Jesus Raises Lazarus Bible Story: Summary, Lessons and Study Jesus Raises Lazarus Bible Story: Summary, Lessons and Study May 5, 2014 by Jack Wellman 2 Comments What can we learn from Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead? What hope does this give the believer? Lazarus Lazarus’ name is Hebrew in origin and interestingly means “God is my help.” The account of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead is not just symbolic of Jesus being God and having within Himself the power to resurrect the dead…it is a story that we will all be raised someday. Some will be raised to eternal life while others will be raised to eternal judgment (Rev 20:11-15). The example of Lazarus’ being raised from the dead has important truths that the believer can learn about the plan of salvation but also has applications for the unbeliever. Lazarus’ Illness John 11:4-6 “But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” The interesting fact is that Jesus said that “This illness does not lead to death” but Lazarus would die and Jesus knew this. Why did He say this? He answers this in the next statement, “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Martha and Mary must have wondered why Jesus didn’t come immediately to heal Lazarus but instead Jesus stayed “two days longer in the place where he was.” To find out why He waited we read on in John’s gospel. Lazarus’ Death John 11:11-15 “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.

But let us go to him.” Jesus says that Lazarus has fallen asleep, a frequent use of the Jewish vernacular meaning death. The disciples didn’t understand because they said that if Lazarus is sleeping, he’ll get better but Jesus plainly said that Lazarus is dead. Why then does Jesus say that “for your sake I am glad that I was not there?” It is so “that [they] may believe.” Believe what? Dead for four Days John 11:17-27 “Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” Lazarus was not only dead but dead for four days which means that his body had begun to undergo deterioration or decay. Being dead for four days makes the possibility of Lazarus living again humanly impossible. Martha seems to rebuke Jesus by saying “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus tells Martha that “Your brother will rise again” and Martha replies “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” The “last day” is a reference to the day when all will be raised from their graves; some to eternal life and some to everlasting destruction.

Martha believed in the resurrection and so she knew that he would live again indicating that she believe that Lazarus would be in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said that He is “the resurrection and the life [and] whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live again.” Martha even goes further and says that “Yes Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Martha knows more theology than do the religious leaders like the Pharisees and certainly more that the Sadducees, who didn’t even believe in the resurrection. Jesus’ Anger for Disbelief John 11:33-37 “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” There is an interesting Greek word where Jesus said in verse 33 that He was deeply moved.

The word for moved is not that He had was moved by heartache or feeling the loss of Lazarus’ life. The word for moved is one of the strongest Greek words “embrimaomai” which is from the Greek root word “brimaomai: and it literally means “to snort with anger.” Why did this apparently make Him angry? Perhaps it was due to their disbelief in His ability to raise the dead. Maybe it was from the fact that they didn’t realize that he was in a much better place. In this same sentence, there is also an interesting Greek use of the word for “great troubled” which is “tarasso” and means “agitated” or “troubled.” Again, there is mystery in this as to why Jesus was both agitated and angry. It may be that He knew what the Jews were thinking or said by their callous remark “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” The Jews apparently didn’t believe that Jesus could raise the dead and many didn’t believe in the resurrection, unlike Martha and Mary.

It might have even be anger directed toward death itself and the Enemy who brought death to humanity in the Garden by his deceiving of Eve and Adam’s disobedience. Lazarus Raised from the Dead John11: 39-44 “Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Jesus tells them to “Take away the stone” but Martha tried to tell Jesus that the stench of Lazarus’ dead body, now in the grave for four days, would be overwhelming. Martha apparently still didn’t get it. Perhaps that is why Jesus was both agitated and angry (11:33) because none of them believed that Jesus could actually raise the dead. Here Jesus rebukes Martha for her unbelief or her lack of understanding about what Jesus was trying to tell her “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” When it says that Jesus cried out in a loud voice, the Greek indicates that it was a shout and so all that were there could not help but hear Jesus’ words. Jesus cried out with a very loud shout, “Lazarus, come out.” And so he did. I believe that if Jesus had not mentioned Lazarus’ specifically by name, all that were in their graves would have come out of them because Jesus’ has effectual power to raise the dead and to bring about what He declares for He is the resurrection and the life.

