What did it take to raise Lazarus back to life?
Is anything impossible for Jesus?
But why were his friends so surprised?
(See John 11).
Jesus and his disciples were ministering on the eastern side of the Jordan River when their friend Lazarus took ill.
Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, sent Jesus a message.
“He whom you love is sick.”
Jesus got the message. He turned to his disciples and assured them, “This sickness is not unto death.”
So, no one worried about not leaving immediately.
Several days later, Jesus told the men they needed to return to Bethany.
The disciples didn’t like that idea. The Pharisees had threatened to stone Jesus should he return.
“Our friend Lazarus sleeps. I go that I may wake him up.”
Jesus wasn’t making sense
So, what else was new?
Jesus spoke plainly, “Lazarus is dead. I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.”
They went after him, but they must have been confused.
- How did Jesus know Lazarus was dead?
- If so, what was the point?
- Would they all be stoned to death if they went with him?
Especially given their tardiness.
Which looked even worse when they arrived in Bethany and discovered Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
By Jewish custom, his soul would be in heaven or Sheol by now.
Lazarus’ sisters and faith
Someone sent word to Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha.
The practical Martha went to greet him. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus acknowledged her words, “Your brother will rise again.”
He knew what it would take to bring Lazarus back to life, so he reassured Martha.
“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” This was Martha’s statement of faith.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She stated her faith. She believed Jesus could raise Lazarus back to life again.
Meanwhile, Martha sent a message to her sister Mary, telling her of Jesus’ return.
Mary jumped up and ran to meet him.
Puzzled Pharisees, trying to comfort Mary, followed. They shook their heads when they saw Jesus himself. “Surely this man could have raised Lazarus from the dead if he is who he claims to be?”
Weeping and in travail (“groaning in his spirit”), Jesus stood at the tomb.
He told the people to remove the stone.
Time to raise Lazarus
What did it take to raise Lazarus from the dead?
Travail–a deep anguish–and the confidence that Jesus’ prayers would work.
You know how the story ends:
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. 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 grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
John 11:40-44 NKJV
Who would have been most shocked when Lazarus shuffled out, still wrapped in cloth?
Being raised from the dead
We met Ed Loughran from Illinois last year.
His story of being raised from the dead is amazing. (The interview is more than an hour long.)
And since he sat next to us as he described what happened–he was alive!
What did it take to be raised from the dead?
Faith and determination–and the knowledge that God could do all things.
The Pharisees were so shocked, they decided the only thing they could do was kill Lazarus again.
(As if he would stay dead?)
And Jesus, too.
Well, you know what happened on Easter Sunday!
Thoughts? Reactions? Lurker?