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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 the miracles of Jesus. Each miracle showed His power, but it also taught us more about the Kingdom of Heaven. Today we are going to talk about the resurrection of Lazarus. What a wonderful miracle! But think about one thing:
Would Lazarus live forever in this world? No. So, what did Jesus want to teach us through that miracle? Meditate on this question. By the end of the lesson, we will understand that Jesus was showing something much greater than the solution to that family’s problem.
Development
The Bible tells us the story of three siblings: Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They lived in Bethany and were greatly loved by Jesus. One day, Lazarus became ill. When this happened, the Lord Jesus was far from Bethany. His sisters sent word to him: “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” John 11:3b. Upon receiving the news, Jesus declared: “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.
Even though Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed two more days where He was. Then He told His disciples that they would return to Judea. Then Jesus said plainly to his disciples, “Lazarus is dead.” John 11:14b. When Jesus came near Bethany, Lazarus had been buried for four days. Martha heard that Jesus was coming and went to meet him. When she saw him, she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:21. Jesus continued talking to Martha, showing that He would resurrect Lazarus, but she did not understand this.
And Jesus said, “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. She 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 threw herself at His feet and said that if He had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus saw Mary weeping and the people who were with her. Then He asked where Lazarus had been laid. And the Bible records a moment that shows how much Jesus cared about that family: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35.
Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus had been laid. The entrance to the tomb was closed with a stone. Then Jesus commanded, “Take away the stone.” John 11:39a. Martha recalled that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Then Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40. They rolled away the stone. Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and prayed to the Father.
Then He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” John 11:43b. And the miracle happened. And Lazarus came out. He was alive! He resurrected! The Lord Jesus brought life again to him. Hallelujah! Martha and Mary saw something they had never experienced in that way: Jesus’ power over death. And many of those who witnessed that miracle believed in Him.
What does Jesus want to teach us? Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and cared about the family’s pain. But the purpose of that miracle went far beyond giving Lazarus a few more years to live. Before resurrecting him, Jesus revealed the great teaching: “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25a. Jesus worked that miracle to point to a life that never ends—eternal life.
And this teaching is very important to us. Sometimes we think of God’s blessings just for this life. We pray for a test at school, for a problem at home, for an illness, or for some situation that we want to be solved. We can and should present our needs to God.
Jesus showed in Bethany that He cares about us: He saw the tears of that family and wept with them. But Jesus wants to give us something much greater than blessings that remain only in this life. A good grade passes. A problem solved today can give way to another tomorrow. The things we own stay behind. Even our physical life ends one day. But salvation gives us something eternal.
Jesus said: “ He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25b. Therefore, our existence is not limited to studying, growing up, choosing a profession, working, achieving things, growing old and dying one day. There is an eternity: either we have eternal life or eternal death. And Jesus came to give us eternal life. But to receive this life, we need to believe in Jesus.
And in this miracle Jesus spoke several times about faith. First He said, “ He who believes in Me.” John 11:25b. Then He asked Martha, “ Do you believe this?” John 11:26b. And before the tomb He declared, “… if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40b.
Do you see? Jesus was teaching that family to believe. And we too need to learn to live by faith. The Bible says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. But what does it mean to live by sight? It is to believe only what we can see, understand, or explain.
Martha looked at the tomb and saw a stone. She knew that her brother had been dead for four days. That was what her eyes showed. But Jesus was teaching, “don’t just look at what you can see; believe My word of power”.
This happens to us, too. Sometimes we look at a situation and think, “It’s not going to work out.” “I can’t.” “Nothing is going to change.” Or we start doubting because we haven’t seen the answer to our prayer yet. Faith doesn’t mean pretending that problems don’t exist. Martha knew Lazarus was dead. Faith is trusting God and His Word even when we don’t yet see what He will do. So we need to ask God to increase our faith.
Jesus does not want to be for you just someone you have heard about in SBS. He wants you to know Him and have experiences with Him.
Perhaps you are facing some difficulty. Present it to God. But while you wait for an answer, also ask, “Lord, what do you want to teach me? How can I get to know Jesus more through this experience?” Because sometimes we are just waiting for God to change a situation, while He is working to change our hearts, strengthen our faith, and make us know Jesus more.
Conclusion
Lazarus received life again in this world, but one day he would die again. So, what did Jesus want to teach us with that miracle? Something much greater: He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus conquered death and offers salvation and eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. Today, He asks you, “Do you believe this?” Believe in Jesus and choose to live every day by faith in His Word.
Suggested Praises: How Amazing; Jesus, the best friend of all is Jesus; Jesus heals and saves us
Question for Adolescents
Read John chapter 11, verses 25 and 26, and answer: What did Jesus ask Martha when He revealed Himself as the Resurrection and the Life? Answer: He asked Martha if she believed this. Jesus wanted Martha to believe in Him. “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.