The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1917-04-05
LESSON FOR APRIL 8
JESUS RAISED LAZARUS FROM
THE DEAD-EASTER LESSON.

TIE OEAA-GAoiG n GES00N'
LESSON TExT-John 11:17-N. 4s. ~.
(Read IT to AZ.
GOLDEN TExT-Jesus said unto her..
I am the resurrection. and the life.-John
IL :25.
This lesson occurred about two
months before the crucif1xion, Jesus
being in Bethabara at the time OF this
call (See John 10: 40; 1:28). There
are four recorded cases of resurrec-
ton from the dead: Jairus' daughter
Matt 81, the son Of the widow of
Main duke y, Lazarus, and also Je-
sus after his crucifiXion John 2O).
|. The Lesson of Unbelief. Bethany,
the home of Lazarus, is on the south
eastern slope of Mt. Olivet, two miles
from Jerusalem. Christ and his dis
ciples were on the east side of the Jor-
dan, having been driven there by the
hostility of the Jews John 10 80. He
purpOsely delays his stay in that place
that this event might give an oppor-
tunity for the manifestation Of his
wonder-working power. This delay
was in face of his supernatural knowl-
edge that Lazarus sickness had been
fatal, for he said plainly to his disci-
pies, Lazarus Is dead" Philosophers
have often called death sleep, but al
ways one from which there was no
awakening; hence the skepticism of
these sisters is not surprising. %
They limited the power of Jesus to his
person-"If thou hadst been here" (2)
They also limited his power to GER
tain place, "If thou hadst been here"
" 2D. (3) Again they limited 1t to a
certain time, sat the last day" ". 24),
and (4) they limited his power to nat
ural law. "He stinketh" ". 39) /;
therefore his power could not be exer-
cised.
II. The Lesson Of Pain. The suffer
ing Of these sisters produced sacrifice
and self-devotion. Suffering brings
blessing to others. 1t is also means
of self-culture. Suffering drives US to
the Christ, and reveals to us the un-
realized side of Christ's character
". 25). Jesus is often never more
kind than when he seems to be least
kind. In the midst of her skepti-
cism and pain Jesus gave Martha a
new and glorious thought about the
and the life" If we desire that, all
we have to do is to get Jesus himself
q John 5:12). Resurrection has to
do with the body. and life has to do
with the spirit John II :3). All will
ultimately experience resurrection, but
only those who believe on him re-
ceive life John 3:36). There is
resurrection of life and there Is
resurrection of damnatiOn John
5 :29). Martha answered, YEA Lord.
I believe that thou art the Christ. the
Son Of God" 1t Is all-important that
we should really believe that John
OBI; John 5:1-5).
III. The Lesson of Love. Love al
ways manifests itself In deeds. Mar
tina secretly and quickly arose and
left the wailing friends TO go and
meet the waiting Master. 1.-THE Mas
ter Is come" He still comes, and
calls to us, and. If, like Martha. we
spring up gladly to meet him, he will
fill our lives with blessing and JOY. Je-
sus came to these sisters individu-
ally wv. 81, 2S). He had entered the
danger zone in order to be 6here
". 81, and it was Thomas, the
doubter, who wanted to accompany
him ". 16). "Jesus wept," not with
the wailing of professional mourners,
but with the silent, grief-stricken sis
tiers. The sight of their sorrow
troubles him ". 23), the evidence Of
his love was communicated to the
Jews ". 36), but his grief was not
over the death of his loved friend, but
over the unbelief Of those with whom
he was dealing wv. 81, 38).
w. The Lesson of Power. Jesus
had let natural causes work to their
fullest extent. Coming to the tomb,
Jesus said ". 39), "Take We away
the stone" 1t was four days after the
death Of Lazarus before he came
forth. Jesus was soon to die and
rise In three days after his entomb-
ment The stone had to be removed
from the tomb of Lazarus; it rolled
itself away from the tomb of Christ.
The restrictions which Christ placed
upon his exercise of power, viz. that
he allowed Lazarus to die, to be
buried, and his body to reach the
point of putrefaction, and not to come
forth until Jesus himself, in his body,
was present at the tomb, emphasizes
the lesson of the restraint Of power
for the glory of God. Out Of such
extreme circumstances Of seeming Inn
possibility God manifested his glory
(Rom. S:28). John Bunyan. writing
"Pilgrim's Progress" in Bedford jail,
is q modern illustration Of the use of
privation and Encouragement to the
glory Of God. Notice, also, that In the
exercise of his power Jesus uses hui
man agencies ". Al, Az. God has the
ability but we have responsibility,
e. G.. we are to respond according to
our ability, and he gives enabling
power. Jesus knew that his prayer on
behalf Of his friend had been an
swered before It was uttered (v. 42),
and his friend at once recognizes his
voice ". Az. This record is a plain,
calm, unadorned statement Of q won
derful fact. It bears upon its face the
marks Of its genuineness. Those pres
ent saw the glory of God ". 4O).