The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus had some close friends; Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha.
He often visited in their home.
One day Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, but He didn't
go to them right away. He waited and during that time Lazarus died.
When Jesus finally decided to go to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for
four days. Martha heard that Jesus was coming and she ran out of the
house to meet him. He was at the edge of the town, but had not entered
it yet. She said that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus would not have
died.
Jesus said, "Your brother will rise again." Martha thought he was
speaking of the resurrection at the end of time. She didn't seem to
understand that Jesus was talking about a time very soon.
Jesus talked to her about the resurrection and asked her if she
believed. She said, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the
Son of God who was to come into the world."
Martha went to get her sister, Mary, who came and fell at Jesus' feet.
She said the same thing that Martha had said, "If you had been here he
would not have died."
When Jesus saw them crying, he also cried with them.
They went to the place where Lazarus had been buried. It was a cave
with a stone over the opening. Jesus told them to take away the stone.
Then he prayed to God and said, "Lazarus, come out!", and from the cave
Lazarus came walking out. He was wrapped up with strips of linen and a
cloth around his face.
Jesus said, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Mary and Martha and their friends were so happy. Lazarus was alive and
back with them again! After this, many of the Jews believed on Jesus.