I did not mention the fact that twice the New Testament tells us the naked truth about the motive behind Jesus’ murder on Calvary.

In Matthew 27:18 the “hearts” of the chief priests and elders of Israel are made manifest: “For envy they had delivered Jesus.” They wanted Him dead, because He was interfering with their money-making schemes at the Temple! (Mark 15:10 repeats that fact.)

Ungodly!

The love of money!

The Pharisees and their company (the chief priests, both Annas and Caiaphas, Father and Son-in-law) were … “Plotting the Death of the One (Jesus, Son of God) Who had just conquered Death!” By raising Lazarus from the grave! (I love that quote.)

Israel’s wicked leaders (haters of Jesus) were unknowingly fulfilling Psalm 2:2 … “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed (Messiah).”

Their wrath against Jesus will ultimately put Him on the Cross. But (again, unknowingly) they were aiding in God’s Plan to save lost sinners! Yes, Psalm 76:10 right before our eyes: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”

Wow!

One can truly say that wicked politicians killed Jesus, at least from a human point of view. We in America are probably just beginning to see history repeat itself … as persecution begins against us Christians. Political reprobation! It’s coming!

It looks to me like Caiaphas was preaching (ignorantly) an “unlimited Atonement!”

“The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

One of my favorite commentators said: “When “trust in Jesus” has occurred, an event has reached its goal!” What higher aspiration is there? Than a sinner being saved, born again?

Balaam, a false Prophet, said some things he did not really mean. (He blessed Israel when he had been hired to curse Israel!) Likewise, Caiaphas meant harm to Jesus, but he actually glorified our dear Lord!

“Being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die FOR that nation; and not FOR that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” John 11:51-52, the English preposition “for” is spelled “huper” in Greek, meaning “in the place of,” or “instead of!”

HE DIED FOR ME!

HE DIED FOR YOU!

Hallelujah!

Watch the whole Class if you can …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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In this Paragraph, death meets Jesus, what a confrontation! And death was defeated! Christ, the Victor!

In John’s Gospel Lazarus is the only person Jesus raised from the grave, from the dead! In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) two more such events are described. The little twelve-year old girl and the Widow’s son at Nain!

Moses showed God’s Power by having the earth open and swallow some rebellious men, burying them alive!

Elijah showed God’s Power by calling fire down upon groups of soldiers (twice), scorching them to death!

But Jesus showed God’s Power by (not taking life) giving life, raising Lazarus from the tomb!

Jesus was not a Stoic, non-emotional! Isaiah 53:3 is right, Messiah being a “man of sorrows!” Jesus wept!

I want to say that Jesus IS the Glory of God! And I would cite Hebrews 1:3 for proof. “Jesus being the brightness of his (God’s) glory, and the express image of his person.”

Wow!

When (verse 41) Jesus thanked the Father for hearing His Prayer, one is reminded of Psalm 118:21, a Messianic Poem. “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” Jesus sure did know the Bible!

Lazarus of course, after some span of time, died again! So did the young girl Jesus raised and the Widow’s son too.

Only Jesus (so far) has been resurrected NEVER to die again! In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Glory, alive forever!

I suer enjoyed teaching the Lesson, and sincerely invite you to watch it now in its entirety …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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My favorite quote (which I neglected to include in class) …

“Once Martha would have drawn Mary away FROM Jesus’ Feet (Luke 10:38-42, to help in the kitchen). But now she seeks to bring Mary TO Jesus’ Feet (John 11:28-29, to allay her grieving)!”

The Gospel of John beautifully blends Jesus’ Deity and Humanity into great harmony. Yes, Jesus is God (Divine)! But yes, He wept, thirsted, hungered and even became weary, illustrating His Humanity!

I think everyone in Bethany though that Jesus had met His “match” in the death of Lazarus. (The grim reaper, the king of terrors!) What could anyone have done? Everyone doubted, that is, except Martha!

Lesson … it is not how much faith you have that really counts! But IN WHOM you place that faith, no matter how small it is!

