Jesus and his friends in Bethany

Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived in a small village called Bethany. They were Jesus’ friends and when Lazarus was ill, they immediately sent a message to Jesus. Jesus said, “Lazarus’ illness will glorify God!” At first Jesus did nothing, but two days later Jesus told his disciples he wanted to go Lazarus. The disciples said, “Is that a good thing? Bethany is near Jerusalem, where you have many enemies!” Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead. We have to go to them.” The disciples went with Jesus, even though they thought Jesus would be captured and they would all die. When they arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. His sisters had already wrapped his body in linen cloths and buried him. There were many people who had come to comfort the two sisters. Martha went out to greet Jesus. “Lord,” she said, “if you could have been here earlier, Lazarus would not have died! But even so, I know that God will give you whatever you ask!” Jesus said, “Lazarus will rise again.” Martha thought he was talking about the day of judgement, but Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me will live even though they die. They will have everlasting life. Do you believe this?” Martha said, “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Son of God.”

Then Martha fetched her sister. Mary went to Jesus, who was still outside the village. Mary fell at his feet and said, “I wish you had been here! Then Lazarus would not have died.”

She cried, and her friends were also crying. Jesus also became very sad. He wept, and the people thought it was because he loved Lazarus. “Where is Lazarus buried?” he asked.

The people took him to the tomb. He asked them to take away the stone in front of the entrance.

They did as he asked, and then Jesus prayed. He said, “Father, thank you for always hearing me when I speak to you.” Jesus stood in front of the tomb and said loudly, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus came out, still wrapped in linen cloths. He was alive and well. Some of the people who had seen the miracle immediately went to Jerusalem. There they told the priests what had happened. These men hated Jesus and were also afraid that everyone would soon be following Jesus. They began to make plans to kill Jesus. But many people who were in Bethany when Jesus raised Lazarus believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

John 11:1-44