Jesus now is going to demonstrate His power and authority to be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18). Previously, He had overcome sickness, restored health and prevented death. Now He is going to claim His power over death itself. We often ask the Lord to stop things from happening or to make things happen, but we also need to trust Him when bad things happen. God’s power and plan are never thwarted (Isaiah 46:9-10; Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 16; Jeremiah 29:11)
Jesus Waited – John 11:1-6
The faithful suffer and the Lord seems to do nothing. How do we handle it when the Lord doesn’t make sense? We need to trust Him because of who He is and what He has promised. We also need to remember what He has already done. See Psalm 23:1-6; 37:1-11; 63:1-7; Luke 18:1-8; Romans 8:28-39; II Corinthians 1:8-10. Two important truths are brought forth in this Scripture:
- The threat of disaster or death does not force the Lord to hurry or to change His plan.
See John 10:15-18; 13:1-17; 14:1-3,18-19; 16:33; Hebrews 2:9-11,14-15; Revelation 1:17-18;
I Corinthians 15:51-58; II Timothy 2:8-10.
- The glory of the Father and of His son is of paramount importance.
See Romans 15:5-7; I Corinthians 10:31 [cp. Colossians 3:17]; II Corinthians 4:6-18; Ephesians 1:12; 3:21; Philippians 1:9-11; I Peter 2:9-12; 4:12-16; 5:5-11; II Peter 3:17-18.
Jesus Went – John 11:7-32
The Lord moves according to His own timing, not ours (Ecclesiastes 3:11a, 14; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:30-32).
- John 11:7-10 ~ In the darkness of danger, the Lord’s light can reveal opportunity. Surviving is not a high enough goal for God’s people. Advancing the Kingdom of God is the only true progress. See I Corinthians 16:8-9; Philippians 1:12-21.
- John 11:11-27 ~ Living is not the avoidance of death. Living is believing in Christ! See John 11:14-15; 25-26; 40-42 cp. John 17:2-3; I John 5:20.
Jesus Watched & Wept – John 11:33-38
Jesus looked at the sorrow and pain that sin and death causes. He displayed anger towards death. “He groaned [Greek = “growled”] in the spirit, and was troubled”. Jesus looked at those sorrowing with pity and “wept” for them [Greek = “to shed tears silently”].
Jesus’ Words – John 11:23-26, 39-44
Jesus gave comfort and promise (vs. 23-26, 40). Jesus called others to action (vs. 39, 44). Jesus called on the Father (vs. 41-42). Jesus commanded the dead (vs. 43 cp. John 5:24-25).
Jesus’ Wake – John 11:45-57 cp. 12:9-11
The results of Jesus’ miracle left a trail of people: some full of faith and some full of hatred. | 