Conclusion If you have only been born once, you’ll die twice but if you’re born twice, then you’ll die only once. What I mean is that if you have only been born of a human mother, then you will die a natural death and then the eternal death of condemnation, however, if you have been born again (literally “born from above” in John 3:3), then you’ll only die once. A born again Christian dies a natural death but then they don’t have to worry about the second death because “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death” (Rev 2:11) and “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ” (Rev 20:6).

But if you are not saved, then take this warning seriously as it is written “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars [will have] their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rev 21:8). John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus Bible Story The story takes place in John 11. The Raising of Lazarus - Story Summary: Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha , were friends of Jesus. When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When Jesus heard the news, he waited two more days before going to Lazarus' hometown of Bethany. Jesus knew that he would do a great miracle for God's glory and, therefore, he was not in a hurry. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days. When Martha discovered that Jesus was on his way, she went out to meet him.

"Lord," she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus told Martha, "Your brother will rise again." But Martha thought he was talking about the final resurrection of the dead. Then Jesus said these important words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Martha then went and told Mary that Jesus wanted to see her. Jesus had not yet entered the village, most likely to avoid stirring up the crowd and calling attention to himself. The town of Bethany was not far from Jerusalem where the Jewish leaders were plotting against Jesus. When Mary met Jesus she was grieving with strong emotion over her brother's death. The Jews with her were also weeping and mourning. Deeply moved by their grief, Jesus wept with them. Jesus then went to the tomb of Lazarus with Mary, Martha and the rest of the mourners. There he asked them to remove the stone that covered the hillside burial place.

Jesus looked up to heaven and prayed to his Father, closing with these words: "Lazarus, come out!" When Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus told the people to remove his grave clothes. As a result of this incredible miracle, many people put their faith in Jesus. Points of Interest From the Story: Jesus also raised from dead, Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:41-42; Luke 8:52-56) and a widow's son (Luke 7:11-15). Others who were raised from the dead in the Bible: In 1 Kings 17:22 Elijah raised a boy from the dead. In 2 Kings 4:34-35 Elisha raised a boy from the dead. In 2 Kings 13:20-21 Elisha's bones raised a man from the dead. In Acts 9:40-41 Peter raised a woman from the dead. In Acts 20:9-20 Paul raised a man from the dead.

Through the raising of Lazarus, Jesus showed the disciples , and the world, that he had power over death. Many believed that Jesus was the Son of God and they put their faith in him after seeing this miracle . It is absolutely essential to our faith as Christians that we believe in the resurrection from the dead. In this story of Lazarus, Jesus speaks one of the most powerful messages ever: "Whoever believes in me, Jesus Christ , receives spiritual life that even physical death can never take away." Jesus revealed his compassion for people through a genuine display of emotion. Even though he knew that Lazarus would live, he was still moved to weep with the ones he loved. Jesus cared about their sorrow. He was not timid to show emotion and we should not be ashamed to express our true feelings to God. Like Martha and Mary, we can be transparent with God because he cares for us. Jesus waited to travel to Bethany because he knew already that Lazarus would be dead and that he would perform an amazing miracle there, for the glory of God. Many times we wait for the Lord in the midst of a terrible situation and wonder why he doesn't respond more quickly.

Often God allows our situation to go from bad to worse because he's planning to do something powerful and wonderful; he has a purpose that will bring even greater glory to God. Questions for Reflection: Are you in a difficult trial? Do you feel like God is delaying much too long to answer your need? Do you trust God even in the delay? Remember the story of Lazarus. Your situation could not be any worse than his! Trust that God has a purpose for your trial, and that he will bring glory to himself through it. Lazarus - The Man Jesus Raised From The Dead By Jack Zavada Lazarus was one of the few friends of Jesus Christ who was mentioned by name in the Gospels . In fact, we're told Jesus loved him. Mary and Martha , the sisters of Lazarus, sent a messenger to Jesus to tell him their brother was sick. Instead of rushing to Lazarus' bedside, Jesus remained where he was two more days. When Jesus finally arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and in his tomb four days. Jesus ordered that the stone over the entrance be rolled away, then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The Bible tells us little about Lazarus the person.

We don't know his age, what he looked like, or his occupation. No mention is made of a wife, but we can assume Martha and Mary were widowed or single because they lived with their brother. We do know Jesus stopped at their home with his disciples and was treated with hospitality. ( Luke 10:38-42 , John 12:1-2 ) Jesus' raising of Lazarus back to life marked a turning point. Some of the Jews who witnessed this miracle reported it to the Pharisees, who called a meeting of the Sanhedrin . They began to plot Jesus' murder. Rather than acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah because of this miracle, the chief priests also plotted to kill Lazarus to destroy the proof of Jesus' divinity. We are not told whether they carried out that plan. Lazarus is not mentioned again in the Bible after this point. The account of Jesus raising Lazarus occurs only in the Gospel of John , the gospel that most strongly focuses on Jesus as the Son of God . Lazarus served as an instrument for Jesus to provide indisputable proof that he was the Savior.

Accomplishments of Lazarus: Lazarus provided a home for his sisters which was characterized by love and kindness. He also served Jesus and his disciples, supplying a place where they could feel safe and welcome. He recognized Jesus not just as a friend but as Messiah. Finally, Lazarus, at the call of Jesus, came back from the dead to serve as witness to Jesus' claim to be the Son of God. Lazarus' Strengths: Lazarus was a man who showed godliness and integrity. He practiced charity and believed in Christ as Savior. Life Lessons: Lazarus placed his faith in Jesus while Lazarus was alive. We too must choose Jesus before it's too late. By showing love and generosity to others, Lazarus honored Jesus by following his commands. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the source of eternal life . He no longer raises people from the dead as he did Lazarus, but he promises bodily resurrection after death to all who believe in him. Hometown: Lazarus lived in Bethany, a small village about two miles southeast of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives .

Referenced in the Bible: John 11 NIV - The Death of Lazarus - Now a man named - Bible Gateway John 11New International Version (NIV) The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight?

Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[ a ]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[ b ] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside.

“The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” The Plot to Kill Jesus 45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. 55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him. Footnotes: Jesus Raises Lazarus: Bible Story Summary Jesus Raises Lazarus: Bible Story Summary Tweet Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. It is found in John chapter eleven. It is seen as proof positive that Jesus is God and that He has effectual power over mankind . This is the seventh miracle that Jesus has performed and it is the capstone of all His miracles in the New Testament.

The reason that Lazarus’ resurrection is so amazing is that in the Jewish culture, a person was not actually accepted as being fully dead and with no chance of coming back to life after three days. This is what is called to “sit shiva” for three days for grieving purposes. They also “sit shiva” three times each day. This was so that the family could grieve their lost family member. The irony is that Jesus would later be resurrected from the dead after being in the grave for three days. Jesus had resurrected two others: Jarius’s daughter (Luke 8:40-56) and the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:11-16) but these two were resurrected immediately after they had died. The Jewish religious leaders would not accept that as conclusive evidence for Jesus actually raising them from the dead so this may be why Jesus waited a full four days to resurrect Lazarus. Lazarus is Dead – Concerned Family Members Send for Jesus In John chapter eleven, Martha and Mary sent a messenger to Jesus to seek His help in healing Lazarus as he was gravely ill (v 3).

After the messenger gave Jesus the message, Jesus waited two whole days before departing for Bethany (v 6). Since Jesus was omniscient, He knew that the delay would not cause Lazarus death since by the time the messenger got to Jesus (one day’s journey) Lazarus would have already been dead. The interesting thing that he tells His disciples is that “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him” (v 10). The disciples thought that if he was sick, sleeping would be a good thing for him to help him recover from his illness, saying “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover” (v 12). Jesus had actually meant that he had died and so He plainly tells them that Lazarus is dead (v 14). Then, interestingly He says “…for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (v 15). This is when Thomas shows his loyal devotion to Lazarus as well as his pessimism as he told his fellow disciples and Jesus “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (v 16).

The Master Arrives Later Than Expected When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Jesus found many of the Jews were grieving with Martha and Mary. Martha came and met Jesus and told Him “Lord, if you had been there, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (v 21-22). Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would rise again but Martha thought that He meant in the coming resurrection (v 24-25). When Jesus finally came to their home, Mary ran out to meet Him and repeated Martha’s words “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v 32). The Master is Moved to Tears Jesus saw Mary and the Jews weeping over Lazarus and he was “deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled” (v 33). This “greatly troubled” was the same language that the Lord was having the Passover meal with the disciples and knew of His upcoming betrayal and crucifixion. The literal Greek means that He was angry, outraged, or had emotional indignation.

This may have been due to their pessimism or unbelief that He could raise Lazarus from the dead. He understood that grief was a natural, human emotion but He saw them acting like the unbelieving world…with no hope at all. Even so, Jesus wept with them (v 35). The Jews saw that Jesus was also weeping with them and scornfully said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept this man from dying?” (v 37). Jesus knew what they were thinking and so this might explain His anger over their skepticism about raising Lazarus or revealing their unbelief. Another reason that Jesus may have wept has been explained that Jesus knew Lazarus was in heaven, with the Father and it made Jesus grieve not being in the actual presence of the Father. Or it could have been that Lazarus was already in Paradise and would not have to face death again and live in this fallen world. Lazarus then had to return to this world and leave heaven and if anyone was in heaven, would they surely want to come back to this earth? The Miracle In any event, Jesus was “deeply moved again” and told them to take away the stone.

Lazarus’ sister Martha told Jesus “Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days” (v 39). Jesus insisted and when the stone was rolled away, Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven and said “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me” (v 41-42). This may be the exact reason that Jesus waited for four days before coming to Lazarus. He wanted to give conclusive proof that He is the resurrection, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). That He is God and has the power of life and death. Jesus cried out “Lazarus, come out” (v 43). He must have nearly shouted it since “cried out“ is indicative of speaking at the top of His lungs, so that everyone there could hear His command and His voice and there would be no doubt. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, came out wrapped up in his burial linen. Jesus told them to unwrap him and let him go.

Here is positive proof, seen by several dozens of witnesses, that Jesus has the power to raise the dead, even after four long days. Now there could be no doubt that Lazarus was surely dead and beyond any possible recovery from being in the grave and that only God could have raised someone to life. There is effectual power in Jesus’ commands to rise and live again. As He told them, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (v 25). In fact, if Jesus had not mentioned Lazarus by name and specifically call out “Lazarus”, all who were in their graves would have come out and been raised to life because Jesus has that power as God. Someday He will shout “come forth” and all who are in their graves and are asleep in the Lord will rise again — some to eternal life and some to eternal judgment (Dan 12:22). It is my prayer that you will rise again to eternal life on that great day when each one of us will have to give an account for our lives and that your name will be found in the book of life (Rev. 20:-12-15).

At that time, Jesus will even defeat death itself (Rev. 20:14). If you have not already done so, will you come to Jesus today? Looking for more Bible stories? Take a look at these similar articles: Jack March 2, 2012 at 8:32 pm Thank you Avery for your comment/question. The Father and the Son of God, Jesus always agree for Jesus said that He came to do the will of the Father so there is no discrepancy. Here’s why: Notice in the article that Jesus insisted that the stone be rolled away and when the stone was rolled away, Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven and said “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me” (v 41-42). Here was a key saying by Jesus. This was done that they may believe that You (the Father) sent Me (Jesus). This may be the exact reason that Jesus waited for four days before coming to Lazarus. Jesus wanted to give conclusive proof that He is the resurrection, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

That He is God and has the power of life and death. The Father wanted the disciples to know this and so God allowed Lazarus to die for this very purpose…that they saw that Jesus has the power to resurrect as we will all be raised to eternal life. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. That is what I think about it. I hope this makes sense. If not, please let me know and thank you for your question. 1000+ images about Bible: Jesus and Lazarus on Pinterest | Bible stories for children, Sunday school and The life of jesus Forward This is what Jesus said to his friend Martha—right after she told him that her brother Lazarus was dead, and right before he raised Lazarus from the dead. Praise God that Jesus still raises people from the dead! (John 11:25) See More Never lose faith in God - Today's Word Never Give Up on God! Delayed, but not Denied! God can Revitalize Dead Dreams! Our Compassionate God! Your Deliverance is tied to Your Faith! God Wants us to be Free! God is Always in Control! Religion without Relationship is Destructive!

