John 11 – Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

Subscribe

Apple Podcast Google Podcast Spotify Pocket Casts RSS Link

R.A.M.P. (READ-APPLY-MEMORIZE-PRAY)

This is what I READ:

• Jesus said Lazarus was sick so that God would be glorified (vs 4).
• Jesus was “glad” that Lazarus died, because His work/miracle would lead to their belief in Him (as the Messiah) (vs 14).
• Jesus – “I am the resurrection and the life.” Anyone who believes in Him will live, even after dying (vs 25).
• When Jesus saw the mourning, He was angry (vs 33).
• Jesus was still angry when He arrived at the tomb (vs 38).
• Jesus – “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (vs 40).
• Jesus prays to the Father and does the miracle “SO THAT” they would believe He was sent by God (vs 42).

The miracles of Jesus served a purpose. Many times He was demonstrating by miracles that He was the Messiah, so that people would believe in Him. Four times in this chapter, Jesus communicates the necessity of believing:

1. “I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe.”
2. “Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
3. “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believed?”
4. “I said it out loud… so that they will believe You sent me.”

Believing in Jesus does not merely mean believing that He existed. Rather it means believing His claims by faith:

• that Jesus is God (and that He performed miracles to prove it)
• that He lived a perfect (sinless) life
• that He died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins
• that He rose from the dead
• that He is offering us the gift of forgiveness and hope of a resurrection to eternal life

In the story of Lazarus, Jesus was angry with the mourning. He was angry when He saw the tomb. Why? I think it was because He saw unbelief. After all He had done – after all the miracles – after such amazing displays of His power – the people were still slow to believe that He could do anything, even raise the dead.

APPLY:
I wonder if I sometimes have the same unbelieving heart. I know what scripture teaches about Jesus. I’ve seen Him work so many times in my life – and still I freak out when hard things come, or I choose things that are far less than Jesus.

MEDITATE:
Hebrews 3:12-13 – “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still called “today,” so that non of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”

PRAY:
Jesus keep my heart tender toward you – help me believe everything You said, and live like it’s true.

Today we’re reading John 11 from the New Living Translation.
Listen now – today is your “On Ramp!”
Shawn.

Ps –
Check out our sponsor – Compassion International – and help release children from poverty in Jesus’ name!

• The On Ramp + World’s Biggest Small Group have teamed up to create the “John 21 Day Reset” study. Get started today for free!
• Get more fun & meaningful content like this at Hope Nation.
• If you need prayer, you can share online here, or call 281-652-5555 (Mon-Fri, 7a-9p Central).

The On Ramp is a podcast production from Hope Media Group.