The Plot to Kill Jesus

(Slide) The illustration that we looked at with the life, death and resurrection of Lazarus is a good illustration for the non-believer to becoming a Christian ( good scripture reference is Eph2:1-10

(Slide) Lazarus was dead; sinners are dead

(Slide) Lazarus was decaying; sinners decay spiritually

(Slide) Lazarus raised from the dead by power of God; Sinners raised from the dead

(Slide) Lazarus set free from graveclothes; sinners are set free and given new life

(Slide) Lazarus seated at the table (Jn12:2); forgiven sinners are seated at the table

There are no words of Lazarus recorded in the scripture, but a life that was lived that made people believe in the Son of God. Lazarus was a good witness; you can be a good witness even without words. Lazarus was persecuted and they wanted to kill him; many a Christians have been persecuted because of Jesus.

(Slide) TURN TO PAGES 105-6 IN STORY BOOK AND BIBLE TO JN11:45-57

(Slide) What do you see, what sticks out to you in this passage?

(Slide) I have broken this down as follows

Miracles do not always cause belief (vv.45-46)

Prophesy of the ungodly man (vv.47-53)

Passover is coming (vv.54-57)

I. Miracles do not always cause belief

(Slide) Do all believe in (v.45)? - it does not say anything about not believing, but believing is not enough is it? Believing needs to lead to a response, the obedient response. That was not the case here, nor is it the case with the other miracles John has listed, they caused division, so did this one.

(Slide) Some want to complain, is this out of the ordinary (v.46)? - the other miracles caused division and the leadership wanted to kill him before too.

The faith of some lead to the hostility of others; isn’t that the case today too?

II. Prophesy of the ungodly man

(Slide) First and only mention of the council (Sanhedrin) in the Gospels

(Slide) What is the question (v.47)? what are “we” doing? - they were concerned about their place (v.48) and nation (v.48) - place being the temple; nation being Israel. They were worried that the there would be an uprising causing the Romans to come in (which they would, but at God’s hand in AD70).

(Slide) What do they also acknowledge in (v.47)? - they are not denying the miracles.

(Slide) Now comes the prophesy of the ungodly man (vv.48-50)

(Slide) What is Caiphas saying in (vv.49-50) in plain words? - - kill him and save the country; save our place our temple, and our position. This is also evidence that the Sanhedrin believed that Jesus is a real threat to the national survival of Israel

Little did Caiphas know that the words he used were God’s words as a prophet to prophesy what was going to happen. God can use the ungodly to accomplish his will.

(Slide) He called for Jesus death as a death of one, to save many- aka: substitutionary (or vicarious) atonement - again, little did he know by doing such he was calling for God’s will to be done but that the all people would be the beneficiary of this atonement (all who are willing to believe and accept) - reaching out to the “other sheep” (think of what we learned in John10)

(Slide) Their Plan was in place; God’s plan going to be fulfilled (v.53)

- God’s predetermined plan

Acts 2:23 NASB95

this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

III. Passover is coming

____ have someone read (vv.54-57)_______

(Slide) Ephraim is believed to be about 15 miles from Jerusalem/Bethany

(Slide) Why did Jesus retreat there (v.54)? - - - - he needed to stay to God’s time schedule

(Slide) What celebration is near (v.55)? - Passover

(Slide) PASSOVER

(Slide) 4th passover - You can see in Jn2:13, 5:1, 6:4 and 11:55-12:1, though some do not agree with 5:1 being a Passover; either way we are talking about at 3-3 1/2 year period

2.5 million people (and 250,000 sheep) -Interesting fact Josephus states the Jewish records show there were 250,000 sheep sacrificed at this Passover. 1 lamb for every household, 10 people per household including extended family. Try to picture 2.5 million people there and able to witness the greatest event ever, the main event just a short time away.

The stage is set for the main event!

Summary: John chapter 11 shows the deity of Christ and the depravity of man. Miracle of raising the dead (remember the Rich man wanted someone to return) may have brought some to belief but it does not bring them to the know the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Only true faith can lead you to receive God’s free gift of grace.

Closing thoughts: This story is only located here in John, why? Remember John’s purpose for writing it?

John 20:21 NASB95

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

John 20:31 NASB95

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

The other resurrections (Lk7 - widows son); Mt9/Mk5/Lk8 Jarius daughter. John’s claim was proven in this chapter.