Stories From The New Testament: The story of Lazarus

One day Jesus got a message that Lazarus, the brother of His good friends Mary and Martha, was dying.

Jesus did not go to Lazarus right away, and Lazarus died. Jesus knew that this was the will of God. He knew that God was going to use the death of Lazarus to help people understand about God’s love and power.

Four days later, Jesus arrived and Martha met Him on the road.

She was angry at Jesus because He had not been there to save her brother from death. Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life Anyone who lives and believes in me, even though they are dead, yet shall they live.”

Martha did not yet understand what Jesus was about to do. She thought Jesus meant that Lazarus would come back to life at the end of time, when everyone who believed in God would be brought back to life.

Mary joined Martha and Jesus at Lazarus’ grave. When Jesus saw Mary’s pain, Jesus wept also. Jesus told them to remove the rock from the grave. Then He commanded, “Lazarus, come forth!”

All the people there that day saw that Jesus was the true resurrection and the life and many knew that He was the Son of God. They would never fear death again. In the days to come, Jesus had dinner with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. And all of them rejoiced and gave glory to God.

(adapted from John, Chapter 11)