WTTW: GOD'S WORD

SUNDAY: “Tell & Show”

Psalm 95:6

Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

GOD'S WORD: John 11: 38-45

Paraphrase

Coming to the tomb where Lazarus had been for four days riled up Jesus' anger over death to the point he told them to remove the stone covering the entrance to the tomb.

Martha cautioned Jesus against doing this since her brother’s decomposing body having been in the tomb for four dayS would give off a putrid odor.

Reminding Martha she had been told if she believed he was the resurrection and the life she would see the glory of God, Jesus had the stone removed as he looked up to heaven thanking his Father for always hearing him - thanking Him publically so those present would believe he was the Son of God when they witnessed what was about to happen.

Calling in a loud voice for Lazarus to come out of the tomb, he walked out covered with the burial cloth twisted and turned around his entire face and body prompting Jesus to tell them to remove Lazarus’ burial clothes so he could be set free.

Many of the Jews who had come from Jerusalem to Bethany to mourn with Mary and Martha placed their faith in Jesus upon witnessing this while other Jews responded by telling the Pharisees what had happened. This led to a meeting of the Sanhedrin where the religious leaders expressed fear that as more and more people believed in Jesus they would fall into disfavor with Rome and end up losing their religious status and power.


Principles

Central Idea of the Text (CIT)
Interrogatory (INT)
Answer (ANS)


A. Meaning for 1st Century Readers

I. CIT: John told his 1st Century Readers that because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many people believed he was the Son of God – the Messiah. v 45

II. INT: Why did many people believe Jesus was the Son of God?

III. ANS: Many believed Jesus was the Son of God because:

A. He told Martha what he would do. v 40

B. He thanked his Father for what was already done. vv 41-42

C. His friend had been dead four days. vv 38-39

D. His friend walked out of the grave. vv 43-44




B. Meaning for 21st Century Readers

I. CIT: John tells us today that because Jesus was raised from the grave many people believe he is the Son of God – the Christ.

II. INT: Why do many people believe Jesus is the Christ?

III. ANS: Many believe Jesus is the Christ because:

A. He told us what he would do. John 13:33; 14:2-4, 28-31; 16:16-20

B. He thanked his Father for what was already accomplished. John 17:4-5; 19:30

C. He had been dead three days. John 19:42; 20:1

D. He walked out of the grave. John 20:14-29


Prayer

LORD and Giver of Life, we thank you for the witness Jesus left when he walked the earth that he was the Son of God, the Christ in the way he raised Lazarus from the dead.

LORD and Giver of Life, we praise you for the witness the Apostle John gives us of Jesus himself being raised from death by Crucifixion – for telling us what was going to happen, for telling us God’s Will was done, for going to the grave for our sin and for being resurrected from the grave three days later so that we can live.

LORD, we thank You for these witnesses the Apostle John has provided to us so that we are able to see and believe.

LORD, we ask that Your Spirit help us to be prepared as Witnesses to tell those who have questions about who Your Son is and What he has done and the difference this makes in the world and our lives.

In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,

Amen.