Jesus received a message from Mary and Martha, saying their
brother was
sick. "This sickness won't be the end," explained Jesus. "It's for
God's glory."
After two days, Jesus said he would go to Lazarus. But the
disciples were afraid, saying, "But they tried to kill You last
time we were in Judea!"
"Yes," said Jesus, "hut Lazarus is sleeping and I need to go wake
him." The disciples asked if this meant that Lazarus was getting
better.
"No," said Jesus, "he is dead. And it's good that I wasn't there.
This will help you to believe."
"Let's go even if it means death," said Thomas.
Martha met Jesus at the edge of town. "Lord," she cried, "if You
had been here, my brother would be alive. Still, I know God will
give You what You ask."
"Lazarus will come hack to life," said Jesus.
"I know he will come to life in the resurrection at the last day,"
said Martha.
"I am the resurrection and the life," said Jesus. "Anyone who
believes in Me will live—even if he dies. Do you believe this,
Martha?"
"Yes, Lord," she answered. "I believe You are the Christ, the Son
of God, the one who will save the world."
Martha went home to tell Mary that Jesus had conic. Then Mary
hurried to the edge of town, followed by many Jewish friends who
had come to comfort the sisters. "Lord," sobbed Mary, "if You had
been here, my brother would not have died!"
Jesus looked at Mary and the others who were crying. "Where have
you laid Lazarus?" he asked.
"Come, we will show You," they said.
As they walked, Jesus cried too.
"Look," whispered some of the Jewish friends. "He really did love
Lazarus."
They stopped before the tomb. "Remove the stone," Jesus commanded,
His face wet with tears.
"But Lord," said Martha, "Lazarus has beet dead for days. There
will be a horrible smell."
"Believe and see God's glory," said Jesus.
The stone was moved, and Jesus prayed. Then, in a loud voice He
called, "Lazarus, come out!" The crowd grew silent as they watched
and waited.
Out stepped a man wrapped in cloth! Gasps of wonder rippled
through the crowd. "Help him remove the grave clothes so he can
walk," said Jesus.
Martha went home to tell Mary that Jesus had conic. Then Mary
hurried to the edge of town, followed by many Jewish friends who
had come to comfort the sisters. "Lord," sobbed Mary, "if You had
been here, my brother would not have died!"
with tears.
