John 11
Jesus receives message of Lazarus’ sickness verse 1- 7
Now a certain man was sick – named Lazarus of Bethany
the town of Mary and her sister Martha
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment
and wiped his feet with her hair
whose brother Lazarus was sick)
THEREFORE his sisters sent to HIM – saying
Lord – BEHOLD – he whom YOU love is sick
WHEN Jesus heard that – HE said
This sickness is not to death – but for the glory of God
that the Son of God might be glorified thereby
NOW Jesus loved Martha – and her sister – and Lazarus
when HE had heard therefore that he was sick
HE abode two days still in the same place where HE was
THEN after that said to HIS disciples – Let us go into Judea again
Disciples concerned over trip to Judea verse 8- 16
HIS disciples say to HIM
Master – the Jews of late sought to stone YOU
and go YOU thither again?
Jesus answered – Are there not twelve hours in the day?
IF any man walk in the day – he stumbled not
because he sees the light of this world
BUT if a man walk in the night – he stumbled
because there is no light in him
These things said HE – and after that HE says to them
Our friend Lazarus sleeps
BUT I go – that I may awake him out of sleep
THEN said HIS disciples
Lord – IF he sleep – he shall do well
Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death
BUT they thought that HE had spoken of taking of rest in sleep
Then said Jesus to them plainly – Lazarus is dead
and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there
to the intent you may believe
nevertheless let us go to him
Then said Thomas to them plainly – which is called Didymus
to his fellow disciples – Let us also go
that we may die with HIM
Jesus arrives to Martha’s greeting verse 17- 22
THEN when Jesus came – HE found that he had lain
in the grave four days already
Now Bethany was nigh to Jerusalem – about fifteen furlongs off
and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary
to comfort them concerning their brother
THEN Martha – as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming
went and met HIM
BUT Mary sat still in the house
THEN said Martha unto Jesus
Lord – if YOU had been here -my brother had not died
BUT I know – that even now
whatsoever YOU will ask of God
God will give it YOU
Jesus tells of Lazarus’ resurrection verse 23- 26
Jesus said to her
Your brother shall rise again
Martha said to HIM
I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day
Jesus said to her
I AM the resurrection and the life – he that believes in ME
though he were dead – yet shall he live
and whosoever lives and believes in ME
shall never die
Believe you this?
Martha’s confession of faith regarding Jesus verse 27
She said to HIM – Yes – Lord
I believe that YOU are the Christ – the Son of God
which should come into the world
Martha brings Mary to Jesus verse 28- 32
AND when she had so said – she went her way
and called Mary her sister secretly – saying
The Master is come – and calls for you
As soon as she heard that – she arose quickly – and came unto HIM
now Jesus was not yet come into the town
BUT was in that place where Martha met HIM
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 goes to the grave to weep there
THEN when Mary was come where Jesus was – and saw HIM
she fell down at HIS feet – saying unto HIM
Lord – IF YOU had been here
my brother had not died
Jesus goes to graveside verse 33- 37
WHEN Jesus therefore saw her weeping
and the Jews also weeping which came with her
HE groaned in the spirit
and was troubled and said – Where have you laid him?
They said to HIM – Lord – come and see
Jesus wept
Then said the Jews
Behold how HE loved him
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?
Jesus calls Lazarus from the grave verse 38- 44
Jesus therefore again groaning in HIMSELF comes to the grave
It was a cave – and a stone lay upon it
Jesus said – Take you away the stone
Martha – the sister of him that was dead – said to HIM
Lord – by this time he stinks
for he has been dead four days
Jesus said to her
Said I not to you that if you would believe
you should see the glory of God?
