In John 11, does the story of Lazarus emphasize Mary and Martha's love for Jesus or Jesus' love for them?
The account emphasizes Jesus' love for Mary and Martha, not their love for Him. When Jesus wept, the Jews nearby said, 'Look how He loved them,' not how much they loved Him. The chapter's focus is His love toward them, not their love for Him.
Les explains that John 11 is a clear example: all through the Lazarus account, the emphasis is not on how much Mary and Martha loved Jesus but on how much He loved them. When the verse says 'Jesus wept,' the Jews in the area of Lazarus and Martha's home responded, 'Look how He loved them,' not how much they loved Him. Les says this is something believers must constantly remember: it is not how much we love Him, but how much He loved us, saved us, and kept us. He also contrasts this with the idea that God is waiting for someone to goof up so He can zap them; instead, God's attitude is total love, mercy, and grace.
More Questions
In John 11 with Lazarus, is the emphasis on how much Mary and Martha loved Jesus or how much Jesus loved them?
In the account of Lazarus in John 11, the emphasis all through the chapter is not how much Mary and Martha loved Jesus, but how much Jesus loved them.