Power over Life and Death

John 11
Who or what has power over life
and death?
Viruses and Bacteria

Shaman and Witch Doctors

Doctors and Scientists

Political Rulers

Atomic Energy

Insurance Companies
Jacob "Jack" Kevorkian
aka "Dr. Death"
The Illness and Death of Lazarus
(11:1-16)


The Illness and Death of Lazarus
(11:1-16)
A delay here does not in any way compromise the
love Jesus has for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (3, 5).

Gods sovereign timing is perfect even if we
sometimes think Hes too late to make a difference
(6, 15).

Jesus is well aware of the situation at hand,
demonstrating:

His divine omniscience
His unique relationship to God the Father as the incarnate
divine Son
His clear understanding of His mission here on earth.
The Illness and Death of Lazarus
(11:1-16)

Jesus said, This sickness will not end
in death. No, it is for Gods glory so
that Gods Son may be glorified
through it.

John 11:4
Jesus is the Resurrection and
the Life (11:17-45)
Martha believes (as does Maryverse 32)
that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would
not have died (21).

Even though Lazarus is dead, Martha still
trusts in Jesus (22).

Martha believes Lazarus will be raised from
the dead at the end of the age (24).
Jesus is the Resurrection and
the Life (11:17-45)
I am the Resurrection and the Life
(25).

He who believes in me will live even
though he dies (25).

Whoever lives and believes in me will
never die. (26).
Jesus is the Resurrection and
the Life (11:17-45)
Yes, Lord, . . . I believe that you are the
Christ, the Son of God who was to
come into the world.
John 11:27

You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.
Matthew 16:16
Jesus is the Resurrection and
the Life (11:17-45)
Two Important Implications:

Because Jesus has power over life and death,
His ability to raise Lazarus from the dead is a
clear indication of His divine nature.

Because Jesus can raise Lazarus from the dead,
He demonstrates in advance His ability to
actuate His previous claim in John 10:17-18 to
have authority over His own life and death.
Lazarus,
come out!
Jesus is the Resurrection and
the Life (11:17-45)
Therefore, many of the Jews who had
come to visit Mary, and had seen what
Jesus did, put their faith in him.

John 11:45
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
A Stark Contrast:

The Faith and Joy of the Jewish People

The Fear and Anger of the Jewish Leaders
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
A Serious Irony:

Jesus has just raised a man from the dead.

The Jewish leaders somehow believe they
have the power and authority to kill Jesus.
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
If we let him go on like this, everyone
will believe in him and then the Romans
will come and take away both our place
and our nation.

John 11:48
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
Jesus uses His supernatural power to
bring life out of death.

The Jewish leaders want to use their
earthly power to bring death out of life.

We far too often prefer to be little gods
in this life rather than servants of the
most high God in the next.
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
You do not realize that it is better for
you that one man die for the people
than that the whole nation perish.

John 11:50
The Political Plot to Kill Jesus
(11:46-57)
[Caiaphas] prophesied that Jesus
would die for the Jewish nation, and
not only for that nation but also for the
scattered children of God, to bring
them together and make them one.

John 11:51-52
Conclusion and Application
In whom or what do you put your hope?

Wealth and Things?

Heritage and Fame?

Denial and Plastic Surgery?

False Religion or Personal Achievement?
John 11:25-26
I am the resurrection and the life. He
who believes in me will live, even
though he dies; and whoever lives and
believes in me will never die.

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?