John  11 v 1-45

 

The New Testament, tells of Jesus having a personal relationship with a family in Bethany, and on occasions would visit them.  The family consisted of a brother named Lazarus and two sisters, Martha and Mary.  One day Lazarus had become sick, so his sisters sent a message to Jesus. When he heard this, Jesus decided he would visit him, saying the sickness would not lead to his death.  But Jesus decided to wait for two days then said they would go to Judea to see him.

When Jesus mentioned going to them, the disciples were concerned because on a previous occasion, the people there tried to stone Jesus. They said if Lazarus had fallen asleep he would wake up.   The words fallen asleep means died. Death is compared to sleep from which people will one day awaken.

Jesus said, there are twelve hours of daylight, and anyone who walks in those hours will not stumble for they see this world’s light. it is when people walk by night that they stumble for they have no light. This means Jesus is the light of the world, and to walk in the light that Jesus gives, is to walk in fellowship with him, believing and obeying his words. In contrast, those who walk in darkness means to walk against the words of Jesus, and have no spiritual life.

After he had said this, Jesus said our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, I am going to wake him up. The disciples were still not happy about going, saying he will get better.  Jesus then told them, Lazarus was dead and they were going so that they may believe.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.  Bethany where the family lived, was less than two miles from Jerusalem so that many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.  When Martha hard Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here my brother would not have died, but I know that even now God will give whatever you ask.  Jesus told her that her brother would rise again.

She replied, I know he will rise again in the resurrection, at the last day.

Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live even though they die, and whoever lives their lives by believing in me, will never die.

Jesus, once again deeply moved, told them to take away the stone.  Martha  warned, by this time there will be bad odor. They took away the stone, when Jesus said you will see the glory of God.

Jesus then thanked God for hearing him, for the people to benefit of knowing that God sent H  im.   Jesus then loudly called come out Lazarus, and he walked out.  Many of the Jews had gone to be with Mary who was  most upset and having seen what Jesus had done, went to tell the Pharisees.  A Council was called to determine what they should do to silence Jesus

We thanks to God for His Holy Gospel and praise the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

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