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 YOU that YOU have heard ME
and I knew that YOU hear ME always
BUT because of the people which stand by
I said it
that they may believe that you have sent ME
And when HE thus had spoken – HE cried with a loud voice
Lazarus come forth
And he that was dead came forth – bound hand and foot with grave clothes
and his face was bound about with a napkin
Jesus said to them
Loose him and let him go
Pharisees disturbed over miracle verse 45- 46
THEN many of the Jews which came with Mary
and had seen the things which Jesus did
BELIEVED ON HIM
BUT some of them went their ways to the Pharisees
and told them what things Jesus had done
Pharisees call a council verse 47- 54
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council
and said
What do we? FOR this man does many miracles
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
And one of them – named Caiaphas
being the high priest that same year – said to them
You know nothing at all – nor consider that it is expedient for us
that one man should die for the people
and that the whole nation perish not
And this spoke he not of himself – BUT being high priest that year
he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation
and not for that nation only
BUT that also HE should gather together in one the
children of God that were scattered abroad
THEN from that day forth they took counsel together
for to put HIM to death
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
Preparation for the Passover verse 55- 57
And the Jews’ Passover was nigh at hand
and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem
before the Passover to purify themselves
THEN sought they Jesus – and spake among themselves
as they stood in the temple
What think you – that HE will not come to the feast?
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
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. (25 “loved” [agapao] means beloved, to be fond of, to love dearly, to be contented at or with a thing, to have a strong, non-sexual affection and love for a person and their good as understood by God’s moral character, or to take pleasure in)
DEVOTION: We can misunderstand the word “love” in our world. Many people try to make it a bad thing when it is a good thing. Some would like to say that Jesus was someone who loved other men the wrong way. It is not true.
Some would say that HE loved women the wrong way and they would be wrong again. Too often those who don’t love Jesus say things that would condone their own bad behavior. Some have even written their version of the bible leaving out the verses that condemn this type of false love.
When this verse states that Jesus loved this family it was with a righteous love. The Bible uses the Greek word “agape” for this type of love that means that it is not earned it is just given. It is not a selfish love. It is not a sexual love. It is a love that shows friendship during good times and bad times.
Jesus loved this family and would do whatever HE could to show them HIS love according to the will of the Father. We are to show this type of love to each other as well. Our only limit is that we have to love according to the will of the Father. Our way of knowing what this means is to pass our love over to the Holy Spirit through prayer and HE will give us what we should do in any given situation. When we go through the Holy Spirit, HE will reveal to us what we should do that would bring glory to the Father.
CHALLENGE: When Jesus resurrected Lazarus it brought glory to both the Father and the Son. Our works should do the same!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 16 Then said Tomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with HIM. (4827 “fellow disciples” [summathetes] means fellow-pupil, a disciple of the same teacher as one’s self, fellow-follower, those who were disciples even as he was, or co-learner)
DEVOTION: This is the first time we hear Thomas make a comment regarding an event as his time as a disciple. We have his name listed when the disciples are named earlier. We have him going on a mission trip with the other disciples. So he is a man called of Jesus to be one of HIS twelve disciples.
He has observed all the miracles of Jesus. He has observed all that was happening between Jesus and the religious leaders. He has been involved in the discussions between the disciples.
Now we have his statement regarding going to Judea again after the Jews had threatened to kill Jesus the next chance they were given. He seems to be set on a negative course even before his comments to Christ after HIS resurrection.
He made another negative statement to Jesus in chapter fourteen regarding not knowing the way that Jesus was going.
Here in this verse he has just learned that Jesus was going to Judea to deal with Lazarus. What was his thought? He thought they were going to all be killed by the religious leaders. He just seemed to have a negative personality.
Are there people in our churches that have a negative attitude like Thomas? No matter what is proposed they find the negative statement that could cause others to be discouraged.
Remember that this is Jesus HIMSELF leading them to Bethany. He was following the right leader. He was doing the right ministry. Yet he found a reason to be negative.
If Jesus is leading we should get out of HIS way and let HIM lead no matter what. Negative is not always wrong but it can be if it shows lack of faith in what God is able to do through your church or mission group.
CHALLENGE: Trust in the LORD to lead in the right direction.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. (1690 “groaned” [embrimaomai] means to charge with earnest admonition, sternly to charge, threatened to enjoin, murmur against, feel strongly, be deeply moved, or have an intense feeling of concern)
DEVOTION: It is thought that Jesus was righteously angry. What was he angry about? It seems that he was angry that sin causes death. HE was fighting Satan. HE was also fighting the people who were faking their weeping over Lazarus.
