LESSON III.—SABBATH, JANUARY 16, 1897
THE SICKNESS AND DEATH OF LAZARUS.
1 "Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judea again. 8 The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. 11 These things spake he; and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover. 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death; but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow disciples, Let us go also, that we may die with him." - Who was sick? Where did he live? How was the town known?
- Through what event was the family well-known?
- What message was sent to Jesus?
- When Jesus learned of the condition of Lazarus, what did he say?
- In what way is the affliction of Jesus for the family mentioned?
- In what way did he apparently disregard the message which had been sent to him?
- How did he respond to it afterwards?
- How did his disciples attempt to dissuade him from his purpose?
- With what question did Jesus reply to them?
- What is true of one who walks in the day? Why?
- What is the experience of one who walks in the night? Why?
- What statement did Jesus then make concerning the condition of the sick man?
- What was the purpose of his going to Judea?
- What reply did the disciples make?
- What did they understand from his statement?
- How did he make his meaning perfectly clear to them?
- How did he feel about his absence from the scene?
- What was the purpose of all this? What course does Jesus now urge?
- How did one of his disciples respond?
1. "THE eleventh is in some respects the great central chapter of this Gospel of life—even as it does indeed happen to be also literally the central chapter." "The ten chapters which precede have served to indicate how Jesus revealed himself to the Jews in every aspect that was likely to win faith, and how each fresh revelation only served to embitter them against him, and harden their unbelief into hopeless hostility." 2. "WHEN Mary and Martha sent to Jesus, their message was—not, Lord, he who loveth thee, but—'Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.' It is not my imperfect love to him which comforts me, but his perfect love to me." 3. "THE Lord loves thee, and yet he tarries with his consolation! Be still, my soul, for thou shalt yet praise him for having refused thee a smaller boon, that he might bestow upon thee a greater." "The persuasion of Christ's love must be graven in our hearts so deeply that no semblance of indifference on his part will ever make the slightest impression upon us. 'This is the victory that overcometh the world.'" 4. "IN the forefront of this marvelous chapter stands the affirmation, 'Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus,' as if to teach us that at the very heart and foundation of all God's dealings with us, however dark and mysterious they may be, we must dare to believe in and assert the infinite, unmerited, and unchanging love of God." 5. "IT agrees beautifully with divine decorum, that Scripture nowhere speaks of any one having died in the presence of the Prince of Life. If we suppose that death could not have assailed Lazarus when Jesus was near, the words of the two sisters gain a much more sublime signification, and the Lord's joy on account of his absence appears in a clearer light." Suggestions for Further Study.
- Note the wonderful power of inspiration for condensed statement. How many facts are mentioned in verse 1?
- What sometimes seems to men evidences of God's displeasure or of his neglect may be but the preliminary conditions for a special display of his power and glory. See John 9:3.
- What is the teaching of this lesson concerning the condition of man in death?
- What hint is given as to the relation between sleep and health?
- What is the true relation between faith and miracles?
- Jesus spoke of Lazarus as "our friend." Who are the friends of Jesus?
- How is life only in Christ taught in this lesson?