Jesus says: "I AM the Resurrection and the LIFE!"
Intro: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as
many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to
those who believe in His name." John 1:11-12. We read
this verse our first week. It is good to remind ourselves of what it says and
how it clarifies who belongs to the Father and who does not! And it is the
difference between receiving and not receiving, believing or not believing. This week we will be finding out more about
that word, "believe". We can
use the word lightly, even saying something like "I believe there is a
barbecue on Sunday", meaning we don't know whether there is or not! That
is NOT the sort of believing Jesus talks about! I will use the Amplified
version of the Bible in these notes to give a clearer picture of what it means
to believe in Jesus.
Day 1: John 10:19-30
"My Father is greater than all!" Jesus is talking about
His Father in relation to His sheep. The Father will never let us go. No evil
person or circumstance or happening can ever remove those who believe from
Father's care! The Pharisees cannot deny Jesus' miracles, but they do not
believe, "trust" and "rely on" HIM. They have head-knowledge
of who they think God is. To believe in Jesus is heart-knowledge! Verse 27
shows us what believing means for His sheep. This is a developing faith. It
does not happen overnight. It is not a mental acquiescence, but daily hearing
and listening to our Shepherd's voice, to find His way in every
circumstance of life. He knows us, and loves and cares for us just as we are. Make
a note of all that Jesus and the Father do for their sheep. Our great and
mighty God is FOR us!
Day 2: John 10:31-42
Jesus has demonstrated His Father's glory and mercy through His
healing miracles, and yet the hard-hearted unbelieving Jews still want to stone
Him. They can't help but acknowledge His deeds, but do not want HIM. There is
always a choice. Even to believe in His works will produce faith in Jesus as
being one with GOD the Father. He offers these people a doorway to faith.
Perhaps there is a situation in your life where it is difficult to believe that
God will help you. Think of what He has done for you before or read the testimony
of someone else and let that be your doorway to saying "Yes, Lord, I
remember the miracles you have already done. Please help me adhere to and trust
in and rely on You and on Your word in this circumstance."
(nb: In
verse 34, Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82:6. Men do have authority and are like
'gods' on this earth, but unless our lives are governed by the LORD Jesus, we
will still walk and rule in darkness.)
Day 3: John 11:1-16
The next few days takes us through one of the most wonderful
stories in the Bible. First we meet the family, 2 sisters and their brother –
Mary, Martha and Lazarus! This family were close friends of Jesus – He could
always be sure of a good meal in Martha's house! When Jesus is told Lazarus is
sick, they say, "He whom you love." Jesus has special friends and
those He can be Himself with, and He wants to be at home in our hearts in the
same way. Why did Jesus delay 2 whole days before going to see his sick friend?
The reason the disciples didn't want to go was their fear of being arrested
with Jesus, and killed! But Jesus had a different reason – v 4 and 15. Are
there some issues in your life, where it seems the Lord is not in a hurry to
answer your prayers, nor come to help you? Keep believing Him, trusting and
relying on His word and promises – He will come. The outcome will be for
God's glory and that we might trust and love Him more! And that others will
believe also!
Day 4: John 11:17-27
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life!" Martha hears Jesus is coming – and runs out to find Him. Her greeting is
a mixture of faith and disappointment. Her brother has died by this time, and
Jesus didn't come – He wasn't there when they needed Him! Look at each of
Martha's declarations in verse 21, 22, 24 and then 27. Now put yourself in Martha's
place, running to meet Jesus. If you have disappointments and failure and
sadness you are still coping with, put your own words into these verses,
telling Jesus that He is the anointed Son of God, the One Who can bring LIFE
where there is death and restoration where there is loss. Like Martha, say "I
KNOW…" and "I believe…" (have faith in, cleave to and rely on)
You, Lord Jesus!"
Day 5: John 11:28-37
"The Lord is here and is calling for you!" What amazing words to one who is shut up in
her grief! Look back at verse 20.Maybe that is a word right now for someone
reading this. "The Lord is here and calling for YOU!" Mary
jumps up and runs to meet Jesus. Her first words are identical to Martha's! The
sceptics have the same question in verse 37. But what a difference! Martha and
Mary, despite their grief, speak out of faith and love – these others are
scorning the fact that He didn't seem able to heal Lazarus before he died. It
is perfectly alright to have questions for Jesus, when they come from a heart of
love for Him and a need to hear Him, and to understand. Jesus knows the
outcome, which He has already told Martha in v 23, and yet He weeps with those
who weep, and He tenderly loves His friends.
Day 6: John 11:38-40
Martha, the ever practical one, objects strongly to Jesus' order to
roll away the boulder. In hot countries, the stench of a dead body would be
overpowering! Jesus rebukes her – "Did I not tell you …?" He has
promised – He will see it through! But the boulder must be removed
first. There are boulders often in our lives hiding issues and experiences of
the past. Jesus asks us to roll the boulder away and give Him access into our
lives, so that He might cancel out despair and death, and bring His
resurrection life! One of the keys to getting rid of a boulder in our lives is
forgiveness. Pastor Phil has been teaching us on the healing power of forgiving
and releasing those who have harmed and hurt us. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to
help us get rid of boulders and obey Jesus. He has promised that "if you
would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God"!
Day 7: John 11:41-46
Jesus thanks His Father. Notice that, as with the miracle of the
loaves and fishes, He thanks His Father before the miracle takes place,
and He knows His Father hears Him. He has absolute confidence in Him. Can we
praise God when the miracle hasn't happened yet? This is believing. Praise
literally opens the gates of Heaven! Jesus SHOUTS to Lazarus to come out. He
has been stone dead for 4 days! And he walks out, still wrapped in all the
burial bandages! What a sight! How absolutely dumbstruck everyone must have
been! Jesus has to tell them to release him! There must have been a huge amount
of emotion and joy. Many joyfully put their trust in Jesus, the Son of God.
Turn to God in praise, thanks and worship today, speak out your thanks for the
promises you know He will fulfil for you!
Summary:
Jesus is our RESURRECTION
and LIFE!
When we believe in JESUS,
walking and talking
with Him, listening to Him, loving Him, receiving from Him,
putting our whole weight of trust on HIM, thanking and praising
Him,
speaking out His Word,
THEN He will show us God's glory – His marvelous joyful amazing
salvation, healing, release and power in our lives!
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