“A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” Jesus told her, (Martha)“Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:1, 4-4, 7-8, 14-15, 23-26, 39-44
Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick. It was serious. His sisters, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. Now these 4 were good friends. Jesus and his disciples hung out with Lazarus, Mary and Martha often when He was in Bethany. They fellowshipped together, hung out together, laughed together, thus when the messengers showed up to tell Jesus that Lazarus was sick, they said “your friend Lazarus, whom you love, is sick” (vs 3).
Jesus, seemingly drags His feet at going to assist Lazarus, to the point that Lazarus actually DIES 4 DAYS BEFORE JESUS GETS THERE! In His words, though, first, “Lazarus’ illness was never meant to be unto death (perminitely) (vs 4). Second, it was so God would be given glory for what Jesus would do for Lazarus (vss 4 & 15)!
So Jesus shows up, and Martha runs out to meet Him (vs 20) and says, “Lord, if You would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died-even now, though, I know God will do whatever you ask Him to do!” (vss 21-22) So Jesus tells her, “your brother will rise again”. (vs 23) “Yes”, she replies, “I know he’ll rise again in the last day” (vs 24). Jesus replies with one of the strongest statements He ever made, “I Am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” If you do, then “Roll the stone aside” (vss 24-26, 40). So, Jesus calls Lazerus out of the grave and our he came, still wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus tells them to release him.
Jesus powerfully proclaimed that He actually WAS the Resurrection Life and ask Martha that if she believed this and to have the stone rolled away!
Belief in Jesus ALWAYS demands action!
Has Jesus raised you from the dead?
Think about it
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