SCRIPTURE
John 11: 1-45 New Testament
Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus since childhood. He lived in Bethany with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. He was a wealthy businessman.
Throughout Jesus's three years of ministry, Jesus performed miracles, healing sick, blind, paralyzed, deaf, and demon possessed people. Sometimes, especially in the early years, his miracles were quiet, private ones that only a few people witnessed. These miracles, were also called signs because they were signs or proof of his divinity. But as it got closer to the end of his ministry, Jesus performed one last big sign with dozens of witnesses present.
Lazarus got sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus to come quickly and heal him. In those days a person had to be dead for four days as proof of death. It was so in this last public sign.
When Jesus got word about his dear friend, he purposely waited four days. The sisters were very upset that he hadn't come sooner to heal their brother. But Jesus wanted the miracle he was about to do, show the numerous witnesses beyond any doubt whatsoever, that he was the Son of God.
A crowd of people followed everyone to the tomb and he ordered the stone covering it to be rolled away. Then Jesus yelled, "Lazarus, come out!" What a shock! Out he came from the tomb still in his linen burial clothes wrapped like a mummy! He was definitely alive. They unwrapped him and yes, it was true! He was raised from the dead!
LESSON
Only God can restore life. Jesus was definitely God! We, too, can have eternal life if we believe in Him. There's more to it but that's a huge part of the bottom line!💕