I.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
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A.
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LOCATION OF EVENTS.
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1.
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BETHANY. (2 mentioned in Scripture.)
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1:28
1:35-42
10:40
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a.
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BETHABARA = "house of ford," which is "to cross."
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vs.18
vs.1
Mk.14:3
Lk.24:50
11:44
12:1-2
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b.
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BETHANY = "house of afflicted one"
(1)
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Located on southeast slope of Mt. Olivet.
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(2)
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15 furlongs (1½ mi.) east of Jerusalem.
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(3)
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Home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
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(4)
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Also home of Simon the leper identified in Mark.
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(5)
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Area of Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9,12).
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(6)
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Today called, El Azariyeh (Arab, from Lazarus).
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(7)
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A modern Roman Catholic Church stands at the traditional site of this miracle.
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(8)
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Jesus' "home away from home."
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1:54
Ge.41:52
Ge.48:14,17
Nu.1:33
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2.
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EPHRAIM. = "double fruitfulness"
a.
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Named for younger son of Joseph who received double blessing from grandfather, Jacob.
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b.
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Ephraim was progenitor of his namesake tribe of Israel.
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c.
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A city 12 miles north of Jerusalem, 4 miles east, northeast of Bethel.
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d.
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Jesus retired here with His disciples to await Passover.
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B.
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PEOPLE OF THE EVENTS.
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1.
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MARTHA. = "lady," or "mistress" of the house.
a.
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Only one mentioned in scripture.
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b.
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Luke 10:38-42 gives further insight.
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2.
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MARY. = Miriam in Hebrew. (6 mentioned)
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Lk.1:26
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Mk.16:9
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b.
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Mary Magdalene. (Healed of 7 demons.)
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Mk.15:40
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c.
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Wife of Cleopas, mother of the lesser James.
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Acts 12:12
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d.
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Mother of John Mark (the author of a gospel).
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Ro.16:6
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e.
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A saint in Rome mentioned by Paul.
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Mt.26:13
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f.
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Sister to Martha and Lazarus. (Of our text.)
(1) Quiet, devotional.
(2) Immortalized by our Lord for her anointing.
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3.
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LAZARUS. = "God hath helped" (2 mentioned)
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Lk.16:19
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vs.1
Mt.26:7
vs.19
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b.
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Lazarus from Bethany.
(1)
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Brother to Martha and Mary.
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(2)
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Possibly of a wealthy family. Seen in:
(a) The cost of the ointment, today over $100.
(b) The many Jews (friends) who came from Jerusalem to the funeral.
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(3)
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Think of the possibilities of why no spoken word of his is ever recorded, unlike the many others touched by Jesus.
One must wonder what his story might have been following his return through death's door from that side to this.
NOTICE:
NOTHING IS REVEALED FROM BEYOND DEATH'S DOOR FROM THOSE RAISED, SAVE CHRIST.
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(4)
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No other mention of him in scripture. He eventually had to experience death for a second time.
(This I believe to be a significant part of Jesus' compassion that led to His outward emotion.)
However, imagine his level of faith and confidence in Christ at the second for his own resurrection, again!
May we all have that faith and confidence.
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C.
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CONTEXTUAL EVENTS.
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10:40
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1.
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Jesus has retreated to Bethabara (region where John baptized) with His disciples following the very real threat of
10:31,39.
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2.
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The time now is some 3 months following the winter of 10:22
and the Feast of Dedication (Hanukah). Seeds are being sown in the earth and signs of spring and
its renewal of creation are subtly emerging on the hillsides of Judea.
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11:48
12:12-19
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3.
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New hope once again is rising, this time with an added popular excitement among
12:12-19 the people in a revival of "Zionism."
In Jesus, they sense a hope of salvation from Roman rule and occupation, and like those of
6:15
who misunderstood Jesus' "kingdom," they will desire to make Him king, much to the dismay of their blind religio-political rulers.
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Mt.1:21
1:29
3:5
18:36
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4.
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Among other reasons, their hope had blinded them to knowing this was never Jesus' intention.
Unlike all His contemporary Zealots, it was common knowledge that not one political speech did He ever make.
Not one reported word did He ever utter against Rome. His purpose for coming was clearly stated from the outset,
beginning with the angels enunciation, continuing with the Baptist's declaration, and finally from the lips of our Lord Himself.
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10:41-42
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5.
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He has presently received a receptive audience from the Baptist's followers who had accepted Him through
the witness of John and the works of Jesus. These two witnesses of the seven identified in John's gospel
were sufficient for these.
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NOTICE:
As you study scripture, the individual witnesses of the seven to Christ and the number it takes
for various ones and groups to believe on Him, e.g.:
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1:49-50
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a.
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With Nathanael it was directly on Jesus' own word.
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2:11,23
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b.
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With others it was His first work (wine to water).
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4:46-47
4:50
4:53
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c.
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With the noble man, it was 3:
(1) Jesus' prior Work, then
(2) Jesus' own Word, and finally
(3) Jesus Himself.
It is incredible that there are still at this point in time many who will not believe;
but more tragic than this is the fact that some will never believe. Therefore, with
these seven witnesses given being sufficient, those will be without excuse when called
before Him in final judgment and these testify against them. Just as these seven witnesses
were active in His day, they are and will be operative in every generation for the same purpose.
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10:39
11:54
5:19
11:4
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6.
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The pressure of His impending Passion is somewhat allayed. There is still day and work to be done.
He cannot, no, must not resign Himself to their passion just yet; that hour will soon come within the month.
He must finish that which He has seen the Father do in Heaven and purpose on Earth.
God's Glory will fill the Earth, as has been His plan from the beginning.
(
Nu.14:21)
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7.
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Though hope is alive in the people, a shroud of darkness still surrounds the Jewish rulers as they
continue in their intent to stone Him.
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Col.1:16-17
Heb.2:9-15
14:8-11
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8.
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John will show man being snatched from his utter and final darkness -- Jesus' 7th, final, and ultimate sign of:
a. His Authority over all Life,
b. His Power over both Worlds, and
c. His Position with the Father.
His declaration of
10:30
is verified in
11:41-43.
It can no longer be seriously refuted by anyone, even the Pharisees, that in fact He is sent from the Father.
He will do for man what man has been previously unable to do for himself -- take dominion over death.
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9.
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For this purpose comes Lazarus.
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