Origin: John 11:1-44 in the Bible
Once upon a time, in a small village called Bethany, there lived three siblings: Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus. They were dear friends of Jesus, and Jesus loved them very much.
One day, Lazarus fell very sick. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” They hoped that Jesus would come and heal their brother.
But when Jesus heard the news, He stayed where He was for two more days. Then He said to His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Martha ran out to meet Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha thought Jesus meant Lazarus would rise again in the future, at the resurrection. But Jesus had something miraculous in mind for that very moment.
Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried. The tomb was a cave with a stone rolled in front of the entrance. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, worried about the smell since Lazarus had been dead for four days, protested. But Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I 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.”
Then Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
And to everyone’s amazement, Lazarus, who was dead, came out of the tomb! He was wrapped in grave clothes, and Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
The people who witnessed this incredible miracle were filled with awe and belief in Jesus. They saw firsthand that Jesus had power even over death!
And so, children, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus teaches us that nothing is impossible for Jesus. He has power over sickness, death, and every situation in our lives. Just as He raised Lazarus from the dead, He can bring new life to our hearts and souls.
