Jesus Raises the Dead

March 18, 2021 (Thursday)

Jesus had special friends, including Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, siblings who lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. When Lazarus became ill, Jesus was summoned from beyond the Jordan, where he was teaching. In the meantime Lazarus died. He had been in the grave four days when Jesus arrived. Standing before the tomb, Jesus cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” To the amazement of the crowd, Lazarus arose from death, stepped forth from the tomb, and was alive again!*

It was plainly and undeniably a miracle of the highest order. Yet the enemies of Jesus took the event as a threat to their leadership, and began plotting against Jesus, to take His life. While claiming to be righteous, their evil response to the undeniable miracle of resurrection betrayed their wickedness. Some even wanted to kill Lazarus as well. Jesus realized the danger. Knowing that He would become the Lamb of God at Passover, Jesus knew it was not the right time for Him to die. He, with His disciples, went to Ephraim, a small town in the northern part of Judea, to rest and prepare for the coming of what we call today, “Holy Week.” At that time Jesus will be arrested, tried, crucified, and rise from the dead Himself.

Leading up to Holy Week, these blogs will trace the journey of Jesus from Ephraim back to Bethany, and then Jerusalem to fulfill Scriptures that predicted His death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus never let a day go by without doing something good, and so the story of His leaving Ephraim and arriving in Jerusalem is filled with encounters with spiritually needy people and teachings that must never be forgotten.

The great Greek scholar, A.T. Robertson, compiled a harmony of the gospels many years ago. You can view his compilation of Scripture passages which tell the story of Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem to fulfill His destiny. Click here to view. At the top of the page, you will see a reference to page numbers 1 to 180. Enter page number 112, then press “enter” or “click on the left button of your mouse to go the Scriptures I have referenced. Please at least scroll through the Scriptures and read the headings to get an idea of what these blogs will consider on the days between now and Palm Sunday, March 28. And you may want to remember the web address (https://www.ntgreekstudies.net/uploads/2/7/5/5/2755694/robertson_harmony.pdf) so that you can refer to the scriptures as we discuss Jesus’ actions and teachings as he went to Jerusalem for His final trip.

Please note that the song is an illustration, not totally Biblical:

MY NAME IS LAZARUS
Rodney Griffin

One day, four men brought a crippled man to Jesus
Still and lifeless, he lay upon his bed
He had not moved since he was just a baby
Still he longed to become a normal man

Now we don’t know much about the men that carried
The corners of his tattered bed that day
But if we may create an illustration
We’ll see what these men might have had to say

Suppose that first man said, “I hate to doubt it
For Jesus touched my eyes when I was blind
He made me see and there’s no doubt about it
But this man’s needs are more serious than mine”

Suppose that second man said, “No need to bother
This man’s condition will remain the same
Though Jesus touched my hand when it was withered
I don’t believe He can heal a man so lame”

Suppose that third man said, “I hate to question
But no one here is more skeptical than me
Though Jesus cleansed me when I was a leper
This helpless man will never walk, you see”

Then every eye was turned to the fourth man
To see how he might criticize and doubt
But all three men were startled with amazement
When that fourth man stopped and said his name out loud

He said, “My name is Lazarus, could I testify?
My name is Lazarus, it feels good to be alive
When I in chains of death was bound
This man named Jesus called me out

If you think your little problem is too big for Him to solve
Take it from the one who’s heard the mighty voice of God
A living testimony of His death-defying touch,
My name is Lazarus”