The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-04-05
LESSON FOR APRIL 8
JESUS RAISED LAZARUS FROM
THE DEAD-EASTER LESSON.

LESSON TEXT-John n:l7-c7. 4s. a.
tRead Il to 4p
GOLDEN TEXT-Jesus said unto her.
l am the resurrection, and the lfe.-John
il rs.
This lesson occurred about two
months before the crucifxion, Jesus
being In Bethabara at the time of this
call tSee John 10 40; l :2S). There
are four recorded cases of resurrec-
ton from the dead: .Jairus' daughter
(Matt. ~, the son of the widow of
Main duke y, Lazarus, and also Je-
sus after his crucifxion (John 20).
I. 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 :3). 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
pies, Lazarus is dead Philosophers
have often called death sleep. hut 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" Co
They also limited his power 10 a GER
ii MI H..
/ ". 2D.
II. The Lesson Of Pain The suffer
ing of these sisters produced sacrifice
aud self-devotion. Suffering brings
blessing To others. 1t is Also a means
of sclf.cuture Suffering drives us 10
the Christ. &nd reveals 10 us the I'M
realized side of Christs character
". ~. 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 n
new aud glorious thought about the
resurrection. Il am the resurrection
and the life II We desire that. N.
We have to do Is To get Jesus himself
+ Q John 5:12). Resurrection has To
do with the body. and life has 10 DO
with the spirit (John l. ~. 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
I resurrection OF damnation (Iohn
10y. Martha answered. Yea Lord.
believe that thou art the Christ. the
Son Of God" 1t is all-mportnnt that
+ we should really believe that (John
20 81: | John 100.
! III. The Lesson Of Love. Love al
ways mnnifests itself in deeds. Mar
/ tina secretly and quickly arose and
| left the wailing friends In 20 and
meet the waiting Master. THE Mas
/ ter is come" He still comes. and
calls to US, and, II, 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 ivy. p. 2S). He had entered the
danger zone in order TO be there
| ". 81, and II was Thomas, the
doubter, who wanted To accompany
him W. 16). Jesus wept." not with
the wnling OF professional mourners.
but with the silent, grief-stricken Sis
tiers.
". 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 10 be removed
from the tomb OF Lazarus: 1t 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 10 come
forth until Jesus himself. In his body.
was present ut the tomb, emphasizes
the lesson of the restraint Of power
for the glory of God. out of such
extreme circumstances OF seeming i'm
possibility God manifested his glory
(Rom. S:2S).
Browning has given us wonder
futiy imaginative picture OF his re-
newed life on earth:
And oft the mans soul springs into his
face
As IL he saw again and heard again
Ills sage that babe him rise.
And he did rise.
The effect OF the miracle was two
/ fold. Many who We're present be-
lieved On Jesus, others did not.
Some went To the Pharisees TO
relate what they had seen. only to
meet with rebuff.
The remainder of the chapter is oc
cupied with the plotting of the phari-
sees against Jesus, and from this
grave there stretches the shadow of
cross upon the path OF Jesus.
This miracle ranks next 10 Chrlst's
own resurrection nS q ~ ION