Raising of Lazarus
John 11:17-27; 38-44
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
2 Johanian meanings:
The cure for “death” or to “death” would enable humanity to see
_______________________________.
Jesus talks of his glory in connection with _____________________.
John 7:39
What does Jesus say that’s important:
I AM the resurrection and the life
Whoever believes in me …..
That they might believe You sent me
Take off the grave clothes
In practice, what does all of this mean:
Can we pray for someone to be raised from the dead?
Are there living “deaths” that we need to be freed from?
What grave clothes are you wrapped in that you need to be freed from?
PRAYER FOR LIFE
Almighty and Everlasting God, our Creator and Sustainer and giver of life, we believe this morning that You are the resurrection and the life. Come this morning and free us from whatever binds us, free us from whatever holds us captive. Free us from the parts of us that have died or are controlling us. Free us and let Your glory shine in us and through us. We give ourselves completely to You. We seek Your help and Your favor in Your time. In Jesus Name, Amen.
TODAY’S PREACHER
Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC