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Index
Topic: The Miracles of Jesus
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” John 11:43
The purpose of the lesson is to teach that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that those who believe in him have the hope of eternal life.
Note: Teachers should read John 11:1 to 45 as they study the lesson.
Introduction
We have been learning about Jesus’ miracles. Each miracle showed His power, but also brought a very important teaching. Today we are going to talk about a wonderful miracle: the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus brought Lazarus back to life! But think with me: Would Lazarus live forever in this world? No. So, what did Jesus want to teach us with this miracle? Save that question! At the end of the class we will discover that Jesus wanted to show something wonderful.
Development
The Bible tells us about three siblings: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They lived in Bethany and were greatly loved by Jesus. One day, Lazarus became ill. Jesus was far from Bethany, so his sisters sent word to him: “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” John 11:3b. When Jesus received the news, he said, “ This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. John 11:4b.
Jesus loved that family, but He stayed two more days where He was. Then He told his disciples that they would return to Judea. Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus is dead.” John 11:14b. When Jesus came near Bethany, Lazarus had already been buried for four days. Martha heard that Jesus was coming and went to meet Him. She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21.
Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again. Martha did not understand. Then Jesus revealed to her something wonderful about himself: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26. Martha answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:27b.
Then Martha called Mary. When Mary came to Jesus, she fell at His feet and said that if He had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus saw Mary and the other people weeping. The Bible shows us how Jesus cared for that family: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35.
Then Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus lay. A stone closed the entrance to the tomb. Jesus commanded, “Take away the stone.” John 11:39a. Martha recalled that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Then Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40. They took away the stone. Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed to the Father. Then he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” John 11:43b. And the miracle happened: Lazarus came out! He was alive!
How wonderful! Martha and Mary saw Jesus’ power over death. And many who saw that miracle believed in Him.
What does Jesus want to teach us? Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and cared about the pain of that family. Jesus wanted to teach something much greater than just bringing Lazarus back to life. Before working the miracle, Jesus had already said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25b. Jesus was showing that He has power over death and can give us eternal life.
Intermediates, we receive many blessings from God in this life. We can pray when we are sick, when we have a difficult test in school, when there is a problem in our family, when we are afraid or worried. We can tell God all of this. Jesus showed that He cares about us. He saw Martha and Mary crying, and He also wept.
But Jesus wants to give us something far greater than the blessings of this life. Think: A new toy one day gets old. A good grade is important, but soon another test comes. A very nice trip ends. Even though we will grow up and grow old. But the life Jesus offers us is eternal! Jesus said, “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:26a.
Therefore, our life is not just about being born, growing up, studying, working, and one day dying. Jesus shows us that there is eternal life. And how do we receive this life? By believing in Jesus. What did Jesus ask Martha? “Do you believe this?” John 11:26b. Jesus was teaching Martha to have faith. And we also need to have faith.
God’s Word says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. Do you know what it means to walk by sight? It is to believe only what our eyes can see. Martha looked at the tomb and knew that Lazarus had been dead for four days. That was what she could see. But Jesus wanted to teach her to trust His Word.
This also happens to us. Maybe you have prayed for something and have not yet received the answer. Maybe you are having difficulty with a subject at school, worried about a situation at home, afraid of something, or facing a problem with a classmate. To have faith is to trust God even when we still don’t know how that situation will be resolved.
So we can pray to God and ask, “Lord, increase my faith. Help me to trust in Your Word.” And while we wait, we keep doing what God’s Word teaches us. If we’re worried because a prayer hasn’t been answered yet, we keep trusting in the Lord. If something doesn’t go the way we wanted, we don’t stop seeking God. That’s living by faith.
Conclusion
Lazarus came back to life, but one day he would die again. So what did Jesus want to teach us with that miracle? He is the resurrection and the life! Jesus cares about our needs, but He wants to give us something much greater: salvation, eternal life. So don’t live only by what your eyes can see. Believe in Jesus and trust His Word. Choose to live every day by faith in Jesus.
Suggested Praises: How Amazing; Jesus, the best friend of all is Jesus; Jesus heals and saves us
Question for Intermediates
Read John chapter 11, verse 40, and answer: What did Jesus say would happen if Martha believed? Answer: She would see the glory of God. “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40.