Jesus was close to this family. HE had people HE was concerned about here in this world. This was a family that HE cared about. HE had a love for them, like HE had for the rest of the world. HE died so that there can be a resurrection for those who believe. They will go to heaven because of HIS death on the cross.
HE told Martha that HE is the resurrection and the life. She believed in HIM. She knew that Lazarus would be raised in the last days. HE told her that it could be sooner.
HE went to the grave and told them to remove the stone. HE called Lazarus out of the grave by name. IF HE hadn’t used his name the whole graveyard could have been emptied.
Does it make us righteously angry that Satan is winning some of our family members to continue to be on his side? Are we disturbed that people are dying around us and going to Hell for eternity? Jesus didn’t like it. HE did something about it.
Are we willing to do something about it? We have people in this world that are of great concern to us. There is our family. There are friends. In my case there are churches that I help that I am concerned about their growth and witness in the LORD. There are family members of those who receive the devotionals that I have a concern over and pray for their salvation.
We have people who are concerned about us. Do we have people we would and do weep over?
Jesus wants us to be involved with the people around us. HE was involved. HE was deeply involved. HE knew that God’s name was going to be glorified through the raising of Lazarus from the dead. God will be glorified if we are involved in the lives of people around us in a meaningful way. HE wanted us to realize that HE has the power to raise people from the dead. This includes those who are spiritually dead.
We serve a powerful Savior. We serve a loving Savior. We are his representatives in this world. How are we doing? Do we care enough to weep?
CHALLENGE: Have a prayer list of those who need to become followers of Christ and pray daily for their salvation. I have such a prayer list and especially pray for two men: Darwin and Tony. There were two other men on the list that have made a commitment to the LORD since being on my list. These are men whose wife was saved but they were not.
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: 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. (5117 “place” [topos] means room, spot, possibility, an area of space, opportunity, station, power, occasion for acting, or temple)
DEVOTION: Jesus had brought Lazarus back from the dead. It was one of the greatest miraculous sign of HIS power. This caused many to believe in HIM. HIS following in Jerusalem was growing faster than the Sanhedrin could spread lies about HIM.
They called a special meeting to deal with this issue. They were afraid that if HE became more powerful the Romans would take away their position of influence over the area. They were also afraid that the Romans would destroy the Temple.
Fear was gripping them to the point where they could only think of one thing to do and that was to kill Jesus. The high priest spoke up to give them a solution. One man had to die for them to keep their power. In fact he stated that it was the best way to handle the situation.
From that day on that was all they thought about. They were continually gathering to make plans. Of course, Judas met with them on one of those gatherings. What joy they expressed when he showed up.
Today we find that churches think that they need to do something to cause their churches never go out of existence. They put money aside for a rainy day instead of trusting the LORD to raise new funds for each ministry they have that honors the LORD.
There are boards that get together for the removal of a pastor they think is reaching out to the wrong people or spending too much money on things they don’t think is important but that is reaching people for the LORD. Another idea they can come up with is to stop supporting missionaries and just use the money at home to keep their church going. The possibilities are endless when it comes to protecting their church from going out of existence. The problem boards need to let the LORD decide how long a church should exist.
