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Jesus-Raises Lazarus From The Dead
May 30, 2020

Throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, Jesus was often criticized for eating and spending time with people who were considered undesirable by the religious establishment. In their mind, a righteous person would never associate with an unrighteous person and Jesus confounded their reasoning all of the time. Jesus also associated with government officials like tax collectors who were also considered to be undesirable.

Often asked why he was eating or spending time with sinners and government officials, Jesus on one occasion responded with a parable and gave an example of a shepherd who having one hundred sheep will spend a great deal of effort to locate and rescue a missing sheep. Jesus explained that similarly in heaven, there is great joy when a sinner is brought to repentance.

Luke 15:1-7
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Later, Jesus would be approached by Mary and Martha, who were also friends of Jesus and told Jesus that his friend Lazarus was sick. Jesus shared with them that Lazarus would not die and in a few days went to Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. As He was nearing Bethany, Jesus was approached by Martha and found out that Lazarus died a few days previously. Because Martha had faith, Jesus reminded her that Lazarus would live once again, and Martha thought Jesus was referencing the resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus and Martha made their way back to Mary who was still receiving visitors at the family residence. Everyone was sad and crying and their sadness brought Jesus to tears also. People were wondering how a man who could restore sight to a blind person couldn’t keep a close friend from dying.

John 11:17-37
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 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. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he 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 liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Approaching the grave of Lazarus was very hard for Jesus to do. Jesus was feeling every emotion just like any person would have. Because Lazarus had been buried in a cave with a stone moved in front, Jesus asked for the stone to be removed which caused concern for Martha because she knew his body would stink very badly after being dead four days. Jesus again reminded Martha that is she would believe she would see the glory of God . Eventually the stone was removed and Jesus lifted His head up to heaven and thanked God the Father for hearing His prayers and Jesus shared with God that these people saw Jesus as being sent from the Father. Jesus then spoke in a loud voice, probably so everyone would clearly hear Him, and told Lazarus to come out of the grave. When Lazarus stood up in the burial shroud everyone was shocked and Jesus had to remind them to help cut off the burial shroud. While most who saw this believed that Jesus was the Messiah, a few did not and through them word got back to the Pharisees and Chief Priests who from that moment began plotting to take the life of Jesus.

John 11:38-54
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 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 thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose 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. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

It would take the death of Jesus to usher in the time when the Holy Spirit would be made freely available to people who are called by God the Father. It was on the Feast of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was first given to the church. Tomorrow is the Christian Feast of Pentecost, a Holy Day, and a Bible study will also be available tomorrow.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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