John 11

·45 min·4 clips

Jesus tells grieving Martha, 'I am the resurrection and the life,' challenging her understanding of belief.

The episode begins with the host noting the upcoming Advent season and previewing a shift from the Gospel of John to the book of Luke for a series called 'Tell the Story.' He describes plans for an interactive Christmas Eve service involving singing, scripture readings, candle lighting, and call-and-response with participation from kids and adults. The main focus is on John chapter 11, where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The host reads verses 1-16, highlighting Thomas's statement 'let us also go that we may die with him' as an example of the disciples' belief. He then reads verses 17-27, focusing on Martha's interaction with Jesus, where she affirms belief in Jesus as the Christ but misunderstands his statement about resurrection. Jesus declares 'I am the resurrection and the life' to challenge her understanding. The host explains that John's purpose in writing is twofold: to believe Jesus is the Christ and to have life in his name, noting the disciples and Martha believe the first part but not fully the second. The sermon continues with verses 28-53, describing Jesus raising Lazarus after four days in the tomb, which leads many Jews to believe but also causes the Pharisees to plot Jesus's death. The host analyzes this as a pivotal moment where Jesus determines to die to give life, linking it to his role as the good shepherd who lays down his life. He emphasizes that Jesus's way involves laying down one's life for others, not fighting, as shown when Jesus heals a guard's ear during his arrest. The sermon concludes with an invitation to respond, encouraging listeners to find life in Jesus and practice humility in daily actions, followed by a time of worship, communion, and prayer.

As heard by us

John 11 is preached as a pivotal scene of grief, sign, and worship, with Advent in view.

John 11 is framed as a pivotal moment in John's Gospel, with the teaching lingering on Lazarus, Mary, the grave clothes, and Jesus' words, "unbind him and let him go." The seasonal setting is also clear, with Advent approaching and Luke and Christmas Eve already in view, so the…

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Why you'd press play

For when Lazarus is still in the tomb and Advent is almost here.

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