November 19, 2023 | Dr. Gary Hylander
Passage: John 11:38-57
In John 5:25, Jesus said Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. The story of Lazarus is a physical illustration of this spiritual reality. The raising of Lazarus provides evidence to Christ’s claim that I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (11:25).
In the passage we are examining today, notice the stress placed upon belief in Christ by the Apostle John. In 11:40, Jesus asked, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? When reading 11:42, we note that Jesus’ intent when praying to the Father was that they may believe that you sent me. As we examine 11:45, we are told that many believed in him. Christ’s opponents, in 11:48, were fearful that everyone will believe in him. As we conclude our series on the Seven Signs, note the sign performed by Christ in this passage and how it is in keeping with the purpose stated in John 20:30-31.
As The One Who Is The Resurrection And The Life, Note. . .
- The Authority Demonstrated By Jesus Christ. (38-44)
- The Hostility Generated Toward Jesus Christ. (45-57)
Series Information
The Seven Signs is a short series in the book of John. The term signs is the English translation of the Greek word semeion (σημεῖον), which is the word John used for miracle. The reason why the Apostle John placed emphasis upon signs is addressed in 20:30-31, which states...
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
