Dr. David Levy - God's Wisdom Freshly Revealed

Part 4/4 John the Baptizer had a difficult time with the transition. Like the disciples, John expected Jesus to fulfill his Messianic prophecy to take over the government and set up His Messianic kingdom. They all overlooked the suffering that was also prophesied for The Messiah. John began accusing a top government leader of breaking Jewish law and expected Jesus, as the Messiah, to back him and come to his rescue. Jesus did not rescue John. But Jesus did recognize John's disappointment and handled it with such grace that most would never notice the subtle correction. Have your expectations of Jesus led to  disappointment?

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Part 3/4 John the Baptist was making a big splash. People were coming to him in droves. He was leading the greatest revival in the history of Israel. People were repenting and being baptized. John's ministry was going well, and Jesus said John was the greatest person who had ever lived. Then Jesus said, "the least in the kingdom was greater than John." What did it mean? This was not a salvation issue. I have no doubt John the Baptist will be in Heaven. It was a choice to live in the kingdom of God at the moment. Why didn't John follow Jesus or send his disciples to follow Jesus? Why did John not ask to join Jesus as a disciple? Do you check with God or assume you are on the right path? Are you living in the kingdom today by closely following Jesus?

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Part 2/4 Why did Jesus say John the Baptist was the greatest man who had ever lived? How can we be great in the eyes of God? John was greater than every prophet, every priest, and every king who had ever lived. What was so special about John? What did John say about himself? How did he define his role in God's Kingdom? How do you define your role in the Kingdom?

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Part 1/4 Jesus' disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus makes an incredible statement about the greatest man who ever lived. Jesus said it was John the Baptist. What made John greater than Moses, Elijah, Abraham, Daniel, and King David? Jesus said John was greater than every prophet, every priest, and every king who had ever lived. What was so special about John? How did you get your sins forgiven if you sinned in John's day? They asked John, "What do you say about yourself?" Ask yourself this same question.

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Jesus has high expectations. While waiting four days for Jesus to arrive after the death of their brother, Jesus expected the sisters to stay positive.   How could they? How can you? Jesus requires a profound level of faith from Mary and Martha. They did not know when he was coming. They were expected to use the information they had. This would be for the glory of God. He had raised others from the dead...just not after four days. Engaging in faith is more difficult when those around you don't have faith. The sisters had a house full of people who were there to mourn and grieve. What did Jesus expect? What could they have done? How is your imagination?

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Jesus raised Lazarus after his death and after he spent four days in the tomb, creating a stir. Some "mourners" were not happy Jesus raised Lazarus. They wanted him dead. They were pretending to be "friends" of the family. What wisdom do you need to deal with people who believe good is evil?

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Zachariah and Elizabeth had a long-standing disappointment to overcome. In the process of waiting, Zachariah picked up a negative attitude. While understandable, the angel was not amused at his unbelief. What can you do to keep from being negative when your prayers are not yet answered? Why was the priest "muted" by the angel? How might your speech affect those around you who need encouragement in this season?

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What makes Jesus cry? Jesus walks many hours uphill from Jericho, and nobody says a kind word to him when he arrives. He is not treated as a friend of the family but shamed as a late-comer. Jesus gently corrects Martha, but he does not or cannot even speak to Mary, who is wailing at his feet. The crowd is also wailing, although it is now four days after Lazarus has died, which makes the wailing suspect. Is it grief or drama? Some in the crowd are not Lazarus' friends and are delighted that Lazarus is dead. It makes Jesus look bad. Some in the group are celebrating Jesus' failure to help his friend. Martha is not wailing or even crying. The wailing of those on day four is not mere sadness; it is a shaming device designed to punish Jesus for failing to promptly help his friend Lazarus. Jesus is weeks away from his own death, and not even his closest friends believe in him. Jesus is angry and hurt. He cries because he was joyfully anticipating the celebration surrounding the resurrection of his friend Lazarus. Jesus is disappointed and moved to tears when Mary, who was previously at his feet listening, is now at his feet shaming him publicly.

What is your response when your prayers are not answered in a timely fashion?

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Part 3/6  He could have come with the messenger, but didn't.  Jesus arrives 4 days after Lazarus dies.  The sisters are angry.   To get to Lazarus, Jesus must take the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, which includes a 14 mile climb of 3300 feet which averages a 5% grade.  Jesus makes the 8 hour climb and arrives looking like...a normal 33 year old man who just walked 14 miles uphill...and is 4 days late. Martha shares her pain and disappointment.  Jesus is not angry with her but he gently but firmly corrects Martha's unbelief.  Martha receives his correction and reorients to who Jesus really is.  

In John 10 we read Jesus was in danger of being killed and he left Jerusalem and went away. In John 11, this is where he is when the messenger finds him, a 2 days journey from Lazarus. Strangely we read, "He loved Lazarus...so he waited two more days," then starts the long uphill journey from Jericho to Jerusalem.  Doesn't preventing a death take priority?  If you could heal, wouldn't you have gone back with the messenger?

Jesus' disciples are free to speak their mind. They are free to correct Jesus and suggest what they think should be done.

John 11. What Jesus said and what the sisters heard were two different things.

Jesus thinks differently about death. He doesn't see it as significant as we see it. He sees it as one fluid transition.

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