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Lessons from Lazarus (1)
'Now a certain man was sick ... Lazarus of Bethany...' John 11:1
Lazarus was a man Jesus raised from the dead. It's an amazing story of the miraculous. It's a great example of how Jesus proved he was the Son of God by giving life to Lazarus' dead limbs in the tomb with the words, 'Lazarus come out!' But there's more we can learn from this story. We learn a lot about Jesus' character too.
When Lazarus' sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was sick, Jesus knew what God was doing: 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it' (vv. 4-5). Jesus knew from the beginning how it would end.
Did Jesus rock up to Martha and Mary like a Las Vegas magician and say, 'Hey, had you going there didn't I, not coming for a few days and letting him die?! Alright girls, stop crying and prepare to fall at my feet and be amazed ... Lazarus! Come on down!'
No, he did the opposite. When Jesus met with the sisters, he wept. He mourned with them. He loved them so he felt and understood what they were going through.
The Bible says, 'Love must be sincere ... rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn' (Romans 12:9-15 NIV).
written by Bob Gass
'Now a certain man was sick ... Lazarus of Bethany...' John 11:1
Lazarus was a man Jesus raised from the dead. It's an amazing story of the miraculous. It's a great example of how Jesus proved he was the Son of God by giving life to Lazarus' dead limbs in the tomb with the words, 'Lazarus come out!' But there's more we can learn from this story. We learn a lot about Jesus' character too.
When Lazarus' sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was sick, Jesus knew what God was doing: 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it' (vv. 4-5). Jesus knew from the beginning how it would end.
Did Jesus rock up to Martha and Mary like a Las Vegas magician and say, 'Hey, had you going there didn't I, not coming for a few days and letting him die?! Alright girls, stop crying and prepare to fall at my feet and be amazed ... Lazarus! Come on down!'
No, he did the opposite. When Jesus met with the sisters, he wept. He mourned with them. He loved them so he felt and understood what they were going through.
The Bible says, 'Love must be sincere ... rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn' (Romans 12:9-15 NIV).
written by Bob Gass