Example … a ton of faith in Buddha will send you to Hell. A teaspoon full of faith in Jesus will take you to Heaven! (Really, a mustard seed of faith will do!)

No doubt in my mind, Martha’s faith here is stronger than Mary’s. Mary uttered no statement of faith in Jesus, as did Martha. And Jesus did no doctrinal teaching to Mary, as He did to Martha!

Martha …

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:21-27!

Mary …

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” John 11:31-32

Wow!

The verse to which I alluded about Jesus weeping at Gethsemane is Hebrews 5:7. “Who (Jesus) in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears (Gethsemane) unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” Do note Paul here is sure Jesus’ Gethsemane prayers were heard and answered!

The best idea, watch the whole class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Martha’s great “Statement of Faith” sounds a lot like John’s “Purpose for Writing” his whole Gospel! “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that ye might believe that JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:30-31, King James Version.

In fact, John has filled this fourth Gospel with such great Proclamations about Jesus!

John the Baptist … “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Andrew … “We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John 1:41

Phillip … “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” John 1:45

Nathaniel … “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49

The Samaritans … “This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42

Peter … “Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:69

And I just can’t omit Thomas … “My Lord and my God.” John 20:28

Wow!

Martha was so honest with Jesus; “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” But we are taught to behave (and pray) like this: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

The Psalmists sure were “open” with the Lord! “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:1-2, pretty bold!

Let me tell you in advance what Jesus is going to do at Lazarus’ grave … “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61:3

It is true. Martha’s faith “wavers” during this hard time in her life, the death of her brother.

From a low point … “Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Verse 21 of our chapter, John 11.

To this HIGH Point … “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Verse 27, glorious!

Our faith cannot afford to be static, dormant … it must be constantly growing!

Oh, how I enjoyed today’s Lesson, recorded in a corner of a motel room in Conover, North Carolina. But the Lord joined me there, how sweet was the fellowship!

Now I invite you to watch the entire class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Jesus to His Disciples … “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: BUT THEY THOUGHT that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” John 11:11-14

Obviously Jesus and His Disciples are having a conversation, a “learning experience” is underway! I call this a “meeting” with Jesus, a class session if you please! (Every Paragraph in John 11 has some sort of “meeting!”)

From a “prayer meeting” in our last Lesson to the “meeting” between Jesus and Martha in our next Lesson, and so forth.

True, Jesus’ dealing with Lazarus is unusual! (He is not dead. Then, he is asleep. Finally, he is dead. Ultimately, he is alive again!)

For example; “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11:4

But how is Jesus glorified in this tragedy? When we now know full well that the Lazarus’ miracle (his being raised from the dead) precipitated Jesus’ own arrest and crucifixion!

Here’s how … Jesus’ lowest moment (in the eyes of the world) … DEATH BY EXECUTION, BY CRUCIFIXION … is in reality (in the Eyes of God) Jesus’ highest Moment, His most glorified Hour ever!

Read with me Isaiah 52:13, God speaking in advance about Jesus’ Death on the Cross … “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.”

Now with comment … “Behold, my servant (JESUS) shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high (THREE ADJECTIVAL WORDS INDICATING GLORY).”

Amazing!

Truly, God’s ways are not our ways! “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Jesus did not move an inch to return to Bethany (waiting two days) until He received the “approval” from His Father! Just like Israel of old never moved until the Cloud of Glory lifted and led them further toward the Promised Land!

Did you ever think of the affinities between sleep and death, for the Christian I mean?

Sleep is harmless … so is death!

Sleep brings relief from the pressures and problems of life … so does death!

Sleep is temporary … so is death (again, for the Believer in Jesus)!

One prepares for sleep (brushing teeth, etc.) … so is the Christian prepared for death!

The list could go on for a while!

One more fact … none of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) mention a word about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, out of that grave!

I am so thankful John does!

Much more could be written this morning … so it is probably best to sit down and watch the Lesson …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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