CHALLENGE: Human plotting never hurts the plans of God. Leaders need to yield to the LORD at all times. Remember the challenges to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Martha knew Jesus could ask God for life verse 22
Jesus communicates with Father verse 41, 42
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Mary worshiped Jesus verse 32
Passover verse 55, 56
Temple verse 56
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Father verse 22, 41
Father hears Son verse 41, 42
Father sent Son verse 42
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Raising of Lazarus from dead verse 1- 45
Lord verse 2, 3, 12, 21, 27, 32, 34, 39
Jesus verse 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 30, 32, 33, 35, 38- 41, 44, 46, 51, 54, 56
Son of God verse 4, 27
Glorified verse 4, verse 5, verse 8, 28
Master
Father grants Son’s requests verse 22
I AM the resurrection and the life verse 25
Christ verse 27
Groaned in the spirit verse 33, 38 Troubled verse 33
Wept verse 35
Jesus loved Lazarus verse 36
Man verse 37, 47,50
Miracles verse 47
Jesus die for the nation verse 51
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God verse 4, 22, 40, 52
Glory of God verse 4 , 40
Children of God verse 52
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Romans verse 48
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
No light verse 10
Doubt verse 16
Pride verse 48
Kill Jesus verse 50, 51, 53, 57
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Love verse 3, 5, 36
Light verse 9, 10
Believe verse 15, 25- 27, 40, 42, 45, 48
Comfort verse 19, 31
Life verse 25, 26
Confession verse 27
Worship verse 32
Prayer verse 41, 42
Resurrection verse 43
Miracles verse 47
Purify verse 55
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Lazarus verse 1- 45
Bethany verse 1, 18
Mary verse 1, 2, 5, 19, 20, 28, 31, 45
Martha verse 1, 5, 19- 30, 39,
Judaea verse 7
Jews verse 8, 19, 31, 33, 36, 45, 54
Jerusalem verse 18, 55
Jews believed verse 45
Pharisees verse 46, 47, 57
Chief priests verse 47, 57
Council verse 47, 53
Place of Jews verse 48
Nation of Jews verse 48, 50
Caiaphas (high priest) verse 49
Children of God verse 52
Church (New Testament people of God)
Disciples verse 7, 8, 12
Thomas (Didymus) verse 16
Fellow disciples verse 16
Last Things (Future Events)
Death verse 13, 14, 21, 25, 32, 39, 41, 44
Resurrection verse 24
Last day verse 24
Never die verse 26
Grave verse 31, 38
Grave clothes verse 44
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QUOTES regarding passage
33–35 The response of Jesus to this calamity illustrates his human and divine natures. Up to this point he had been perfectly calm, assuring Martha that her brother would rise and asserting that he was the resurrection and the life. He was completely in command of the situation and challenged Martha’s faith. But when Mary appeared, crushed with sorrow and accompanied by the waiting mourners, Jesus was moved with deep emotion. His feeling is expressed by three words: “deeply moved,” “troubled” (v. 33), and “wept” (v. 35). The first of these (enebrimēsato) means literally “to snort like a horse” and generally connotes anger. It could not have indicated displeasure with the sisters whom he was trying to comfort and for whom he felt the strongest compassion. Perhaps it expressed his resentment against the ravages of death that had entered the human world because of sin.
The second word, “troubled” (etaraxen), expresses agitation, confusion, or disorganization. Here it implies agitation rather than complete confusion. Jesus was not apathetic or unnerved by the prevailing mood of sorrow. Lazarus had been a beloved friend, and Jesus shared in the common feeling of grief over his death. His human feelings were normal and are revealed by the crisis of the moment. Overcome by emotion, he gave way to weeping. Williams’s translation reads: “Jesus burst into tears.” His grief was spontaneous. (Tenney, M. C. (1981). John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, p. 119). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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33. He groaned in the spirit (ἐνεβριμήσατο τῷ πνεύματι). See on Mark 1:43. The word for groaned occurs three times elsewhere: Matt. 9:30; Mark 1:43; 14:5. In every case it expresses a charge, or remonstrance, accompanied with a feeling of displeasure. On this passage there are two lines of interpretation, both of them assuming the meaning just stated. (1) Τῷ πνεύματι, the spirit, is regarded as the object of Jesus’ inward charge or remonstrance. This is explained variously: as that Jesus sternly rebuked the natural shrinking of His human spirit, and summoned it to the decisive conflict with death; or that He checked its impulse to put forth His divine energy at once. (2) Takes in the spirit, as representing the sphere of feeling, as 13:21; Mark 8:12; Luke 10:21. Some explain the feeling as indignation at the hypocritical mourning of the Jews, or at their unbelief and the sisters’ misapprehension; others as indignation at the temporary triumph of Satan, who had the power of death.
