The powerful story of Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead is a testament to Jesus's divine power over death and a beacon of hope in times of despair. In the small village of Bethany, Lazarus—a dear friend of Jesus—lay gravely ill.

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His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent an urgent message to Jesus: “Lord, the one You love is sick!” (John 11:3). But Jesus didn’t rush to heal Lazarus. Instead, He waited—and what happened next would shock everyone and reveal His power over even death!

Fun Fact: Bethany, nestled only 2 miles from Jerusalem, holds the ancient tomb of Lazarus, a place still visited today, connecting us to this incredible event!

Link to Other Story: Discover how Jesus healed a blind man with mud!

Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

Chapter 1: The Delay and the Darkness

Upon receiving the news of Lazarus’s illness, Jesus, surprisingly, chose to remain where He was for two more days. His disciples, puzzled and concerned, questioned His decision, especially considering the dangers awaiting them in Judea. “Teacher, why risk going back to Judea? People there want to stone You!” (John 11:8). But Jesus, with a calm assurance, explained, “This sickness won’t end in death. It’s for God’s glory!” (John 11:4).

Meanwhile, in Bethany, Lazarus succumbed to his illness. His sisters, with grieving hearts, prepared his body for burial, wrapping him in burial cloths and laying him in a tomb sealed with a heavy stone. For four long days, the village was filled with mourning, the finality of death settling heavily in their hearts.

What This Teaches Us:

• God’s Timing Isn’t Ours: Jesus’ delay was purposeful, setting the stage for a greater miracle.
• Death Isn’t the End: Jesus declared Himself “the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25), offering hope beyond the grave.

Fun Fact: Jewish tradition held that the soul lingered near the body for three days. By the fourth day, everyone knew Lazarus’s death was irreversible, making his resurrection all the more astonishing.

Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever felt like it was too late for a situation? How did things eventually turn out?
• Why do you think Jesus referred to Lazarus’s death as “sleep” (John 11:11)?

Chapter 2: Tears and the Tomb

When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Martha rushed to meet Him, her voice filled with sorrow: “Lord, if You’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!” (John 11:21). Mary, too, fell at His feet, her tears echoing the grief of the village. Jesus, deeply moved by their sorrow, wept alongside them, revealing His profound empathy and love.

Then, with a resolute purpose, Jesus approached the tomb and commanded, “Take away the stone!” Martha, overwhelmed by the reality of her brother’s decay, protested, “But he’ll smell!” Jesus replied with gentle authority, “Didn’t I tell you you’d see God’s glory?” (John 11:40).

Dramatic Moment:

• The Crowd: A mixture of mourners and onlookers, their hearts filled with doubt and curiosity.
• The Prayer: Jesus, with a loud voice, lifted His eyes to heaven and proclaimed, “Father, thank You for hearing Me!” (John 11:41).
• The Command: “Lazarus, come out!”

Fun Fact: Tombs in those times were often caves carved into hillsides, with heavy stone doors that required significant effort to move.

Activity:

“Unwrap the Mummy” Game

1. Wrap a volunteer in toilet paper, mimicking Lazarus’s burial clothes.
2. Have the other children excitedly shout, “[Name], come out!”
3. The “mummy” playfully wiggles free as everyone cheers.

Chapter 3: Life from Death

A rustling sound echoed from the tomb, and to everyone’s astonishment, Lazarus emerged, still bound in his grave clothes. The crowd erupted in a mix of awe and fear. Some believed immediately, while others, unable to comprehend what they had witnessed, hurried to inform the religious leaders. Jesus, with a calm directive, instructed, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:44).

What This Means for Us:

1. Jesus Conquers Death: This miracle foreshadowed His own resurrection, proving His power over death.
2. No Hole Too Deep: Jesus reaches us in our darkest moments, whether grief, shame, or despair.
3. Share the Wonder: The news of Lazarus’s resurrection spread rapidly, a testament to the power of witnessing God’s glory.

Modern Connection: This miracle is akin to a doctor reviving a patient who has flatlined, but amplified to an unimaginable degree, highlighting Jesus’ ultimate authority.

