THE ESSENCE OF DEATH IS
HOW DID
HANDLE
?
John 11:17-32
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (less than two miles away). 19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Yet even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23 “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies,will live.” 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.” 28 Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.
30 Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.
32 As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!”
Notice Mary and Martha’s reaction to death:
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” (v21 & v32)
THEY WERE
THEY WERE
THEY WERE IN
THEY WERE GROWING
THEY WERE LOSING
33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying,
he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled.
34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.
“Lord,” they told him, “come and see.”
35 Jesus wept.
Notice Jesus’ reaction to death:
HE WAS
HE WAS
THE SINLESS SON OF GOD
“JESUS WASNT TROUBLED, DEEPLY MOVED, AND WEEPING BECAUSE HE DIDNT HAVE THE POWER OVER DEATH…NO, HE WEPT BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM.
HE UNDERSTOOD THEIR PAIN AND GRIEF.” —-Will Small
APPLICATION
Even when death separates you from a loved one,
BECAUSE OF
,
IS NOT THE END!
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BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS
LIFE GROUP LEADERS: TAKE ATTENDANCE!!
(Use the Church Center App)
1) What blessed you the most from Sunday’s message?
2) If you feel comfortable, share with your group how you process death.
3) In John 11:21 & 32, both Martha and Mary separately tell Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Have you ever felt like this in your own life, wondering why God didn’t intervene in a difficult situation sooner? How can we maintain faith and trust in God even in times of delay or apparent silence?
4) In John 11:32, Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and expresses her grief and frustration. Jesus doesn’t rebuke her for her emotions but rather shows compassion. How does this passage reveal the balance between expressing our emotions honestly before God and trusting in His greater purposes?
5) How does the concept of life after death, through Jesus, impact the way we live and make decisions in our present lives?
6) Pray each other, your church, and for those who are grieving. Let Christ be your example in your actions with others going through the loss of a loved one.