The interpretation which explains τῷ πνεύματι as the sphere of feeling is to be preferred. Comp. ver. 38, in himself. The nature of the particular emotion of Jesus must remain largely a matter of conjecture. Rev. renders, in margin, was moved with indignation in the spirit.
Was troubled (ἐτάραξεν ἑαυτὸν). Lit., troubled Himself. Probably of the outward manifestation of His strong feeling. (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 204). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)
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John 11:33
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping (Ἰησους οὐν ὡς εἰδεν αὐτην κλαιουσαν [Iēsous oun hōs eiden autēn klaiousan]). Proleptic position of “Jesus,” “Jesus therefore when he saw.” She was weeping at the feet of Jesus, not at the tomb. And the Jews also weeping (και τους Ἰουδαιους κλαιοντας [kai tous Ioudaious klaiontas]). Mary’s weeping was genuine, that of the Jews was partly perfunctory and professional and probably actual “wailing” as the verb κλαιω [klaiō] can mean. Κλαιω [Klaiō] is joined with ἀλαλαζω [alalazō] in Mark 5:38, with ὀλολυζω [ololuzō] in James 5:1, with θορυβεω [thorubeō] in Mark 5:39, with πενθεω [pentheō] in Mark 16:10. It was an incongruous combination. He groaned in the spirit (ἐνεβριμησατο τῳ πνευματι [enebrimēsato tōi pneumati]). First aorist middle indicative of ἐμβριμαομαι [embrimaomai], old verb (from ἐν [en], and βριμη [brimē], strength) to snort with anger like a horse. It occurs in the LXX (Dan. 11:30) for violent displeasure. The notion of indignation is present in the other examples of the word in the N. T. (Mark 1:43; 14:5; Matt. 9:30). So it seems best to see that sense here and in verse 38. The presence of these Jews, the grief of Mary, Christ’s own concern, the problem of the raising of Lazarus—all greatly agitated the spirit of Jesus (locative case τῳ πνευματι [tōi pneumati]). He struggled for self-control. Was troubled (ἐταραξεν ἑαυτον [etaraxen heauton]). First aorist active indicative of ταρασσω [tarassō], old verb to disturb, to agitate, with the reflexive pronoun, “he agitated himself” (not passive voice, not middle). “His sympathy with the weeping sister and the wailing crowd caused this deep emotion” (Dods). Some indignation at the loud wailing would only add to the agitation of Jesus. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 11:33). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
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11:33–34. In great contrast with the Greek gods’ apathy or lack of emotion, Jesus’ emotional life attests the reality of His union with people. Deeply moved may either be translated “groaned” or more likely “angered.” The Greek word enebrimēsato (from embrimaomai) seems to connote anger or sternness. (This Gr. verb is used only five times in the NT, each time of the Lord’s words or feelings: Matt. 9:30; Mark 1:43; 14:5; John 11:33, 38.)
Why was Jesus angry? Some have argued that He was angry because of the people’s unbelief or hypocritical wailing. But this seems foreign to the context. A better explanation is that Jesus was angry at the tyranny of Satan who had brought sorrow and death to people through sin (cf. 8:44; Heb. 2:14–15). Also Jesus was troubled (etaraxen, lit., “stirred” or “agitated,” like the pool water in John 5:7; cf. 12:27; 13:21; 14:1, 27). This disturbance was because of His conflict with sin, death, and Satan. (Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 314). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled” (John 11:33). The Greek word here for “groaned” is expressive of deep feeling, sometimes of sorrow, more often of indignation. In this instance the Holy Spirit has recorded the cause of Christ’s groaning—it was the sight of Mary and her comforters weeping. He was here in the midst of a groaning creation, which sighed and travailed over that which sin had brought in. And this He felt acutely. The original suggests that He was distressed to the extremest degree: moved to a holy indignation and sorrow at the terrific brood which sin had borne. Agitated by a righteous detestation of what evil had wrought in the world. “And was troubled” is, more literally, “he troubled himself”; He caused Himself to be troubled by what made others weep and wail. And how this “groaning” and “troubling of himself” brings out the perfections of the incarnate Son! He would not raise Lazarus until He had entered in spirit into the solemnity of the awfulness of death. Mark 8:12 intimates that the miracles which He performed cost Him something. Plainer still is the testimony of Matthew 8:17: “himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses”—He felt the burden of sickness before He removed it. (Pink, A. W. (1923–1945). Exposition of the Gospel of John (p. 605). Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot.)
