In this story, Lazarus had been really sick and he had died. Jesus was in Jerusalem and had predicted that Lazarus was dead and He purposely waited till Lazarus had died to come back. It wasn't because He didn't care or couldn't control what had happened, it was because He could. In fact, He told Martha (who was busy being hostess and held in a slightly negative light the last time she was mentioned, back in Luke 10:38-42) that He was the resurrection and the life and he could make those who are dead alive again (read vs 25-26). Martha came out to greet him first saying, "If you had been here before now he would still be alive." That right there, was proof of Martha's true character and her faith in God (read vs 20-21). When Jesus said to her that her brother would rise again (vs25-26) and she answered with honesty and belief in Jesus and His words (read vs 24). Jesus reminded her how He was the resurrection and the life and could make the dead come alive (vs 25-26) and then asked Martha if she believed that and she said she did (read vs 27-her answer reminds me of Peter; it was the same answer he gave Jesus when He asked him who Peter thought He was (see Matthew 16:16)).
Then Martha went and got Mary who instantly rushed to Jesus and fell at his feet. Now Mary perhaps had a closer relationship with Jesus, but she likely had lost a little bit of faith and questioned Him on why He hadn't come sooner (vs 32). She was grieving and crying over her brother. Jesus was groaning along with her, feeling sad as well. Yet, He hadn't lost focus, and He then asked where Lazarus was buried and they showed Him. This is where it's recorded saying that Jesus wept. It makes sense that He would cry. Lazarus was a good friend. I mean wouldn't you? It showed how He really loved His friend (vs35-36).
The Jews noticed Jesus and some believed and it was recorded that they wondered why Jesus, who opened the eyes of the blind couldn't keep His friend from dying (read vs 37). Yet Jesus had a reason for the sorrow they were in the midst of, like He always does.
Yet, they were also about to witness the miracle of the dead coming back to life. In the story, Jesus came to the grave, that was a cave with a large stone covering it up, with Mary and Martha behind Him and likely His disciples; and the Jews were also watching (vs 45). Jesus used sorrow to show His glory (read vs. 4, 39-40; It also reminds me of Romans 8:28). He called out for Lazarus to come out (read vs. 43). Lazarus miraculously came back to life! He was a living example of what God can do and from then on was a living example and proof of God's mighty, glorious, power!
•Just like Lazarus, we were dead in sin and Jesus brought us back to life through His blood. He gave us new life and now we too are living proof of what God can do. It's time to pass it on for others to have as well!John 11 you will find the story is about Lazarus’ miraculous resurrection. This story shows us what kind of friend Jesus was. He was a compassionate genuine friend. It shows us how He used the death of a close friend to demonstrate the glory and power of God.
In this story, Lazarus had been really sick and he had died. Jesus was in Jerusalem and had predicted that Lazarus was dead and He purposely waited till Lazarus had died to come back. It wasn't because He didn't care or couldn't control what had happened, it was because He could. In fact, He told Martha (who was busy being hostess and held in a slightly negative light the last time she was mentioned, back in Luke 10:38-42) that He was the resurrection and the life and he could make those who are dead alive again (read vs 25-26). Martha came out to greet him first saying, "If you had been here before now he would still be alive." That right there, was proof of Martha's true character and her faith in God (read vs 20-21). When Jesus said to her that her brother would rise again (vs25-26) and she answered with honesty and belief in Jesus and His words (read vs 24). Jesus reminded her how He was the resurrection and the life and could make the dead come alive (vs 25-26) and then asked Martha if she believed that and she said she did (read vs 27-her answer reminds me of Peter; it was the same answer he gave Jesus when He asked him who Peter thought He was (see Matthew 16:16)).
Then Martha went and got Mary who instantly rushed to Jesus and fell at his feet. Now Mary perhaps had a closer relationship with Jesus, but she likely had lost a little bit of faith and questioned Him on why He hadn't come sooner (vs 32). She was grieving and crying over her brother. Jesus was groaning along with her, feeling sad as well. Yet, He hadn't lost focus, and He then asked where Lazarus was buried and they showed Him. This is where it's recorded saying that Jesus wept. It makes sense that He would cry. Lazarus was a good friend. I mean wouldn't you? It showed how He really loved His friend (vs35-36).
The Jews noticed Jesus and some believed and it was recorded that they wondered why Jesus, who opened the eyes of the blind couldn't keep His friend from dying (read vs 37). Yet Jesus had a reason for the sorrow they were in the midst of, like He always does.
Yet, they were also about to witness the miracle of the dead coming back to life. In the story, Jesus came to the grave, that was a cave with a large stone covering it up, with Mary and Martha behind Him and likely His disciples; and the Jews were also watching (vs 45). Jesus used sorrow to show His glory (read vs. 4, 39-40; It also reminds me of Romans 8:28). He called out for Lazarus to come out (read vs. 43). Lazarus miraculously came back to life! He was a living example of what God can do and from then on was a living example and proof of God's mighty, glorious, power!
•Just like Lazarus, we were dead in sin and Jesus brought us back to life through His blood. He gave us new life and now we too are living proof of what God can do. It's time to pass it on for others to have as well!
