John 11 is the famous account of the raising of Lazarus. In the midst of this incredible display of power is something very surprising: Jesus is angry. Why would he be angry at his friend's funeral - especially if he knows he's about to fix the situation? What was it that “Deeply Moved” Jesus, and what did he do with his anger?
Discussion Questions
Tell a quick story about when one of your parents got super-mad! Why were they so angry, and did they overreact?
What gets you angry on a daily basis? Say something practical and down to earth (not lofty, like “injustice”), even if it’s petty and embarrassing to admit. Why do you think it makes you so mad?
Anger is a diagnostic tool – it reveals what we love. What gets Jesus angry? What does that reveal he loves? How does God’s anger at death comfort you?
God’s love means he is set on destroying anything that is destroying his children. So what sorts of things in your life are in his crosshairs – precisely because he loves you?
Lazarus stinks; he’s four days dead. But Jesus comes near anyway. Why do we think God will not come near the rotten things in our lives? Why is it easier to think he cannot or will not bring something beautiful out of our worst messes?
Verse 44 of our passage says that the dead man came out. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes our spiritual condition as “dead” then “made us alive” in Christ; and not because we earned it. What does new fruit in us look like after we’re made alive?
What redeemed messes have become a significant part of your personal story? How might those redeemed messes become an easy way of sharing your faith? Try it now - share about a redeemed failure.
God’s rage at death overpowered the stench. How does our community yearn for this? What is dead and smelly in the South Bay, and what can we do about it?
How does this passage show you Jesus more clearly? How might that change your approach to this week?
