Jesus Raises Lazarus

In the village of Bethany, close to Jerusalem, lived two sisters named Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus. They were some of Jesus' dearest friends.

One day Lazarus became very ill. The sisters sent a message to Jesus to tell him that his friend was sick. Jesus loved all three of them. But instead of rushing off, he stayed where he was for two more days. He told his disciples that this sickness would end by showing God's glory.

When Jesus finally reached Bethany, Lazarus had already died and had been in his tomb for four days. Many friends had come to comfort the sisters.

Martha hurried out to meet Jesus. She told him that if he had come sooner, her brother would still be alive. Yet even now, she said, she trusted that God would give Jesus whatever he asked. Jesus told her that her brother would rise. Then he said something amazing: he himself is the Resurrection and the Life, and anyone who believes in him has a life that death cannot end. He asked if she believed this. Martha said yes. She believed he was the Messiah, the Son of God.

Then Mary came, crying, and knelt at Jesus' feet. When Jesus saw her tears and the tears of everyone with her, his heart was stirred, and Jesus cried too. People saw how much he had loved Lazarus.

The tomb was a cave with a big stone across the front. Jesus asked them to roll the stone away. Martha worried, because it had been four days. But Jesus reminded her to trust. They moved the stone. Jesus looked up and thanked his Father for always listening to him. Then he called Lazarus by name, loudly, and told him to come out.

And Lazarus walked out, still wrapped in his burial cloths! Jesus told the people to free him from the cloths so he could go home.

Jesus is God's Son. He shares our sadness, and he is stronger than death. One day he will raise all who belong to him to new life with God forever.