The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-07-24
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS
BY REV, F. b, HARGREAyES.
THE RESURRECTION or LAzERUs

THE RESURRECTION or LAzERUs.
John II, 20-27 and 39-44 (The
lesson selected by the committee, en-
braced verses 17-44, but by common
consent it has since been abbreviated
as above.) Golden Text, John l. %.
Time, Immediately following the last
lesson. Place, Bethany, two miles
southeast of Jerusalem.
At length the destroyer, Death, had
accomplished his work, and Lazarus
was no more.
The customary funeral rites had
been carefully observed. The body
had been laid away in the family
vault to await the final resurrection of
the dead. The two sisters, with
clothes rent, and dust covered heads,
sat on the earth surrounded by friends
and professional mourners and gave
vent to their grief.
1t was now four days since their
brother had died, and they must con-
tinue the mourning celebration at
least three days longer. In the midst
OF it all messenger comes to the
house and announces that Jesus is Just
outside the town. Mary does not
appear to hear the news, but Martha
rises and goes forth to meet Him.
The meeting which followed was in
expressibly pathetic and tender, Eigh-
teen hundred years have since been
swept back into the lap of oblivion,
but there meyer passes day but that
ChriSt's words on this occasion are re-
peated under similar circumstances
and give hope and comfort to the
stricken heart of the suffering. Jesus
said unto her, 81 am the resurrection
and the life; he that believeth in Me,
though he were dead, yet shall he
live; and whatsoever believeth in Me
shall never die"
Afterwards Martha brought Mary
to the Master, and the mourners also
followed, thinking she was going to
the grave to weep. They were thus
present at the interview between
Mary and Jesus. Amongst them were
some who were opposed to Christ, who
were cognizant of His works and
teachings in Jerusalem. They mingl-
ed their loud cries with the tender
words Of sorrow from the sisters, and
the sight must have filled Him with
righteous Indignation. The sad and
broken-hearted sisters, however, moy-
ed Him exceedingly, and we are told
that Jesus wept." They went to the
grave, a recess cut into the limestone
rock, a stone fitted into a groove,
covering up the entrance. Jesus
orders the stone removed. Then lie
uttered words of thankful praise to
the Father who had already heard
His prayer. Stepping 10 the mouth
Of the tomb, He cried with Il loud
voice, Lazarus, come forth, and i'm
mediately, to the intense surprise of
the people assembled there, Lag
erus came forth, wrapped in
his grave clothes. 'Loose him and
let him CO." said the Master, and
Lazarus, fresh in the full vigor of man
hood, went down to his home.
Thus Christ performed His crown
ing miracle and attested % the Rabbis
and people alike that H had power
over death and the grave. Thus, at
the close Of His wonderful life work
He gave still stronge~ = oot than he
had ever given before, that He was
the Messiah, the sent of God.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
! /. Death does not end all. There
is life beyond the grave,
2. In Christ only have we hope of
eternal life.
3. The sympathy of Jesus is prec-
ious to His children.
4. Jesus calls to life those who are
dead in sin.
When Anarchist Spies got thro'