But he also said, I’m glad I wasn’t there. If he’s asleep, then he’ll wake up by himself, so why do we need to risk our lives to go? The disciples were apparently used to the mysterious nature of some of Jesus’ comments, and they had a round-about way of getting more information: They pointed out that the literal meaning didn’t make sense. 9-10), and then telling them that he had to go wake Lazarus up. They did not understand why Jesus would want to go back into the danger zone, so Jesus responded with a cryptic comment about walking in the light, and the coming of darkness (vs. Two days later, Jesus surprised his disciples by suggesting that they return to Judea.

There’s a lesson there for us, too, for we do not always understand what Jesus really meant. Nevertheless, he let his disciples think that Lazarus would not die. He knew that the purpose was to bring more glory to God and his Son (v. Was he mistaken? No, because Jesus could see beyond death, and he knew that in this case, death was not the end of the story. Nevertheless, Jesus said that the sickness would not end in death. Rather, it means that he has a different plan in mind, because he can see something that we cannot.Īs it turns out, Lazarus was probably already dead by the time the messengers reached Jesus. To me, that sounds like a request for help, but Jesus did not come.ĭoes it ever seem to you like the Lord is slow to respond? It surely did for Mary and Martha, but the delay does not mean that Jesus doesn’t like us. “The sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick’ ” ( John 11:1-3 ). Notice the way that John tells the story: Lazarus was not just a random resident of Judea - he was the brother of Martha and Mary, the Mary who loved Jesus so much that she poured perfume on his feet. I pray that I do not do injustice to the story as I share some of my thoughts with you. But there is more to the story than that, and John includes some details that may have deeper meaning for us today. It was a tremendous miracle, showing that Jesus has the power to raise us from the dead, too. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house- 28 for I have five brothers-so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have ( N)Moses and the Prophets ( O)let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, ( P)father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear ( Q)Moses and the Prophets, ( R)neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. 24 And he called out, ( J)‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and ( K)cool my tongue, for ( L)I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that ( M)you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in ( G)Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and ( H)saw Abraham far off and Lazarus ( I)at his side.

22 The poor man died and was carried by ( E)the angels ( F)to Abraham's side. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 20 And at his gate ( C)was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with ( D)what fell from the rich man's table. 19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in ( A)purple and fine linen and ( B)who feasted sumptuously every day.

Lazarus bible story