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11:33, 34 Groaned means to be deeply moved. Troubled means to be stirred up, disturbed. Jesus was moved by the mourning of Mary and indignant at the hypocritical lamentations of His enemies. (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 1341). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
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We note, first, what he saw (11:33a): “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her.…” The word for “weeping” means “to wail.” All around him Jesus could see these almost passionate expressions of grief. He had come from a land where there is no sin and therefore no sorrow, where there are no tombs and no tears. His home was far away, a land of eternal bliss, a land of “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” He had been on earth for thirty-three years. He had seen many tears, helped heal many broken hearts.
But these were his special friends. Their home had been his home. Many a time he had relaxed there with Lazarus and his sisters—Martha busy and bustling about preparing this, offering that, ministering to his comfort; Mary thoughtful, earnest, and eager to learn. Now Lazarus was dead and the sisters desolate. Instead of the happy buzz of conversation and occasional bursts of laughter, there were tears.
We note what he suffered (11:33b): “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.” The word for “groaned” is embrimaomai, meaning “to be deeply agitated.” The word literally means “to snort,” as a horse does from fear or anger. It is used in the New Testament to indicate displeasure or indignation. It is used, for instance, to describe the indignation some persons felt at what they considered the waste of a rare and costly ointment poured over Jesus’ head in the house of Simon the leper at Bethany (Mark 14:4). The Lord felt indignation and outrage at what death had done.
He was “troubled.” That is, he literally shook with emotion. He was so moved it caused his body to tremble with indignation and grief. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary (Jn 11:33–35). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp)
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Ver. 33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, &c.] At his feet, who, for sorrow and grief of heart, could say no more to him; but having expressed these words, burst out into floods of tears: and the Jews also weeping, which came with her; either through sympathy with her, or hypocritically: he groaned in the spirit; in his human soul; and which shews, that he had a real human soul, subject to passions, though sinless ones. The word signifies an inward motion of the mind, through indignation and anger; and it may be partly at the weakness of Mary’s faith, and at her immoderate sorrow; and partly at the hypocrisy of the Jews: or else this inward groaning was through grief, sympathizing with Mary, and her friends, his human soul being touched with a fellow-feeling of their griefs and sorrows: and was troubled; or troubled himself; threw himself into some forms and gestures of sorrow, and mourning, as lifting up his eyes, wringing his hands, and changing the form of his countenance. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 28). London: Mathews and Leigh)
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FROM MY READING:
After Jesus heard of Lazarus’s illness, He remained in Perea two more days, purposefully returning after Lazarus had been dead four days. Jews believed that the soul hovered around the body for three days after death; during that time there was still hope. After three days all hope was gone. Then Jesus arrived.
When Jesus approached Lazarus’s tomb, “He was deeply moved” (v.33), an expression connoting anger, like the snorting of horses (Cleon Rogers Jr. and Cleon Rogers III, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament). (March 28, Living New Testament by Paul Enns)
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James 1
Some trials come into a Christian’s life to bring that individual to spiritual maturity.
INSIGHT
When we read “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (v. 2), we can mentally assent to the wisdom of that. But in real life, when the duration and intensity of our trials goes beyond what we deem to be reasonable, we pass the point of caring. We begin to question the goodness of God. We question the rationality of the Christian life. We just want relief. By the grace of God we must accept that we are finally experiencing what James is talking about. Take courage. Be strong. God has not forgotten you. And as He is testing you, you will become spiritually mature – though you probably will perceive the growth only in retrospect. (Quiet Walk)
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WHAT MAKES US CHRISTIAN?
