Slides for Session 5

SESSION 5
• Raising of Lazarus
(Jn 11:1-54)
• Context
• Background
• 7 Scenes
• The Aftermath
CONTEXT
• “What came into being in the Word was life…” (1:4)
• Jesus gives living water (4:10)… gushing up to eternal
life (4:14)
• The Son gives life to whomever he wishes (5:21)
• Jesus is the bread of life (6:35)
• But Jesus gives life at the cost of his own death – the
good shepherd (10:11, 15, 17, 18)
BACKGROUND
• OT idea of life beyond the grave:
o Bodily resurrection (Dan 12:2; 2 Macc 12:43-44)
o Immortality (Wis 3:2-4; 5:15)
o Elijah (1 Kg 17:17-24); Elisha (2 Kg 4:18-37)
• NT
o Rich man wants to inherit eternal life (Mk 10:17)
o Jesus raises son of widow of Nain & Jairus’
daughter (Lk 7:11-17; Mk 5:21-43)
o “Tell John what you hear & see… the dead are
raised” (Mt 11:5; Lk 7:22)
o Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42)
7 SCENES
1. Lazarus is ill; message sent to Jesus, his reaction
(11:1-4)
2. Deliberation with disciples: To Judea or not? (11:516)
3. Jesus’ arrival at Bethany; the scene there
(11:17-19)
4. Jesus & Martha (11:20-27)
5. Jesus & Mary (11:28-32)
6. Raising of Lazarus (11:33-44)
7. Reaction to the Raising (11:45-46)
Aftermath: Plot against Jesus (11:47-54)
1. THE SITUATION
• Characters introduced
• Anointing of Jesus – mutual love & affection
• Sisters inform Jesus of a need (cf 2:3)
• “This illness is not to end in death…the glory of God”
• Jesus is “the Son of God”
• “Lord” & “love”
2. CHOICE: JUDEA OR NOT?
• Why did Jesus delay? (11:4)
• “Let us go back to Judea” (10:31, 39)
• Jesus’ figure of speech on the light
• “Lazarus is asleep” – disciples’ response
• “Let us go to him” – Thomas’ response
3. ARRIVAL AT BETHANY
• Lazarus has been in
the tomb for four
days
• Bethany was near
Jerusalem
4. JESUS & MARTHA
• “Lord, if you had been here, my brother
would not have died.” Martha’s faith.
• The resurrection of the dead
o God’s ultimate victory over sin & death
o God’s justice
• “I am the resurrection & the life”
• Martha’s Confession of faith
5. JESUS & MARY
• Language of the good
shepherd
• The Jews follow Mary
• Mary falls at Jesus’ feet
& begins to weep
6. RAISING OF LAZARUS
• Jesus became perturbed & deeply troubled
• Johannine agony scene
• Mourners are divided at sight of Jesus
• If you believe then you will see
• Prayer to the Father
• The grave clothes
7. REACTION
• Two reactions
o Some begin to
believe
o Others go to the
Pharisees
• Striking irony
AFTERMATH
• The Plot against
Jesus (11:47-54)
• Dilemma of
authorities
• The purpose of
Jesus’ death
RAISING OF LAZARUS
CARAVAGGIO (c.1609)
NEXT WEEK
• JOHN 14:1-31
“No need to
fear…”