The Dolores star., 1917-04-06
LESSON FOR APRIL 8
JESUS RAISED LAZARUS FROM
THE DEAD-EASTER LESSON.

LESSON TEXT-John u:7-z. -. ~
(Read II to ~.
GOLDEN TEXT-Jesus said unto her.
u.e6
This lesson occurred about two
months before the crucifixion, Jesus
being in Bethabara at the time Of this
call (See John 40: :2S). There
are four recorded cases Of resurrec-
ton from the dead: Jairus' daughter
(Matt. 81. the son Of the widow Of
Main uuke y. Lazarus, and also Je-
sus after his crucifixion (John 2O).
]. 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 10 :31). He
purposely delays his stay in that place
that this event might give an oppor-
tunity for the manifestation of his
woodworking 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 a.
ways one from which there was no
awakening; hence the skepticism of
these sisters Is not surprising. O)
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"
". Ply.
u. 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 I'M
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. II 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 IT ~. All will
ultimately experience resurrection, but
only those who believe on him re
ceive life (John $500. There Is 9
resurrection Of life and there is q
| resurrection of damnation (Johr
$500. Martha answered, Yea Lord
1 believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son Of God" 1t Is all-important that
we should really believe that (Johr
20 81; John :1-5).
III. The Lesson Of Love. Love al
ways manifests itself in deeds. Mar
tina secretly and quickly arose ant
| left the wailing friends to go anC
meet the waiting Master. 1.-THE Mas
ter is come" He still comes, ant
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 there
". 81, and it was Thomas, the
dOubter, who wanted to accompany
him ". 16). "Jesus wept," not will
the waIling of professional mourners
but with the silent, grief-stricken sis
tiers.
~. The Lesson Of Power. Jesul
had let natural causes work to theiI
fullest extent. Coming to the tomb
Jesus said ". 30), 'Take We away
the stone." 1t was four days after thu
death Of Lazarus before he came
forth. Jesus was soon to die ant
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, tina
he allowed Lazarus to die, to b.
buried, and his body to reach thu
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 sucf
extreme circumstances of seeming i'm
possibility God manifested his glor,
| (Rom. S:2s).
| Browning has given US a wonder
fully imaginative picture of his re
newed life on earth:
And oft the mans soul springs into hi
| face
AS If he saw again and heard again
His sage that babe him rise,
And he did rise.
| The effect of the miracle was two
fold. Many who were present be
| lieved on Jesus, others did not.
Some went to the Pharisees t.
relate what they had seen, only t.
meet with rebuff.
The remainder Of the chapter is &C
cupled with the plotting of the Phari
sees against Jesus, and from THU
grave there stretches the shadow O.