Jesus raises Lazarus

Father God, we thank you for this is the day that You have made and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. We ask for understanding as we read today's Word and may You write Your Word LORD on our hearts and minds in the name of Jesus, Amen.

In the gospel of John, is a story of a man called Lazarus. Lazarus had two sisters Mary, Martha and Jesus loved them (John 11:5). One day, Jesus received news that Lazarus was sick. However, when He received this news, the Bible says Jesus took a little longer to go to Lazarus. (John 11:6). A few days later, Jesus goes to see him but by this time, Lazarus had died. Martha and Mary were very sad and crying over the loss of their brother. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." (John 11:21-22).

We also see that Jesus wept (John 11:35 ) not because He was sad about Lazarus' death. Jesus wept because of their unbelief. He was sad the people were crying because it meant that they had forgotten the many miracles that He did and as God's Son, nothing was impossible for Him.

So Jesus asked them where they had buried Lazarus and He asked them to take away the stone that was on Lazarus' tomb. Martha, said, "Lord, by this time there is a stench for he has been dead four days." (John 11:39) Jesus responded, "Did I not say that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).

Jesus then lifted up His eyes and prayed to Father God and said, "Father, thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, they may believe that You sent Me." (John 11:41-42)

With a loud voice, Jesus called out, "Lazarus, come forth!" The one that was dead, Jesus raised to life again. Lazarus got up from his tomb and walked to where the people were standing outside. Jesus then told the people around Lazarus to let him free from the grave clothes he had been wrapped in for his burial. (John 11:44)

LESSONS

• This story reminds us that God is love and His love will never fail you.

• When God sent Jesus, His Son to the world, He gave Him all the power so that He could perform all the signs and miracles that help and save the world from sin and death.

• In this story, we are reminded that when God says something, He will always do it.

• This story reminds us that when we pray, God answers our prayers as Jesus said above in John 11:41-42.

• In this story, we are also reminded that when you pray for something and you take long to receive the answer from God, it does not mean Jesus has forgotten about you. It means that Jesus loves you a lot and He has prepared a bigger blessing and miracle for your life so God's glory can be seen on your life.

• This story reminds us that with God nothing is impossible. If Jesus can raise dead people back to life, there is no situation that is too big for Him to change in the story of your life.

• This story also reminds that Jesus desires we believe and have faith in His goodness and love. When Jesus wept, He was sad the people did not understand that His love will never fail to come and save the ones He loves.

Let's pray: Father God, thank you for Your love that never fails to save us. Thank you God that today, every miracle and blessing that has been in waiting has now come forth in the name of Jesus. Thank you for he who the Son sets free is free indeed. Thank you LORD for our freedom in Christ. Thank you LORD for Your faithfulness. Thank you LORD for Your miracles and blessings that are always on time. Thank you LORD that Your glory is risen upon us in the name of Jesus. So we celebrate, give you all the praise and say thank you Father God in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to belong to Jesus by having a personal relationship with God as your Father and His Son Jesus who died for our sins and receive eternal life - which means you get to be with God in heaven all your life, please say this prayer below:

"Thank you Father God for sending Jesus, Your One and Only Son to die for my sins. I receive Him today and forever as Lord and Saviour of my life in the name of Jesus, Amen."