Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 4
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in one of the most amazing stories of all time. But who was Lazarus? He was a beloved friend of Jesus who lived in Bethany, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha.
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
Now, we’ve come to the most amazing part of this 4 part story. In John 11:38-44 (ESV), we read,
“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 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.’”
John 11:38-44 (ESV)
Imagine the Scene
Can you imagine the scene? Just try to picture yourself among the mourners.
These people believed Jesus had performed other miracles. They may have questioned the source of His power, but the facts were undeniable. But raise the dead? Not gonna happen.
But it did happen.
Jesus called upon His Father. He didn’t have to verbalize the fact that He knew God always heard Him. It was for the crowd’s benefit—and by extension, for our benefit. It was His desire that the mourners would know that God had sent Him.
What if We Witnessed This Event
If we witnessed what they did, we would think we were watching actors on a movie set. The male lead calling loudly for a dead man to rise from the dead. The cast of characters standing around with a variety of expressions on their faces. Some may have been rolling their eyes and thinking this Jesus had gone too far this time. Others may have been gazing at the open tomb wondering if He really had the power to call Lazarus from what was to be his final resting place—at least until the last day.
And what about the dead man’s sisters, Mary and Martha. Did they dare hope? Could their friend really do this for them? Was this the reason Jesus had stayed away when they sent word that Lazarus was sick?
But no one had to wait for long. Of course, the dead man heard the voice of the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (as it says in John 14:1). And out he came.
Did he stumble? Did he bump into the wall of the tomb? After all, he was wrapped in grave clothes. Maybe he walked straight toward the One who’d called him from beyond the grave.
The News Must Have Spread Like Wildfire
At any rate, when he was freed from the grave clothes as Jesus instructed, I imagine there was one incredible party.
Imagine just how quickly the news spread.
“Did you hear what Jesus did now?”
“No, you can’t be serious. Really?”
“You were there? You actually saw Lazarus come out of the tomb?”
“You mean this Jesus can raise the dead as well as heal those born blind?”
“Do you think He could be . . .”
“Don’t even say it. You know what the religious leaders think of Him.”
“Yes, but how could He do these things if God hadn’t sent Him, if He wasn’t the promised Messiah?”
“I know what you mean. Maybe . . . just maybe.”
Of course, I don’t know exactly what they said. I’m not that old, but I do know that some people weren’t at all happy about what was going on. We’ll learn more about that next time. But for now, let’s rejoice in God’s great love and in His ability to meet any and every need we will ever have.
How would you have reacted if you had been present? HopeStreamRadio. Contact us if you are have some questions and need some answers. Click here to read Part 3.
Read the Entire Series:
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 1
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 2
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 3
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead – Part 4
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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Images Courtesy of:
Whitby Abbey Graveyard: Amy Halverson
Resurrection of Lazarus: Public Domain (Anon)
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