Lazarus

Lazarus lives in Bethany near Jerusalem with his sisters Mary and Martha. Their home becomes a frequent stopping place for Jesus, who loves this family. Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives' eastern slope.

Lazarus becomes seriously ill. His sisters send word to Jesus: 'Lord, the one you love is sick.' Jesus deliberately delays two days, saying the illness will not end in death but is for God's glory. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead four days.

Martha and Mary each tell Jesus that if He had been there, their brother would not have died. Jesus sees Mary weeping and the mourning crowd. Deeply moved and troubled, Jesus weeps. His tears show both His humanity and His love for Lazarus.

At the tomb, Jesus commands the stone removed. Despite Martha's protest about the smell after four days, Jesus prays and calls out: 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man emerges, wrapped in burial cloths. Jesus commands: 'Unbind him and let him go.'

Many Jews believe in Jesus because of Lazarus. The chief priests decide to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus, because his living testimony draws crowds to faith. Lazarus becomes a marked man because he is living proof of Jesus' power.

Six days before Passover, a dinner is given in Jesus' honor at Bethany. Lazarus is among those reclining at table with Him. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume while her brother sits as living testimony to resurrection power.