John 11:38-46

John 11:38-46

1. We should mark our Lord’s words about the stone which lay on the grave of Lazarus.
2. We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to Martha, when she objected to the stone being removed from the grave.
3. We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to God the Father when the stone was taken from the grave.
4. We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to Lazarus when He raised him from the grave.

"In doing spiritual good to others—in training up our children for heaven, in following after holiness in our own daily walk—in these things it is undoubtedly true that we are weak and helpless. Without Christ we can do nothing. But still we must remember that Christ expects us to do what we can."

"Let us pray for such stores of inward faith that when our turn comes to suffer, we may suffer patiently and believe all is well."

"Once more He would have them know that as the words which He spoke were the very words which the Father gave Him to speak, so the works which He did were the very works which the Father gave Him to do. In short, He was the promised Messiah, whom the Father always hears because He and the Father are One."

"Here was public proof that our Lord had absolute power over the material world! A corpse, already decaying, was made alive!"

Questions:

1. We see that Jesus, although he could have moved the stone by his own power, commanded that others move it. Ryle highlights that although we can do nothing on our own, God has ordained that we do what we can, and so find Christ's blessing in the doing. What blessings have you received this past week in your doing good that you would not have received if you stood idly by?
2. We read that Martha, a woman who loved Jesus and was full of faith, faltered when Jesus asked for the stone to be moved. Ryle challenges us that it is easy to talk of trusting Jesus when things are well, but O how it is tried in difficulty. Where are we at? Think back to your last trial, or the trial you may be in. How was/is trust for Christ evidenced?
3. We hear another evidence of Jesus being one with the Father as he declares they are one. Ryle points out that this isn't just some pie-in-the-sky theology but is one secret of inward comfort. How do we view deep truths like this? As essential for our comfort and joy, or as something that theologians care about?
4. Jesus brings life to a man dead and decaying, which is power that puts his divinity on display. This gives us great hope and confidence that, in Christ, we too shall be raised by His power, and gives us hope that those who are spiritually dead can live as well. Do we have this kind of confidence and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ?