The Raising of Lazarus
This lesson teaches us that there is some sickness that is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified. That Jesus is the light of the world and as long as we are following Him we will not stumble because we see the light of this world. Jesus said “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” These are words to live by.
John 11:1-45
There was a certain man who was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus telling Him their brother was sick.
When Jesus heard that, he said, “this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4).
Now Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. When Jesus had heard that he was sick, he remained two days in the same place where he was. Then after that Jesus said to his disciples they should go into Judaea again. The disciple reminded Jesus that the Jews tried to stone Him and asked if they should return to that place.
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
Jesus told His disciples that their friend Lazarus sleeps but He may awaken him out of his sleep. The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying. Jesus was speaking of His own death. Then Jesus said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Jesus said that He was glad for their sakes that He was not there when Lazarus died, in order that they may believe. Then when Jesus came, He found that Lazarus had lain in the grave four days already. Bethany is near Jerusalem. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Martha told Jesus if He had been there Lazarus would not have died. She knew that whatever Jesus asks of God, God would give it to Jesus.
Jesus said unto her that her brother shall rise again. Martha knew that Lazarus shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believeth in me shall never die. Jesus ask Martha if she believes this.
Martha knew Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Martha then went to her sister Mary and told her what the Master had said. Mary then came where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died. Jesus wept.
Jesus went to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus told Martha to take away the stone. Martha told Jesus that by this time he would stink: for he had been dead four days. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.
Then Jesus cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus told them to unbind him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
What Can Be Learned From This Lesson?
Jesus tells us that there is some sickness that is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified. When Jesus brought Lazarus back from death many of the Jews believed on Jesus.
Jesus reminds us all if we walk in the light and know what we are doing we will not stumble because we see the light of this world. However; if you close your eyes and try to walk around you are going to stumble over everything. Jesus is our light of the world and provides the light we should be walking in.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Raising of Lazarus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2095,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Raising of Lazarus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2095,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Raising of Lazarus:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2095, (accessed).
