time to arrange the catering. In fact, there wasn’t even time to pack a picnic basket for the day.

So, when evening came and stomachs growled with hunger, something had to be done about the situation. Jesus had a plan but He first gave His disciples opportunity to think up a solution before He gave them His version.

Since they were human and only thought in human terms, their outrageous solutions didn’t cut it.

‭John 6:6-7 NLT‬
[6] He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. [7] Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”

Philip’s hesitant suggestion floated away on the evening breeze and left them with one conclusion. “Impossible!”

Andrew tried tentatively to dip into Jesus’ way of thinking but, in the end, it sounded silly and his voice trailed off before his whole plan came out.

‭John 6:8-9 NLT‬
[8] “Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. [9] “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

At least Andrew came a little closer to Jesus’ way of thinking but he, too, felt that his idea wouldn’t work….too little food, too many people.

But… from Jesus’ perspective, it was the perfect answer. Any small resource in His hands, in partnership with the Father, would be enough to do the job. Whether the picnic lunch was given by a small boy or by the disciples didn’t matter. Bread and fish was all that was needed even in small quantities, a feast in Jesus’ hands for everyone, and some.

‭John 6:11-13 NLT‬
[11] “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. [12] After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” [13] So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.”

How did this miracle happen? Jesus didn’t wave His hands over the bread and fish and mutter magic words. He simply thanked the Father for His provision and began to break up the barley buns and fish. Then He just kept breaking… and breaking… and breaking the bits… until everyone was satisfied. He trusted the Father and did what the Father instructed.

True to humans, after the meal, the ground was littered with fragments of bread. Did Jesus simply leave the mess for the birds and insects? No way! He made sure that they would leave the place as they found it. Just to enhance the miracle, the disciples cleared the picnic spot of twelve basketsful of scraps! From five hamburger buns?

This story had a sequel.

‭John 6:22 NLT‬
[22]”The next day the crowd that had stayed on the far shore saw that the disciples had taken the only boat, and they realized Jesus had not gone with them….
[24] So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. [25] They found him on the other side of the lake and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Did these people have nothing else to do but follow Jesus around the country? Jesus was quick to realise what they were after, another free meal at His expense. They were opportunists at heart. His teaching was great but a free meal was even better.

‭John 6:26-27 NLT‬
[26] “Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. [27] But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

His conclusion ended in a clash with the people and a priceless disclosure of His identity and purpose. “Believe in me,” He urged.

‭John 6:30 NLT‬
[30] They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do?”

Jesus wasn’t about signs to initiate faith. Israel had many miraculous signs but they still persisted in their unbelief and disobedience. Signs only confirm the witness of God’s Word.

‭John 6:35-36 NLT‬
[35]”Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. [36] But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me…
[41] Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” [42] They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” They were just like their fellow Jews in Nazareth.

So, you see, not even a banquet for thousands from a picnic lunch could convince them that Jesus was who He said He was. To them, He was just another man! Really? Could just another man do what Jesus did? Say what Jesus said?

He was either stone crazy or dead serious. Faced with the evidence, we also have to make a choice. We either believe Him and commit to His demand, “Believe in me,” or dismiss His claim and go to hell for our choice.

It wasn’t the miracle that should have convinced them. The miracle was only a sign. The crux of the matter was… Did the miracle convince them that He was who He said He was, the Son of God?

‭1 John 5:10-12 NLT‬
[10] “All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son. [11] And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

THE CRUX OF IT ALL – 9

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John 5:39-40 NLT‬
[39] “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [40] Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”

It was a constant battle, trying to convince people who were determined not to believe in Him that He ws really God’s Messiah. Wasn’t He an ordinary person just like themselves?

Jesus was exasperated by the stubborn unbelief of His opponents, both spiritual leaders and common people. After the umpteenth miracle, they still wanted a “sign”.

However, in this battle of wills, Jesus revealed the greatest truths about Himself that we can find nowhere else in Scripture. John chapter 5 is a treasure chest of reassurances that Jesus is the Son of God.

This clash with His opponents came out of a notable miracle at the pool of Bethesda. A man, paralysed for 38 years, stood up and walked at Jesus’ command!

‭John 5:2-3 NLT‬
[2] “Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. [3] Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches….
[5] One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.
[8] Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” [9] Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath,… “

This “but” was the real issue for the religious leaders. That Jesus had healed a man sick for 38 years was irrelevant. That He healed him on the Sabbath was the problem. Since they were the self-appointed custodians of their people’s behaviour, they thought that they had every right to censure Jesus for what He had done.

They attacked the healed man for doing what Jesus told him to do.

‭John 5:10 NLT‬
[10] “… so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”

When the healed man found out who the healer was, he believed in Him. When the religious leaders found out that the healer was Jesus, they went on the rampage.

