Jesus Raises Lazarus at Bethany

When a friend of Jesus is very ill and on his death bed, you would expect that He would drop everything and go to see him. Instead, Jesus stays longer where He is and then goes to see Mary and Martha as Lazarus is no more.

He goes to the entrance of the village where Martha meets Him and she hints at Him being able to do anything even now, four days after her brother’s death. Mary runs to Jesus and falls to His feet crying and saying He could have prevented the death if only He had been here. Jesus is moved to tears by the outpouring of grief all around and then goes to the tomb and calls Lazarus out with a loud voice. Lazarus walks out still wrapped up in the strips of linen that were used on his dead body.

Jesus demonstrated, even before His own death and resurrection, His sovereignty over death. He is the author and finisher of our lives on earth. He is the only One who can decide when life must begin or end. Lazarus didn’t live forever on earth after his resurrection but Jesus gave the people complete proof that He was the resurrection and the life. Even today, in life and in death, we are the most blessed of all people, for "to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21, NIV). Meaning, when we live, it’s for God’s glory, and when we die, we spend eternity with Him. There is no losing either way! What an assurance!

How does that change how you view Jesus?

How does that impact how you view your life here on earth?

Some of us live our lives without impacting anyone and with no view of eternity. We live and move like zombies. It’s time we take Jesus’ instruction personally and remove those grave clothes and really live!