Sun
Jun 22
1. JESUS IN BETHANY
a. Upon hearing that Jesus was coming to Bethany, what did Martha do and what conviction did she express? John 11:20–22.
“Among the mourning friends were relatives of the family, some of whom held high positions of responsibility in Jerusalem. Among these were some of Christ’s bitterest enemies. Christ knew their purposes, and therefore He did not at once make Himself known. The message was given to Martha so quietly that others in the room did not hear. . . .
“Martha hastened to meet Jesus, her heart agitated by conflicting emotions. In His expressive face she read the same tenderness and love that had always been there. Her confidence in Him was unbroken, but she thought of her dearly loved brother, whom Jesus also had loved. With grief surging in her heart because Christ had not come before, yet with hope that even now He would do something to comfort them, she said, ‘Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.’ Over and over again, amid the tumult made by the mourners, the sisters had repeated these words.
“With human and divine pity Jesus looked into her sorrowful, careworn face. Martha had no inclination to recount the past; all was expressed by the pathetic words, ‘Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.’ But looking into that face of love, she added, ‘I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 529, 530.
Mon
Jun 23
2. THE ULTIMATE PROMISE OF HOPE
a. Of what did Jesus assure Martha? John 11:23. What did she understand by this? John 11:24.
“Jesus encouraged her faith, saying, ‘Thy brother shall rise again.’ His answer was not intended to inspire hope of an immediate change. He carried Martha’s thoughts beyond the present restoration of her brother, and fixed them upon the resurrection of the just. This He did that she might see in the resurrection of Lazarus a pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead, and an assurance that it would be accomplished by the Saviour’s power.
“Martha answered, ‘I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, p. 530.
b. With what words did Jesus acknowledge Martha’s conviction? John 11:25; 1 John 5:12.
“Still seeking to give a true direction to her faith, Jesus declared, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. ‘He that hath the Son hath life.’ 1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the believer’s assurance of eternal life.”—Ibid.
c. What promise is the basis of our hope beyond the tomb, and how did Martha’s conviction relate to Christ’s miracle? John 5:26; 11:26, 27.
“Christ here looks forward to the time of His second coming. Then the righteous dead shall be raised incorruptible, and the living righteous shall be translated to heaven without seeing death. The miracle which Christ was about to perform, in raising Lazarus from the dead, would represent the resurrection of all the righteous dead. By His word and His works He declared Himself the Author of the resurrection. He who Himself was soon to die upon the cross stood with the keys of death, a conqueror of the grave, and asserted His right and power to give eternal life.”—Ibid.
Tue
Jun 24
3. JESUS WEEPS
a. Describe the actions and words of the grief-stricken Mary. John 11:28–32.
b. When Jesus saw Mary and some of the Jews weeping, what did Jesus do—and why? John 11:33–35.
“ ‘When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.’ He read the hearts of all assembled. He saw that with many, what passed as a demonstration of grief was only pretense. He knew that some in the company, now manifesting hypocritical sorrow, would erelong be planning the death, not only of the mighty miracle worker, but of the one to be raised from the dead. Christ could have stripped from them their robe of pretended sorrow. But He restrained His righteous indignation. The words He could in all truth have spoken, He did not speak, because of the loved one kneeling at His feet in sorrow, who truly believed in Him.
“ ‘Where have ye laid him?’ He asked, ‘They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.’ Together they proceeded to the grave. It was a mournful scene. Lazarus had been much beloved, and his sisters wept for him with breaking hearts, while those who had been his friends mingled their tears with those of the bereaved sisters. In view of this human distress, and of the fact that the afflicted friends could mourn over the dead while the Saviour of the world stood by—‘Jesus wept.’ Though He was the Son of God, yet He had taken human nature upon Him, and He was moved by human sorrow. His tender, pitying heart is ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. He weeps with those that weep, and rejoices with those that rejoice.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 533.
c. How is this moment in Jesus’ life to be an example for us? Romans 12:15.
“The wonderful example of Christ, the matchless tenderness with which He entered into the feelings of others, weeping with those who wept, rejoicing with those who rejoiced, must have a deep influence upon the character of all who follow Him in sincerity. By kindly words and acts they will try to make the path easy for weary feet.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 157, 158.
Wed
Jun 25
4. COOPERATION BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY
a. What command did Jesus give to those around Him? John 11:39 (first part). How did Martha react and what did Jesus say to her? John 11:39 (last part).
“When the Lord is about to do a work, Satan moves upon someone to object. ‘Take ye away the stone,’ Christ said. As far as possible, prepare the way for My work. But Martha’s positive and ambitious nature asserted itself. She was unwilling that the decomposing body should be brought to view. The human heart is slow to understand Christ’s words, and Martha’s faith had not grasped the true meaning of His promise.
“Christ reproved Martha, but His words were spoken with the utmost gentleness. ‘Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?’ Why should you doubt in regard to My power? Why reason in opposition to My requirements? You have My word. If you will believe, you shall see the glory of God. Natural impossibilities cannot prevent the work of the Omnipotent One. Skepticism and unbelief are not humility. Implicit belief in Christ’s word is true humility, true self-surrender.
“ ‘Take ye away the stone.’ Christ could have commanded the stone to remove, and it would have obeyed His voice. He could have bidden the angels who were close by His side to do this. At His bidding, invisible hands would have removed the stone. But it was to be taken away by human hands. Thus Christ would show that humanity is to cooperate with divinity. What human power can do divine power is not summoned to do. God does not dispense with man’s aid. He strengthens him, cooperating with him as he uses the powers and capabilities given him.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 535.
b. What words of Christ gently rebuke our unbelief today? John 11:40.
“Many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief. . . . They plan and devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize their own need, or God’s willingness to give, they do not persevere in keeping their requests before the Lord.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 145, 146.
Thu
Jun 26
5. JESUS RESURRECTS LAZARUS
a. What prayer did Jesus offer beside the sepulcher? John 11:41, 42.
“The command is obeyed. The stone is rolled away. Everything is done openly and deliberately. All are given a chance to see that no deception is practiced. There lies the body of Lazarus in its rocky grave, cold and silent in death. The cries of the mourners are hushed. Surprised and expectant, the company stand around the sepulcher, waiting to see what is to follow. . . .
“Here Christ claims God as His Father, and with perfect confidence declares that He is the Son of God.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 535, 536.
b. With what words did Jesus resurrect Lazarus? John 11:43. What happened immediately? John 11:44.
“[Christ’s] voice, clear and penetrating, pierces the ear of the dead. As He speaks, divinity flashes through humanity. In His face, which is lighted up by the glory of God, the people see the assurance of His power. Every eye is fastened on the entrance to the cave. Every ear is bent to catch the slightest sound. With intense and painful interest all wait for the test of Christ’s divinity, the evidence that is to substantiate His claim to be the Son of God, or to extinguish the hope forever.
“There is a stir in the silent tomb, and he who was dead stands at the door of the sepulcher. . . . Humanity is to work for humanity. Lazarus is set free, and stands before the company, not as one emaciated from disease, and with feeble, tottering limbs, but as a man in the prime of life, and in the vigor of a noble manhood. His eyes beam with intelligence and with love for his Saviour. He casts himself in adoration at the feet of Jesus.”—Ibid., p. 536.
Fri
Jun 27
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe the confidence that the sisters of Lazarus had in Jesus.
2. What did Jesus promise to Martha, to Mary, and to all believers?
3. Why did Jesus weep?
4. How did humanity cooperate with divinity in this miracle?
5. Describe the actions of Lazarus upon the call of Jesus.