Never Give Up on God (John 11:4 NIV) When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death. NO, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John’s 11th chapter opens up with mention of a man named Lazarus being sick. This man was from Bethany and was the brother of Mary and Martha. This was the same Mary who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to the Jesus, “Lord, the one who you love is sick.” This is where we pick up our text. When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death. NO, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” This is a family that loved God and whom was loved by God. Whenever Jesus would come to town, He stayed with them and He enjoyed their presence. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a special relationship with Jesus, one that many possibly wished they could have. Their relationship, however, would not exonerate them from tragedy reaching their home. Sickness seemingly creeped in through the night and struck Lazarus.

He must have been really sick, because the sisters sent word to Jesus. This was their desperate attempt to deal with a situation that was bigger than anything they could control. What was Jesus’ response to all of this? Did He jump up and immediately run to Bethany? Did He speak the Word and dispatch healing angels through the air? Did He send the disciples to work on His behalf? No, He hung around where He was for two more days. Why? Because He already knew what the end of the issue would be and that there was purpose wrapped up in this sickness. So what does this mean to you today? Let’s look at some piratical golden nuggets that we can find in the text: 1. Being a Christian does not mean that we will never go through any storms. 2. Whenever situations enter your life that are bigger than your capacity to handle, take it to the Lord in prayer. 3. When you pray, remember that you are not sending breaking news to God, like a reporter on the front lines. He knows everything that has and will ever happen to us. 4. Whatever He permits to enter the arena of our lives, He has purpose wrapped up in. 5. His timing is not our timing. 6.

Never give up on God, no matter how grim the circumstances may seem! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) Delayed, but not Denied! (John 11:15 NIV) “and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Yesterday we found out that Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick. We also found out what Jesus’ response to the new was. He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Jesus’ response unveiled the purpose behind the problem and it also resulted in Jesus proclaiming a promise. So the purpose what so that God would get the glory and the promise was that this sickness would not end in death. This is important to remember as we continue to walk through this story. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Yet, after He heard this, He stayed where He was for two more days.

Then He told His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” They did not want to go back there because the religious rulers of the time had attempted to stone Jesus the last time He was there. Jesus would go anyway. After discussing the danger, Jesus went on to tell them, “Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus was not talking about natural sleep and his disciples had, once again, misunderstood Him. So then He told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.” This is where we pick up our text, where He goes on to say, “and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Our text unveils another facet of the purpose in the pain. Not only was God to get the glory, but this miracle would aide the disciples in there quest from doubt to belief. Jesus had already said that Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death and He also said that he was asleep, but that He would go and wake him up. The situation was grave. Lazarus was already dead.

Jesus had spoken these things and He could not make Himself out a liar. In the midst of all of this, He says, “But let us go to him.” Thank God for the BUT! This changes the mood of the story and now Jesus is moving towards the miracle. WOW! There is a lot in this passage. Let’s seek to glean a few golden nuggets that can apply to our lives today: 1. Delay does not mean Denial. 2. God will never go back on His Word. 3. Some people will be blessed by the testimony you have of the storms you have endured. 4. Even if your situation, your dream, your marriage, your children, are seemingly DEAD, God can still interject a BUT! 5. Nothing is too hard for God! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) God can Revitalize Dead Dreams! (John 11:17 NIV) On His arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. This morning we pick back up with the story of Lazarus. There story is so power packed that we have taken our time walking through it.

Let’s recap: Lazarus got sick His sisters sent word for Jesus Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it.” Jesus hung around where He was for two more days and then takes off for Bethany So here it is, Jesus finally arrives at the scene and not only is Lazarus dead, but he had been dead for four days. By this point he was legally dead. It was the Jewish custom to wait until the fourth day to legally pronounce death, as if to ensure that the person was truly dead. Jesus arrives after Lazarus’ illness had resulted in life leaving his body. Jesus arrives after the professional mourners had already mourned his death with the family. Jesus arrives after they had already prepared the body for burial and wrapped it in grave clothes. Jesus arrives after the Jews had already legally pronounced his death. Jesus arrives after rigor mortis had set in and the body had already begun to stink. It was a terrible situation, but Jesus was now on the scene! So what’s the message in this mess for this morning? The message is that God wants Maximum glory out of our situations!

