For God's Glory

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 11:38-44

TO CHEW ON: "Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'” John 11:40

When Lazarus got sick, his sisters Martha and Mary sent for Jesus right away. But He didn’t come. Meanwhile Lazarus got sicker and sicker. Finally he died. They wrapped his body tightly in strips of cloth and placed him in a tomb (most likely a cave).

Finally when Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus arrived. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would never have died,” Martha said to Jesus. She knew that Jesus had power to heal sick people. But she also knew once Lazarus was dead, it was too late for Jesus to do anything.

But Jesus didn’t know that! As He stood before Lazarus’ tomb , He told his sad friends, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

"Lazarus rising out of his grave" - Illustrator of 'Figures de la Bible' P. de Hondt (publisher), 1728

Then He called, “Lazarus come out!” What happened next? (John 11: 44) ____________________

"The Raising of Lazarus" by Mattia Preti, 1650s

Why do you think Jesus waited so long to help his friends? Wouldn’t it have been just as easy for him to come right away and save Martha and Mary all that grief?

Probably. But God had a bigger purpose than the happiness of Martha and Mary. By waiting till Lazarus was dead, and then raising him from the dead, Jesus showed that God has power even over death. Many people who saw Jesus raise Lazarus put their faith in Jesus. His miracles showed how powerful God was and He became more famous than ever.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to want Your glory more than my own happiness. Amen

SUPERSIZE IT: Thinking About Death
Death is something we don’t like to think about. But it happens around us every day.

• Have you ever had a pet that died?

- What was its name?
- How did it die?
- What did you do then?

• Has someone you love died?

- Who?
- What do you remember about that time?
- What comforted you?

• What do you think?

- Can God still raise people from the dead?
-Does God still raise people from the dead?

ANSWERS


Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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