Lesson 20: Lazarus

Introduction:  Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus. He lived in 
Bethany on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives approximately 
two miles from Jerusalem.  On his journeys, Jesus on occasion 
stopped to visit at the home of Lazarus.  It is said in Jn.11:5 
that Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary 
(Lesson 11).   This lesson  concerns the resurrection of Lazarus.

I. Lazarus Is Sick: (John 11:1-10)
   A. The sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus 
      that their brother was sick (vs. 3). "Lord, behold, he whom 
      You love is sick."
   B. Jesus upon receiving word of his sickness said,
      1."This sickness is not unto death, 
      2. but for the glory of God,   
      3. that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (vs. 4).
    C. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters (vs. 5).
    D. Jesus delayed going to Bethany for two days.
    E. After this He said to His disciples, "Let us go to Judea 
       again" (vs. 7).
       1. The disciples were afraid of what the Jews might do to 
      Jesus if he went there, that he might be stoned. (vs. 8)
       2. The Jews had attempted to stone Jesus when he said, 
      "before Abraham was, I AM" (Jn. 8:58, 59).
       3. The Jews on another occasion tried to stone Jesus when 
      they accused Him of blasphemy, making Himself God 
      (Jn. 10:30-33).
       4. We most often remember Thomas for his unbelief 
      following Jesus' resurrection, but here we see his 
      courage. "Then Thomas,...said to his fellow disciples, 
      "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (vs. 16).

Principles:
    1.  The miracles performed by Jesus brought glory to God.
    2.  One who is a disciple must be willing to die for his Lord.


II. Lazarus Sleeps; Lazarus Is Dead: (Jn. 11:11, 14)
   A. Jesus tells His disciples they are going to Judea so that 
      he can wake up Lazarus(vs. 11).
   B. The disciples still thought Lazarus was just sick and that 
      he would get well, but Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead and 
      that He was going to raise him from the dead (vss. 12-14). 
      1. The raising of Lazarus from the dead was so that they 
     might believe.
      2. "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, 
     that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him" 
     (vs. 15).           
   C. When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has already been 
      in the tomb for 4 days  (vs. 17).
   D. Jesus consoles Mary and Martha (vss. 20-37).
      1. Martha, hearing that Jesus was coming, met him on the 
     way and said:
     a. Lazarus wouldn't have died if Jesus had arrived earlier.
     b. Whatever Jesus might ask of God, God would grant.
      2. Jesus replied that Lazarus would rise again.
      3. Martha thought that Jesus spoke of the resurrection 
     "at the last day" (vs. 24).
      4. Jesus said to Martha,
     a. "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes 
        in me shall live even if he dies.
     b. Everyone who believes in me shall never die.
      5. Martha replied, I have believed that you are the Christ, 
     the son of God.
      6. Martha went away and told Mary that Jesus wanted to see 
     her.
      7. Mary said to Jesus what Martha had said earlier 
     (vss. 21, 32).
      8  When Jesus saw Mary and the Jews,who had followed her, 
     weeping he:                          
     a. was moved in spirit.
     b. was troubled and wept.
      9. Some of the Jews wondered why one who could open the eyes 
     of the blind could not have kept Lazarus from dying 
     (vs. 37).

Principles:
    1. Miracles were performed so that people would believe in 
       Jesus.
    2. It is easy to misunderstand God if we do not know His 
       purpose.

III. Lazarus Raised From The Dead,  (vss. 38-44).
   A. They led Jesus to the tomb.
   B. Jesus said "Remove the stone".
   C. Martha replied that He had been dead four days and there 
      would be a stench.
   D. Jesus reminded Martha of what he had just told her, "if you 
      believe, you will see the glory of God."
   E. The stone was removed.
   F. Jesus gave the glory to God that the people might believe 
      that God had sent Him.
   G. Jesus cried out "Lazarus, come forth".
   H. Lazarus came forth in his burial wrappings.
   I. The chief priests and the Pharisees therefore conspired to 
      kill Jesus, and Lazarus (Jn. 11:45-57; 12:9-11).

Principles:
    1.  God has power over death.
    2.  Those who love God and obey his commandments are promised                        everlasting life (2 Tim. 1:10).

Questions:

1. What relationship did Jesus have with Lazarus and his two 
   sisters?
2. Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead?  Give at least 
   three reasons.
3. Why did Jesus tarry on the way to Bethany, allowing Lazarus 
   to die?
4. Why did the leaders of the Jews react so strongly to the 
   raising of Lazarus?
5. What did Martha think Jesus was speaking of when He said that 
   Lazarus would rise again?
   Who will be raised from the dead?  
6. Why was Jesus moved at the sight of Mary and the Jews weeping?
7. Why did Jesus weep if he knew that he would raise Lazarus?
8. Why did Jesus love some more than others?  Of whom else is 
   this said?
9. What are some ways men conspire against the truth today? 
10. What other occurrences of Jesus raising people from the dead 
    do we find in the New
     Testament?                
11. How courageous were Jesus' disciples after he was arrested?  
    Give examples.

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