He wants to bless us, but He wants to do it in such a way that there will not be any confusion on who the originator of the blessing was. God does not want his glory taken by man. God does not want to heal you so you can the glory to the doctors. He will do it in such a way that you know the doctors could not have done it. God does not want to deliver you, loose you, free you, bless you, and etc. and then you give His glory to someone else. He often times waits until the situation is bigger than human possibility before He manifests His Divine Power! So no matter who you are and no matter how dead your situation may seem, when God shows up, He can make the world’s impossibilities a reality in your life. Are you willing to trust God, even when it looks like you should give up all hope? God can revitalize your dead dreams! Will you believe Him to do it? This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) Our Compassionate God! (John 11:35 NIV) Jesus wept. This morning we continue our walk through the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.

Yesterday we left off where Jesus finally arrived at Bethany and Lazarus had been dead for four days and his death was now legally recognized. Upon His arrival, Martha came out to meet Jesus and Mary stayed at home. Martha said, “Lord, if you had here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” She misunderstood His statement to be of someone of rising again in the last day, but Jesus spoke on an immediate resurrection from the dead. Martha then called for Mary to come out and meet Jesus. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Him. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews that had come along with her began to weep also, He was deeply moved in His spirit. He asked where they had laid him and was taken there. This is where we pick up our text and, Jesus wept.

So what does this mean to you today? What lessons can we learn from this portion of the passage? Let’s look at two golden nuggets: 1. It is OK to be real with God: Both Martha and Mary had the same response to meeting Jesus, they both said, “Lord, if you had here, my brother would not have died.” They were basically complaining. There is a song that I really enjoy entitled “I won’t complain!” But to be honest, sometimes I do. When we pray it does not always have to be some canned and prepared prayer. We don’t have to use King James English for God to hear us. We don’t have to sit or stand or kneel. We don’t have to have our eyes closed or our eyes open. There is not set way to pray and there is not set manner in which to come. Simply communicate with God and it is definitely OK to share with God what you have on your heart. Both Martha and Mary told Jesus how they felt and what was bothering them and Jesus heard them and had compassion on them. No matter what your care or concern is this morning, take it to the Lord in prayer and when you do — It is OK to be real with God! 2.

Our God is Compassionate and Cares about us: Jesus cried like we cry. He shed tears like we shed tears. He was moved like we are moved. See, we do not serve a distant and despondent God. We serve a God that came down and lived like we live so that He could meet us where we are. He worked like we work. He sweated like we sweat. He slept like we sleep. He loved like we love. But He also hurt like we hurt. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and He also loves us. So don’t afraid to take your concerns to God. Remember that Our God is Compassionate and Cares about us! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) Taking Away the Stone! (John 11:39 NIV) “Take away the stone,” He said. This morning is the beginning of a new week and we seek to glean some more life lessons from God’s Holy Word. We are still in the story of Lazarus. I am trying to get through it, but every time I run across a verse it seems to call out to me and ask me to say something about it. This morning, our text did just that.

We left off on Friday with the shortest verse in the bible, (John 11:35) Jesus wept. We talked about how it is OK to be real with a compassionate God. When the people there saw that Jesus shed tears they said, “See, how He loved him!” But others said, “Could not He who opened the eyes of a blind man have kept this man from dying?” The true answer to this question is yes. Jesus could have kept him from dying, but then God would have been glorified in this tremendous miracle that we are still speaking of today. They finally get to the tomb. The tomb was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. This is where we pick up our text. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” I am sure that Jesus could have moved the stone Himself if He had wanted to, but there is a lesson to be learned in His request of them. See, they did not want to take away the stone because the body was stinking by now. They did not want to take away the stone because their brother was past help, in their own minds. They did not want to take away the stone because they had already lost hope. It had been four days.

