Text: John 11:35
Jesus Displayed Emotion
- We have emotions because we were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
- We must control our emotions (1 Peter 5:8)
- Emotions are a response to conditions — they are not a goal (emotionalism)
God Allows Human Suffering
- Jesus had the power to heal Lazarus & end his suffering — but He allowed him to suffer & die
- Human suffering exists as a consequence for sin (Genesis 3:22-24) — but it is not the punishment for sin (Ezekiel 18:2-4)
- God allowing human suffering is not for the following reasons — He is uncaring (1 Peter 5:7), uninterested (Philippians 4:6), unable to respond (Luke 1:37), He is punishing us for sin (John 9:1-3)
Jesus Proved Himself to be “The Resurrection and the Life” (v. 25)
- Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would rise again by the power of Christ (v. 23-26)
- Jesus needed to convince those who witnessed the event (v. 38-44)
- He also needed to prove Himself to those who would hear of this event later (v. 46)