John
11:1-44 - Everything is moving on towards Christ’s death
and resurrection. On His way to the Cross, Jesus performs a mighty
miracle – the raising of Lazarus (43-44) – which points unmistakably to
an even greater miracle – His own resurrection (Acts 2:24). Accompanying
this miracle – the raising of Lazarus – , we have Jesus’ great
declaration concerning Himself: ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he
who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives
and believes in Me shall never die’ (25). His words are immediately
followed by the question: ‘Do you believe this?’ (26). This question is
put to each of us. Jesus waits for the answer of faith: ‘Yes, Lord I
believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God…’(27). This
is ‘for the glory of God’ – receiving new life from ‘the Son of God…’
(4).
11:45-12:36 – The Pharisees are developing their wicked plan.
God is fulfilling His saving purpose (49-53). The voice of ‘common
sense’ is not always the voice of the Lord (4-6). There is a higher
wisdom than ‘common sense’. We are to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
He leads us to put Jesus at the centre of our lives. Jesus is not
suggesting that the poor are unimportant. He is emphasising that we must
not lose sight of Him. If our concern for the poor is not truly
grounded in devotion to Christ, it is not the obedience of faith (8).
The Pharisees are lying in wait for Jesus. They say, ‘The world has
gone after Him’ (19). They are going after Him too – in a different way!
The crucifixion draws near. God is to be ‘glorified’ in the defeat of
Satan and the salvation of sinners (28,31-32). Jesus had ‘come’ for this
‘hour’ (27).
12:37-13:20 - The Pharisees continue to exert their
evil influence. ‘For fear of the Pharisees’, many remained silent,
‘loving the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (42-43). Whatever
the opposition, Jesus calls us to believe in Him and confess Him
(Romans 10:9). He calls us out of darkness into light (46). If you are a
believer, come out into the open. Make it known that you belong to
Christ. Do not only read God’s Word for yourself. Speak His Word to
others (50). The ‘hour’ of Jesus’ suffering draws near. Satan is busy.
Jesus is in control (1-3). It is the ‘hour’ of His love. We are ‘washed’
in His precious blood (8; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14). What God has
done for us comes before what we ‘ought to ‘do for others. Jesus is our
Saviour before He is our ‘Example’ (14-15). Knowing Him, let us do His
will (17).
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