![]() ![]() Jesus had actually meant that he had died and so He plainly tells them that Lazarus is dead (v 14). The disciples thought that if he was sick, sleeping would be a good thing for him to help him recover from his illness, saying “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover” (v 12). The interesting thing that he tells His disciples is that “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him” (v 10). Since Jesus was omniscient, He knew that the delay would not cause Lazarus death since by the time the messenger got to Jesus (one day’s journey) Lazarus would have already been dead. After the messenger gave Jesus the message, Jesus waited two whole days before departing for Bethany (v 6). In John chapter eleven, Martha and Mary sent a messenger to Jesus to seek His help in healing Lazarus as he was gravely ill (v 3). ![]() Lazarus is Dead – Concerned Family Members Send for Jesus The Jewish religious leaders would not accept that as conclusive evidence for Jesus actually raising them from the dead so this may be why Jesus waited a full four days to resurrect Lazarus. ![]() Jesus had resurrected two others: Jarius’s daughter (Luke 8:40-56) and the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:11-16) but these two were resurrected immediately after they had died. The irony is that Jesus would later be resurrected from the dead after being in the grave for three days. This was so that the family could grieve their lost family member. They also “sit shiva” three times each day. This is what is called to “sit shiva” for three days for grieving purposes. The reason that Lazarus’ resurrection is so amazing is that in the Jewish culture, a person was not actually accepted as being fully dead and with no chance of coming back to life after three days. This is the seventh miracle that Jesus has performed and it is the capstone of all His miracles in the New Testament. It is seen as proof positive that Jesus is God and that He has effectual power over mankind. It is surely not impossible for the wealthy to enter heaven (numerous Godly men of the Bible were prosperous), but Scripture is plain that it is very troublesome ( Luke 18:24-25).Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." ( Mark 4:19). Not only do fortunes not get one into heaven, but they have the potential to separate a person from God like few other things. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” ( James 5:5). However, as the apostle James advised, “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. Also, he believed the impoverished, like Lazarus, were cursed by God. The rich man incorrectly saw his worldly wealth as proof of God’s love and blessing. Moral of Lazarus and the Rich Man Parable ![]() This Bible story is a great and powerful reminder that we will pay for our sins on earth when we finally decease, therefore we should love and care for our fellow mankind. Abraham told the rich man that if his brothers did not believe in Scripture, neither would they believe Lazarus, even if he came directly from heaven. Pleading to “Father Abraham” in heaven, the rich man asked that Lazarus come down from heaven to cool his tongue with a drop of water to reduce his “agony in this fire.” The rich man additionally requested Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth as a warning to his brothers to atone for their sins, however, both requests were refused. Lazarus was welcomed into heaven, while the rich man was condemned to hell. ![]()
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