The Story of Lazarus Being Raised from the Dead, Part 1 (John 11:17-44)

There was a man named Lazarus that had two sisters, Mary and Martha. They loved Jesus, and he loved them. Jesus and his disciples were always welcome to visit in their home and enjoy the food that was prepared for them. One day Lazarus became very sick. His sisters sent word to Jesus, but he was so far away it may have taken a day or two to find him. Two days after they got word that Lazarus was sick, Jesus said to his disciples, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” Why do you think Jesus said he was glad he was not there when Lazarus died? He could have healed him of his sickness if they had been there. Do you think Jesus plans to do something ever more wonderful than healing a sick man, something that will help many more people believe in him? When Jesus and his disciples arrived near the place where Lazarus died, they were told he had been in the grave four days. As soon as Martha heard Jesus was coming she went out of the house to meet him. Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again and she believed him, but she thought he was talking about the resurrection in the last day. Martha then went to get Mary, and when Mary came to Jesus the people with her in the house followed her. Mary and the people were crying, and Jesus said to them, “Where have you laid him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.” And then, Jesus cried with them. The shortest verse in the Bible says, “Jesus wept.” Tomorrow, in Part 2 of this Bible Story, Jesus will do something even more wonderful than healing a sick man. Do you know what it is?