Four days of mourning. Four days of crying. Four days of waiting on a Jesus that had yet to show up. By this time they were glad that Jesus was there to comfort them, but they really had no idea that Jesus could turn this hopeless situation around. Jesus’ request that they take away the stone required faith on their behalf. This allowed them a part in their own breakthrough. So what does this mean to you today? Yes, your situation might seem hopeless, beyond repair, and even impossible. But we serve a God that can turn hopeless situations around. We serve a God that specializes in our impossibilities. I have often times said that Desperation is the breeding ground of miracles. God often places us in hopeless situations so that our desperation causes us to focus on no one but Him. If this is you today, if you are in a desperate situation, God can still turn your hopeless situation around. What is the stone in your life that God is asking you to move before He blesses you? Take away your stone and receive your breakthrough! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) Your Deliverance is tied to Your Faith!

(John 11:40 NIV) Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” This morning we continue our quest through the Gospel according to St. John and we are still in the story of Lazarus. Yesterday we discussed the family’s requirement in the miracle (taking away the stone) and how we too can be required to participate in our breakthrough. After Jesus told them to take away the stone, however, their response was not that of immediate action. “But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead Lazarus, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” We have already discussed the significance of the four days and how God’s purpose was wrapped up in it. God’s purpose, however, had now positioned Lazarus in a place where his family had lost hope and they did not even want to do anything about it. He was, in tier minds, beyond repair. He was dead and stinking. Jesus’ reply did not deal with the condition of Lazarus, but rather the condition of Mary and Martha. This is where we pick up our text.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” We can sometimes get into some really tough situations. We sometimes even place ourselves there and then seek God to get us out. Now matter how hard, tough, bad, or hopeless your situation may seem this morning — it is not over until God says its over! There is NOTHING too hard for God. So our breakthrough is not contingent upon whether or not God can do it. Our breakthrough is not tied to the status of our situation, our breakthrough is tied to the status of our Faith! Jesus’ reply was tied to Martha’s faith, not Lazarus’ body. This word “believed” in our text is the same word for faith. In other words, He said, “If you have faith, you will see God show up and show out!” (my translation). So no matter where you are and no matter what situation you find yourself in this morning, God can still bless you. Your situation is not too hard for God. Your deliverance is not tied to the status of your situation, but rather to the status of your faith. If you can believe, the Holy Spirit can Achieve! This is Today’s Word.

Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) God Wants us to be Free! (John 11:43,44 NIV) When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” This morning we continue our quest through the gospel according to St. John. We have been dealing with the Lazarus account for some days now. We started off with Jesus saying, when He got word of Lazarus’ condition, “This sickness will not end in death, No it is for God’ glory that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” This morning we can see what He meant by that. Jesus finally got to the grave yesterday and we know that the body was stinking because it had been dead for four days. Jesus required faith of Mary, the dead man’s sister. She operated in faith and took away the stone. Jesus looks up and says, “Father I thank you that you have heard me.” This is where we pick up our text.

When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” This entire passage is chock full of power packed application for our lives. Once again, there are many golden nuggets in our text for this morning, but for the sake of brevity, we will only look at two: 1. Salvation: Jesus called Lazarus by name and this was a call from death unto life. Lazarus, however, had to respond to the call. Likewise it is with us. It is not God’s will that any should perish. God has given us the gift of eternal life and that life is wrapped up in Jesus. He calls us by name through the mouths of many witnesses. If we can be honest, however, it took many calls before we ever responded and received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If you are not saved this morning, if you have never repented of your sin and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then this is another call for YOU!

God is speaking to you right now and tugging at your heart and calling you out of your dead and stinking situation. Like Lazarus, people have discounted and dismissed your destiny, but you don’t have to remain that way. Like Lazarus, you can respond to the call and receive life in Jesus! 2. Sanctification: Salvation is instantaneous, but sanctification is a process. Lazarus was now alive! He was no longer and dead, but he was still wrapped up in dead stuff. He was wrapped up in dead man’s clothes. He was bound like a mummy from the experience of death. That’s how it is with us. When we are Born-Again, yes, we are alive, but we are still wrapped up with dead stuff. There are many issues that we have to be delivered from. There are many yokes of bondage that must be destroyed so that we can operate in the freedom that God wants for our lives. We don’t have to attempt to do this by ourselves. That is why it is so important to be a member of a church and to receive God’s Word on a consistent basis. Our fellowship with the brethren will help in the sanctification process. You don’t believe me?

