Read a Gospel for Lent: Week 4
Scripture
John 10-12
Reflection questions:
Jesus makes two “I am” statements in chapter 10: “I am the gate,” and “I am the Good Shepherd.” As you read 10:1-18, compare and contrast what Jesus offers as the gate and Good Shepherd compared to what the thieves/robbers/hired hands do. Pray and thank Jesus for how He loves us.
In chapter 10, we see a lot of conflict about who Jesus is. Some doubted Him and asked Jesus to say plainly if He was the Messiah, some claimed He was possessed, some wanted to stone Him for claiming to be God. When you truly meet Jesus, it requires a response from us— Will I doubt Him, will I villainize Him, or will I surrender to Him as Lord? That choice doesn’t just happen once, but in a million little ordinary and grand ways through the rest of our lives. Every day we wake up, every time a decision comes up, or we face conflict in relationship or struggle in work or school, will we trust in who we know Jesus to be? Take time to reflect on how you see Jesus right now.
In chapter 11, it says Jesus loves Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Yet when He hears Lazarus is sick, he waits two days to start off to Bethany.
“When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4
What is your initial reaction to Jesus’s waiting? How does it feel knowing that sometimes God’s answer to you is “wait”? Reflect on the promise that “wait” is not the final answer and that God’s answer of “wait” is for His glory.
Separately, Martha and Mary go off to meet Jesus as He comes to Bethany. They each ask Him why He waited so long and told Jesus that if He had come sooner, their brother would not have died.
Jesus went to His friend’s grave and wept. When Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, many who saw came to believe in Jesus. Reflect on what Jesus must have felt— He knew Lazarus would first die and He would experience the grief of that, even while knowing He would raise Lazarus back to life and it would bring so much good.
Think about a time you experienced pain but also something good came through the hard.
The Jewish people who witnessed Lazarus rise believed in Jesus, and this spurred the Pharisees and chief priests to action against Him. They feared what would happen if His followers grew, and began the plot to kill Him.
Reflect on how fear or feeling like you’re not in control impacts your relationship with God.
Chapter 12 starts six days before Passover and covers events leading to Jesus’s arrest. Leading up to His crucifixion, we find Jesus prioritizing time with His friends.
As we’ve discussed in our current series, Jesus made space to know and be known, and if He needed that, how much more do we? Life can be full— where can you be intentional with the people and places already a part of your life to know and be known? Make one intentional change in the next week.
Jesus makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem ahead of Passover. In 12:16, the disciples didn’t realize at the time that Jesus was fulfilling Zechariah 9:9-10, but they would understand after the resurrection.
Look back over your life— reflect on a time you didn’t understand what God was doing until after. Talk to God and acknowledge He sees the big picture that you do not yet and thank Him for His kindness. If you’re in a season of not understanding God’s plan, talk to Him honestly.
There was a crowd at the triumphant entry that had seen Lazarus raised from the dead. It says they continued to bear witness. What did it mean to have so many first hand witnesses to confirm Jesus’s miracles?
In 12:23-26, 32, Jesus foreshadows His death. He goes on to say His heart is troubled. But as the chapter continues, Jesus clearly and fully submits to the Father— He knows He came in obedience to the Father and also says that if you see Him or believe in Him, you believe or see the One Who sent Jesus.
Look to the example of Jesus, who didn’t deny His feelings yet obeyed what God had for Him. Is there something in your life you need to honestly talk to God about and then, like Jesus, surrender to God’s plan?
Prayer:
God,
We thank you for the example we have in Your Son. In Jesus we see a man who surrendered to Your plans, no matter the cost — whether it was how people talked about Him, or by waiting while one He loved was sick, and especially when it was obeying Your plan for Him on the Cross. At great personal cost, each of these times He obeyed brought us closer to You.
It feels like a dangerous prayer to pray that I surrender fully to You as well, and yet I know it’s the best place to be— the center of Your will. Help me, Lord.
Amen