Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-04-06
LESSON FOR APRIL 8
JESUS RAISED LAZARUS FROM
THE DEAD-EASTER LESSON.


LESSON TEXT-John 11:17-27 As, A.
(Read II to 4D.
GOLDEN TEXT-Jesus said unto her,
I am the resurrection, and the life.-John |
:25.
This lesson occurred about two |
months before the crucifXiOn, Jesus |
being in Bethabara at the time of this
call (See John 1O: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 Ouke ., Lazarus, and also Je-
sus after his crucifixion John 20).
|. The Lesson of UnbeIief. 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 0:31). He
purpOsely delays his stay in that place
that this event might give an oppor-
tunity for the manifestation of his
wonderwOrking power. This delay
was in face of his supernatural knowi-
edge that Lazarus sickness had been
fatal, for he said plainly to his disci-
pies, Lazarus is dead" Philosophers
have often called death a sleep, but al
ways one from which there was ne
awakening; hence the skepticism Of
these sisters is not surprising. a.
They limited the power of Jesus to his
person-"f thou hadst been here" (2)
They also limited his power to GER
tain place, eff thou hadst been here
" 2D. (3) Again they limited it to
certain time, "gt the last day. ". 24),
and (4) they limited his power to nat
ural law. "He stinketh' ev. 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 a 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
resurrection. 81 am the resurrection
and the life" If we desire that, all
we have to do is to get Jesus himself
Il John 5:12). Resurrection has to
do with the body, and life has to dc
with the spirit John II :3). All will
! ultimately experience resurrection, but
I4li h;
ceive life (John $3.50. There is 6
resurrection of life and there is 6
resurrection of damnation (JohI
5:29). Martha answered, YEA Lord
1 believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son Of God" It is all-important tina
we should really believe that (Joh1
20 81; John :1-5).
Ill. The Lesson of Love. Love al
ways manifests itself in deeds. Mar
tha secretly and quickly arose ant
left the wailing friends to go ant
meet the waiting Master. "The Mas
ter is come" He still comes, AM
calls to us, and, if, like Martha, W
spring up gladly to meet him, he vii
fill our lives with blessing and joy. Je
sus came to these sisters individu
ally (vv. 81, 29). He had entered tn
danger zone in order to be there
". 81, and it was Thomas, tn
doubter, who wanted to accompan
him ". 16). "Jesus wept," not wit
the wailing of professional mourner:
: but with the silent, grief-stricken sis
ters. The sight of their sorro7
troubles him (v. 23), the evidence G
his love was communicated to tn
! Jews ". 36), but his grief was nc
over the death of his loved friend, bu
over the unbelief Of those with who1
: he was dealing wv. 81, 38).
~. The Lesson of Power. Jesu
!. had let natural causes work to thei
fullest extent. Coming to the toni
Jesus said ". 39), "Take We ava
the stone" 1t was four days after tn
1 death of Lazarus before he cam
u forth. Jesus was soon to die an
H rise in three days after his entoml
H ment. The stone had to be remove
i from the tomb of Lazarus; it role
Il itself away from the tomb of Chris
II The restrictions (which Christ place
\ upon his exercise Of power, viz, tn;
II he allowed Lazarus to die, to /
II buried, and his body to reach IL
Il point of putrefaction, and not to CON
II forth until Jesus himself, in his bod
II was present at the tomb, emphasize
II the lesson of the restraint of powt
II for the glory Of God. Out of sue
II extreme circumstances of seeming iI
II possibility God manifested his glol
n (Rom. S:28). John Bunyan, writiI
H "Pilgrim's Progress in Bedford jai
\ is a modern illustration of the use
Il privation and discouragement to Il
II glory of God. Notice, also, that in IL
II exercise of his power Jesus uses h
u man agencies ". Al, AZ. God has Il
II ability but we have reSponsibilit
II e. g., we are to respond according
II our ability, and he gives enabli1
II power. Jesus knew that his prayer {
II behalf of his friend had been a
II swered before it was uttered ". AZ
II and his friend at once recognizes
II voice ". 44). This record is q piai
X calm, unadorned statement of a wo
II marks of its genuineness. Those pre-
II ent saw the glory of God ". 4O
II in his shroud, Lazarus came fort
II the death bandages still clinging
II hand and foot. Not a word is So
\ about his experience in the grave, IL
II do we have any authentic record l
III garding his subsequent life.
III Browning has given US a wonde
III fully imaginative picture of his l
iii | newed life Oh earth:
III And oft the mans soul springs into
iii face
iii AS if he saw again and heard again
iii | His sage that bade him rise,
Hi And he did rise.
Ill The effect of the miracle was tW
III fold. Many who were present
u lieved on Jesus, others did not.
Some went to the Pharisees
relate what they had seen, only