“He whom thou lovest is sick.”

When a loved one is deathly ill, what do you do?

John 11:1-16

The sad news (v. 1-6)

• Lazarus, Mary and Martha — siblings
• Mary, who anointed the Lord with ointment
• Sisters appeal to Jesus on behalf of their sick brother.
• Why did Lazarus become ill? For the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified. Death was not the ultimate end.
• Though the message appealed to Jesus’ love of Lazarus, we learn that Jesus loved Mary and Martha as well.

“Let us go…” (v. 7-10)

• After a two-day delay, Jesus instructed his disciples that it was time to go to Bethany of Judea.
• The disciples object, citing Jesus’ safety.
• Jesus counters that when the day arrives, a man walks lest he stumble in the night. Obviously his day had arrived.

They thought (v. 11-16)

• Jesus spoke of sleep. The disciples didn’t realize he meant death.
• They thought Lazarus was well and resting.
• Jesus spoke plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”
• He expects that what they are about to witness will make them believe.

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