Look at the text. Lazarus did not remove the dead stuff by himself. Jesus sent others to him to help him to attain his freedom. Hallelujah! God does not want you to go to hell, He wants you to be saved. But then after salvation, He wants you to be free! God wants you to have life and to have it More Abundantly! Are you willing to receive it? This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) God is Always in Control! (John 11:45 NIV) Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him. We have walked through the entire Lazarus account. It started off with Jesus receiving word that Lazarus was sick. He said, “This sickness will not end in death, No it is for God’s glory that God’s Son may be glorified through it” when He found out. Yesterday we saw that Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days and then loosed of his grave clothes. This morning’s text bring closure to the whole matter.

Many of the Jews who had been there mourning with Mary and Martha were present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This tremendous miracle served as evidence to them that Jesus was the Messiah and they put their faith in Him. Jesus’ statement that this sickness was for God’s glory was made manifest. God did get the glory and the Good Shepherd received new sheep because of it. But we also have to remember that for these people to come to God and for God to get the glory, there was a family in the middle of the story that had to go through a tremendously painful ordeal. Lazarus had to experience sickness and eventual death for four days. Mary and Martha had to experience the loss of the their brother and the hurt in knowing that Jesus had received word, but that He had not yet arrived. God permitted this tragedy to enter the arena of this family’s life and remember that these were people that He loved. So what does this mean to you today? A few things: 1. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, for the glory of God. 2. When God brings you through a storm, share your testimony, so that God would get the glory. 3.

Learn from other people’s experiences so that God would not have to send you through all the experiences yourself. 4. It’s never too late for God and it is not over until He says it’s over. 5. God is always in Control! 6. Delay does not mean denial! 7. Whatever God permits to enter the arena of your life, He has purpose wrapped up in! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! (top of page) Religion without Relationship is Destructive! (John 11:53 NIV) So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Yesterday we talked about how many Jews put their faith in Jesus because they saw Him raise Lazarus from the dead. Not everyone had this testimony, however. Some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. The chief Priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. They were afraid that Jesus was going to disrupt their comfortable, but spiritually dead way of life. One of them, named Caiphas, who was High Priest that year, spoke up. He said, “You know nothing at all!

You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” This is where we pick up our text. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. So what does this mean to you today? What golden nuggets can we glean from this text? 1. In this world we are going to have to deal with trouble and troublesome people (John 16:33). 2. Not everyone that is IN the church is OF the church. 3. Religion without relationship is destructive. God wants to use us and bless us and cause His face to shine upon us, but that does not exonerate us from trouble. Jesus was doing the will of God and being used of Him mightily, but the Sanhedrin still purposed in their heart to do Him harm. So think it not strange when you are resented for being a child of God. I know it is hard to believe that some folk will dislike you, just because you are a Christian and are seeking to the do the will of the Father, but this is a reality of our Christian walk. We find hope, however, in knowing that we do not walk by their feelings, but rather by our faith!

So no matter how folk feel about you, nor how they treat you, keep your faith in God! This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper! Recent Posts John 11:38-44 NKJV - Lazarus Raised from the Dead - Then - Bible Gateway John 11:38-44New King James Version (NKJV) Lazarus Raised from the Dead 38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.[ a ] And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Footnotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Study This × Bible Gateway Plus Enrich your faith and grow in spiritual maturity with the incredible Bible study and devotional books listed below. Try it for 30 days FREE. Cancel at any time. Learn more You'll get this book and many others when you join Bible Gateway Plus. Learn more You must be logged in to view your newly purchased content. Please log in below or if you don't have an account, creating one is easy and only takes a few moments. After you log in your content will be available in your library.

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Question: In which book of the Christian Bible is the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead?
Answer: John