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1 John 5:1
The New Testament at once shows us the total inadequacy of the common, current version of what constitutes a Christian. The New Testament terms are regeneration, a new creation, being born again. What makes men and women Christians is something that is done to them by God, not something they do themselves: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” And then, “Every one that loveth him that begat….” God, according to John, is the one who begets us; it is God’s action, not ours.
Now we need to take time in emphasizing the obvious contrast in each of these subdivisions. How ready we are to think of being a Christian as the result of something we do! I live a good life—therefore I am a Christian; I go to a place of worship—therefore I am a Christian; I do not do certain things—therefore I am a Christian; I believe—therefore I am a Christian. The whole emphasis is upon myself, upon what I do. Whereas here, at the very beginning of the New Testament definition of a Christian, the entire emphasis is not upon man and his activity, but upon God. He who begat, He who produced, He who generates, He who gives life and being. Thus we see we cannot be a Christian at all unless God has done something to us.
But I go beyond that and say that what makes us a Christian is something that makes us like God. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” That “of” is an important word; it means “out of God”; this is one who has received something of God Himself.
A Thought to Ponder: We cannot be a Christian at all unless God has done something to us. (From Life in God pp. 12-13, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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White as Snow
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” (Daniel 7:9)
In this amazing vision of the everlasting God on His fiery judgment throne, we find one of the six occurrences in the Bible of the fascinating phrase “white as snow.” As the symbol of holiness, pure white finds its clearest natural expression in the beautiful snow when it has freshly covered the ground.
Twice the phrase is used to describe the cleansing of a guilty sinner by the grace of God. David, after confessing his own sin, prayed: “Have mercy upon me, O God. . . . Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. . . . wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:1-2, 7). Then, God promises through His prophet: “Come now, and let us reason together, . . . though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). The cleansing blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, is the only substance that can turn blood-red scarlet into snowy white.
When Christ ascended the Mount of Transfiguration, “his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow” (Mark 9:3), which confirmed to the three disciples that He was the Son of God, even as the voice from heaven had said (Matthew 17:5). At the empty tomb following His resurrection, “the angel of the Lord” also had “raiment white as snow” (Matthew 28:3). Finally, when John saw Christ in His glorified body, he testified that “his head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” (Revelation 1:14).
It is marvelous that the raiment of the angel of God, the transfigured Christ, and the Ancient of days, as well as the head of Christ in His glory, are all described with the same phrase as the soul of one whose sins are forgiven!
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Psalm 147
Being raised in Western New York I have been through many blizzards, experienced an earthquake and unfortunately been through a house fire. I find that it is easier to praise the Lord after a crisis is over than to take time immediately during the crisis to reflect on how God has manifested Himself. Looking back, His handprint becomes evident.
This psalm is by an unknown writer that is looking at the way the Lord has graciously provided for the people after their captivity and exile. After the devastation and grief of being conquered, this psalm is broken into three sections.
Verses 1-6: The people began to give praise in recognition of God’s works of restoration.
Verses 7-11: The refreshment of the land
Verses 12-20: His word was revealed to the nation.
This could have been at the time of Nehemiah when the people finished rebuilding the walls and consecrated the city and themselves to the Lord (Nehemiah 7-12).
Out of desolation and ruin, the people saw how God had healed and humbled them so that they would be His people again. Amid great suffering, the Lord revealed His power and care for the people He calls His own. He tenderly reminds the inhabitants of Jerusalem of His promises, power and ability to bring peace and prosperity back to those under His care.
When tragedy and unexpected storms come into our lives, we are often consumed with the immediate traumas of the moment. Struggling to meet demands with essential elements like food and shelter become imperative during that time. It is after the crisis that we see how the Lord protected, provided and His word proved to be true!
Wherever you may be in your walk this week, take time to reflect upon how God faithfully cares for His people before, during and after the storm!
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
With an Expectant hope, Pastor Miller
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