Bible Verses to Remember

• John 11:25:
  • "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.'"
  • This¹ verse is central to the story, revealing Jesus's divine nature and power over death. It offers hope for eternal life to those who believe.
• John 11:35:
  • "Jesus wept."
  • This short verse powerfully conveys Jesus's empathy and compassion for human suffering. It reminds us that Jesus shares in our sorrows.
• John 11:4:
  • "When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified² through it.”"
  • This verse provides context to the reason Jesus allows Lazarus to die. It shows that even difficult situations can be used to display Gods glory.
• John 11:43-44:
  • "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped³ with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him⁴ go.”"
  • These verses display the raw power of Jesus's words, and his ability to bring life from death. They also show the reality of the miracle that occurred.

What Can We Learn?

• Jesus Weeps With Us:
  • This story shows Jesus's deep empathy and compassion. When He saw Mary and Martha's grief, He wept. This reminds us that Jesus understands our pain and cares about our sadness. We are not alone in our sorrow.
• No One Is Beyond Hope:
  • Lazarus was dead for four days, a point where, humanly speaking, there was no hope. Yet, Jesus brought him back to life. This miracle demonstrates that with God, even the most hopeless situations can be transformed. If Jesus can raise the dead, He can bring life to any problem we face.
• God’s Glory > Our Comfort:
  • Jesus's delay in going to Bethany, though it caused Martha and Mary distress, ultimately led to a greater display of God's power. Sometimes, God allows difficult times to reveal His glory and work in ways we cannot understand. It teaches us to trust in God's plan, even when it doesn't make sense.
• Jesus Conquers Death:
  • The raising of Lazarus is a powerful premonition of Jesus' own resurrection. It shows that Jesus has power over death itself. This gives us hope for eternal life through faith in Him.
• Jesus's words are powerful:
  • Jesus simply said "Lazarus, come out!" and Lazarus did. This shows the power of Jesus's words, and that what he says will happen.
• Belief in Jesus is rewarded:
  • Many people saw the miracle and believed in Jesus. This shows that witnessing God's power can lead to faith.

Discussion Questions:

• How would you react if you saw Lazarus walk out of his tomb?
• What “dead” situations in your life need Jesus’ resurrection power?

Activities for Kids

1. "Lazarus Relay Race" (Physical Activity & Teamwork):
   • Materials: Scarves or strips of cloth, cones or markers.
   • Instructions:
     • Divide the kids into teams.
     • One child from each team will be the "Lazarus."
     • The other team members will "wrap" the "Lazarus" with scarves or cloth strips, mimicking the grave clothes.
     • On "go," the remaining team members will race to "unwrap" their "Lazarus" while shouting, "Lazarus, come out!"
     • The first team to completely "free" their "Lazarus" wins.
   • Learning: This activity helps kids visualize the scene and emphasizes the command, "Come out!" It also promotes teamwork and physical activity.
2. "Stone Tomb Craft" (Creative & Sensory Activity):
   • Materials: Clay or cardboard, construction paper, markers, and optional materials like small stones or sand.
   • Instructions:
     • Kids can create a "stone tomb" using clay or cardboard, shaping it like a cave or box with a removable "stone" door.
     • They can draw or create a paper "Lazarus" to place inside the tomb.
     • Decorate the tomb.
   • Learning: This craft helps children visualize the setting and engage with the story through hands-on creation.
3. "Unwrap the Mummy" Game (Dramatic Play):
   • Materials: Toilet paper.
   • Instructions:
     • Choose one child to be "Lazarus."
     • Wrap the child in toilet paper, mimicking the grave clothes.
     • The other children can then shout, "[Child's name], come out!" in a loud, dramatic voice, like Jesus's command.
     • The child that is wrapped in toilet paper then breaks free of the toilet paper.
   • Learning: This activity lets kids act out the moment of Lazarus's resurrection, adding a fun and memorable element to the story.

Link to Other Story: See how Jesus’ own resurrection changed everything!

Key Truth: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life—no darkness, no tomb, no problem is too big for Him!