Jesus Resurrects Lazarus from the Dead

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. John 11:32-45

Steps: 11, 12

Jesus knew the reaction of each and every person who was going to see the resurrection of Lazarus. Mary and Martha attempted to chastise Jesus for being late, and not rescuing Lazarus, but Jesus promises that if they believe they will see the glory of God, and the display of His power and wisdom. Jesus tells the people to take the stone away from the grave and when they do He prays to the Father for power to do this wonderful miracle. Then Jesus calls specifically for Lazarus to come forth and Lazarus comes out. When the people saw this miracle, the fact that Jesus could resurrect someone who had started to decay, then they believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

Prayer for Today: God, we have read the story, and we have no reason to believe that You would lie to us. Help us today to believe that if You can raise someone from the dead that You can raise us up from our addictions. No problem is too difficult for You. Help our unbelief and help us to grasp Your power and help us to be willing to ask for Your help for us. Thank You for Your power and Your love.