Session Two, Exercise
1:
“The illness that
does not lead to death”
Background:
The story
of Lazarus being raised from the dead has a lot to do with faith, especially in
the unseen present moment, as much as it does about the unseen future promises.
Fredrick
Buechner said that when the Bible is being read that most people hear not what
is really being read but only what they expect to hear read. “And that what
most people expect to hear read from the bible is an edifying story, an
uplifting thought, a moral lesson--- something elevating, obvious and boring.
So that is exactly what very often they do hear. Only that it is too bad
because if you really listen—and maybe you have to forget that it is the Bible
being read--- there is no telling what you might hear.”
Allow
yourself to hear this story again for the first time, think about this story if
you were there in the shoes of Martha, Mary or one of the disciples. The person
you have grown to greatly trust and consider to be God’s chosen One (as
promised by the prophets) has just recently told you that your brother will not
die from an illness, but two days later he does die.
Instruction:
Read
through John 11.
1.
What
do you think was the purpose of Lazarus’ illness?
2.
What
type of faith was displayed by the disciples, such as Thomas?
Martha and
Mary were told by Jesus (via a messenger) that their brother’s sickness would
not lead to death, and then two days later he was dead.
3.
Why
would Martha go out to meet Jesus (verse 20)?
4.
What
kind of confidence did Martha show in Jesus? Consider what she says? Is it a
limited view of Jesus? How would you compare Martha’s comments and even her
previous actions with that of the Centurion in Matthew 8:5-13?
5.
What
significant new truths was Jesus directing Martha to acknowledge? What would be
the significance of Jesus’ verb tense, in particular at this point in time of
his ministry?
6.
When
Mary came (verse 32) she asked the same thing as Martha, but why did Jesus
respond differently?
7.
What
may have deeply moved his spirit and greatly troubled him? What do you see as
the reason(s) behind Jesus weeping?
8.
Consider
what Jesus says in verse 40, does this tie into the theme you selected for the
purpose of Lazarus’ illness (see first question)? If so, how?
9.
Why
do you think Jesus gave orders to move the stone, and said the words he did
(verse 41), and then commanded Lazarus with a loud voice outside the tomb, and
then ordered others to unbind Lazarus?
10. How does verse 45 and John
12:10-11 fit in with the purpose you selected (see first question)?
Session Two,
Exercise 2:
Personal Practices
Consider doing
one or more of the following exercises.
There are major points where God ‘broke’ into our world:
creation, incarnation, resurrection, Pentecost and the last judgment. We take
these ‘by faith’, write down for yourself what meaning and change to our lives
these events have brought, and then how in particular you see yourself living
differently because of the events.
Meditate on the biblical image that Paul uses for the new
life in Christ: resurrection with Christ. As you reflect, consider an early
church father’s words where John Chrysostom wrote “Do you believe that Christ
was raised from the dead? Believe the same of yourself”
Bonhoeffer says that one who wants more than what Christ
has established is looking for extraordinary social experiences and brings
impure desires into the Christian community. Christian brotherhood is not an
ideal which we must realize; it is a reality created by God in Christ in which
we may participate.
As you go to church services and events this week look not
for extraordinary social experiences but look upon others as bringers of
salvation and healing. Focus on Christ among us, and not on the skills of those
leading worship or serving within the church.