‭John 5:16-18 NLT‬
[16]”So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. [17] But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” [18] So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. For he not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God.”

Out of this battle of wills came some of the most profound revelations of Jesus’ relationship with His Father. Would we have had such sublime insights into this union had He not clashed with His deadly enemies?

“Equal with God?” Outrageous if it were not true. In his prologue, John set out to present Jesus as the Son of God but… his proposition needed proof. Is it possible that an ordinary man could give an impossible instruction to a paralysed man and that he would do it at His word?

How could this be? Jesus explained… the union between Himself and God the Father was so close and so intimate that they always functioned together as a unit. Jesus’ authority on earth was an extention of the Father’s authority in heaven.

‭John 5:19 NLT‬
[19] “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. “

To the Son was given the authority to judge all people and to give life to those who believe in Him. This union with the Father gave Him the right to act for the Father on earth.

‭John 5:26-30 NLT‬
[26] “The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. [27] And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. [28] Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, [29] and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.
[30] I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.”

At the resurrection, it will be the Son who sits on the throne judging individuals and nations according to their deeds. On what grounds, will He pass judgment on all who have ever lived?

To Nicodemus, He gave the charge and the evidence.

‭John 3:18-21 NLT‬
[18] “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. [19] And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. [20] All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. [21] But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Why did the Jewish leaders never get it?

Jesus gave them the clear answer. Despite all the evidence under their noses that He was who He claimed to be, they missed the conclusion. Their very own Scriptures, the book they claimed to revere and obey, pointed to Him from cover to cover but they missed Him because they were blinded by unbelief.

‭2 Corinthians 3:14 NLT‬
[14] “But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.”

John 5:39-40 NLT‬
[39] “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [40] Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”

And so the world today plunges on in its unbelief. Jews search the Scriptures but prejudice blinds them to the truth. Gentiles run after every false god down every false trail of sensual pleasure or philosophical gobbledegook but they miss the simple truth about Jesus.

There is a solution for those who sincerely search for truth.

‭John 20:30-31 NLT‬
[30] “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. [31] But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

Jesus said that we hold our destiny in our hands. To those who believe in Him, more truth will be revealed. For those who are hardened by unbelief, what little they have will be taken away.

THIRST? – 8

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John 4:13-14 NLT‬
[13] “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

God had a quarrel with His people. Despite His goodness to them and His many instructions and warnings about idolatry, the Israelites were bent on worshipping the idols and following the evil practices of the wicked nations around them.

‭Jeremiah 2:4-7, 11-13 NLT‬
[4] “Listen to the word of the Lord, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel! [5] This is what the Lord says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves. [6] They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness— a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’ “
[7] “And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you….
[11]” Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! [12] The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord.

His diagnosis was simple.

[13] “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”

In their thirst for a life-giving faith, God’s people looked everywhere else but to the Lord, indulging every fleshly lust that their idols could offer them. The outcome was wicked behaviour in the extreme. They were often led by their kings and priests who should have been the custodians of righteousness and truth.

Jesus came to bring us the water of the Spirit who would quench our spiritual thirst with the truth that satisfies forever.

‭‭John 7:37-39 NLT‬
[37] On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38] Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
[39] (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

The life Jesus promised is often pictured as a spring of fresh, crystal-clear water bubbling up from underground. How different from the pools of stagnant water or the muddied streams from which His people drank.

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well outside Sychar is a poignant reminder of the consequences of drinking at the wrong fountain.

She was a sinful woman, an outcast, full of fear, guilt, and shame. She came alone at midday to fetch water, not with the women of the town. She tried to hide behind religion, but Jesus knew her life and He knew her heart.

‭John 4:16-18 NLT‬
‭
[16] “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
[17] “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—
[18] for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

Imagine her shock at Jesus’ disclosure! His words hit her right between the eyes.

‭John 4:28-29 NLT‬
[28] “The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, [29] “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

What did this encounter with Jesus mean to this woman? She came face to face with the truth about her life. For all her years of shame, she was trying to slake her thirst at the wrong fountain! The so-called “love” of a man, especially not a husband, was nothing more than lust, cheap pleasure at her expense.

Her longing for real love was never satisfied, and never would be if her source was a polluted fountain.

‭Proverbs 5:21-23 NLT‬
[21] “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. [22] An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. [23] He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.”

In Jesus’ promise, she discovered truth that would change her heart and satisfy her thirsty soul forever.

‭John 4:13-14 NLT‬
[13]” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. [14] But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

The same prophet who diagnosed Israel’s disease, prescribed God’s cure.

‭Jeremiah 31:3 NLT‬
[3] “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

How must we respond to a love like this?

‭John 4:39-42 NLT‬
[39] “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”
[40] When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, [41] long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
[42] Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Faith in the one who made the promise opens the heart to truth, love, peace, and security that wells up into eternal life.

Try it! I have!