DAILY TEXT, Today Thursday, January 2, 2025, This disease does not have death as its goal, but will serve for the glory of God (John 11:4).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025

Thursday January 2, 2025

This disease is not intended to lead to death, but will serve for the glory of God (John 11:4).

Although Jesus knows that his friend Lazarus has just died, he decides to stay where he is for two more days before going to Bethany. So, when he arrives, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Jesus' intention is to do something that will benefit his friends and bring glory to God (John 11:6, 11, 17). What lesson about friendship can we learn from this story? When Mary and Martha sent the message to Jesus, they did not ask him to go to Bethany. They simply told him that his dear friend was sick (John 11:3). When Lazarus died, Jesus could have resurrected him from a distance. But he decided to go to Bethany to be with Mary and Martha, who were his friends. Do you have a friend who is willing to help you without you asking? If so, know that you can count on him “in times of trouble” (Prov. 17:17). If we imitate Jesus, we will be that kind of friend. w23.04 10 paras. 10, 11

What happens while Jesus is preaching two days from Bethany, and what does he decide to do? (John 11:1-3).

(Read John 11:1-3). Jesus has some friends who live in Bethany: Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Towards the end of the year 32, Lazarus falls ill. Her sisters are very concerned and send a message to Jesus, who is on the other side of the Jordan, two days away (John 10:40). Unfortunately, Lazarus dies around the time Jesus receives the message. Although Jesus knows that his friend has just died, he decides to stay where he is for two more days before going to Bethany. So, when he arrives, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Jesus' intention is to do something that will benefit his friends and bring glory to God (John 11:4, 6, 11, 17).

What lesson about friendship can we learn from this story?

What lesson about friendship can we learn from this story? When Mary and Martha sent the message to Jesus, they did not ask him to go to Bethany. They simply told him that his dear friend was sick (John 11:3). When Lazarus died, Jesus could have resurrected him from a distance. But he decided to go to Bethany to be with Mary and Martha, who were his friends. Do you have a friend who is willing to help you without you asking? If so, know that you can count on him “in times of trouble” (Prov. 17:17). If we imitate Jesus, we will be that kind of friend. Let's go back to the story and see what happened next.

What did Jesus promise Martha, and why could she trust him to keep it? (John 11:23-26).

(Read John 11:23-26). When Martha finds out that Jesus is near Bethany, she immediately goes to see him. He tells him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). It is true that he could have cured Lazarus, but he plans to do something much more impressive. Jesus promises Martha: “Your brother will rise.” Furthermore, he strengthens his faith in what he has promised by telling him: “I am the resurrection and the life.” That's right, God has given Jesus the power to bring life back. Until then, Jesus had already resurrected a girl shortly after his death and a young man, apparently on the same day he died (Luke 7:11-15; 8:49-55). But could he resurrect someone who had been dead for four days and who had already begun to decompose?

According to John 11:32-35, how does Jesus react when he sees Mary and others crying? (See also the drawing).

(Read John 11:32-35). Let's visualize the scene. Mary, the other sister of Lazarus, approaches Jesus and tells him the same thing as Martha: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Both she and those who accompany her are devastated. Seeing and hearing them crying, Jesus becomes very sad. The compassion he feels for his friends brings tears to his eyes. He understands how painful it is to lose a loved one and wants to put an end to the situation that is making them suffer so much.

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.