INTRODUCTION

1. This series has had the stated purpose of studying the miracles of Jesus in order to increase our faith, just as stated in John 20:30-31:

   ³⁰Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

2. In this final lesson, we will consider the records of Jesus raising the dead.  These powerful miracles demonstrated Christ's power over death and the grave, which He ultimately demonstrated in His own resurrection.

    

THE DEAD RISE AT HIS COMMAND

1. Jesus raised the dead son of a widow at Nain (Luke 7:11-16).

   1. At Nain, a city of Galilee, Jesus encountered a large funeral procession for a widow's son.

      1. The dead man was the only son of this widow, and Jesus felt compassion for her.

      2. He said to her, "Do not weep."  He would soon give her reason to rejoice.

   2. At Jesus' command, the dead man lived again.

      1. Stopping the bearers, Jesus touched the coffin and said, "Young men, I say to you, arise!"

      2. Immediately, the man sat up and began talking.  The people then glorified God.

2. Jesus raised the daughter of a synagogue official (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-26; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56).

   1. The daughter of this official, whose name was Jairus, died before Jesus arrived to heal her.

      1. Jairus requested for Jesus to come to his house and heal his twelve-year old daughter, but the multitudes pressed in around Jesus as He went.

      2. While Jesus was speaking to a woman in the crowd, the word came that the girl had already died. Jesus said, to Jairus, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe, and she shall be made well" (Luke 8:50).

   2. Jesus came to Jairus' house and brought the girl back to life.

      1. When Jesus found the house full of mourning, He commanded them to stop, for He said that she was only sleeping.  The people laughed at the Lord, for they knew she was dead.

      2. He took the girl by the hand and said, "Arise," and she revived immediately.

      3. Jesus prohibited anyone from telling what had happened. In addition to those in the house, only He, Peter, John, and James had been present.

          

JESUS RAISED LAZARUS AT BEHTANY (JOHN 11:1-44)

1. The subject of the Lord's miracle was a sick man named Lazarus.

   1. Lazarus lived in the village of Bethany, about two miles southeast of Jerusalem (vv. 1, 18).

   2. His sisters were Mary and Martha.

      1. This is the same Mary who later anointed Jesus with costly oil (John 12:1-8).

      2. These are also the same sisters who hosted the Lord in their home in Luke 10:38-42.

      3. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were all loved by Jesus (v. 3, 5), which indicates that the Lord had a special affection for them, likely because of their faithful reception of Him.

2. At first, when Jesus heard of the sickness of Lazarus, He did not go to help.

   1. At the time of Lazarus' sickness, Jesus and His disciples were in the land beyond the Jordan where John had baptized.  They had recently escaped from the Jews in Jerusalem (John 10:39-40).

   2. Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus, evidently appealing to Him to help their brother (v. 3).

   3. However, Jesus did not immediately go to Lazarus, for He knew the purpose of the sickness (v. 4).

      1. Lazarus was not sick by chance, but rather this was an opportunity for the glory of God and the glory of Jesus to be shown.  This is the first of three statements by Jesus that reveal the purpose of these events.

      2. Knowing this, Jesus delayed two days before leaving for Bethany (v. 6).

3. Before Jesus went to Bethany, He had a discussion with His disciples.

   1. The disciples initially resisted the idea of returning to Judea (vv. 7-8).

      1. They feared for the Lord's life, for they knew that the Jews had tried to stone Him.

      2. However, Jesus reassured them of the wisdom of His choice (vv. 9-10).  He had not forgotten about the danger in Judea, but this was a time for work and not for hiding.

   2. Jesus plainly explained to His disciples the purpose of these events (vv. 11-15).

      1. Jesus knew that Lazarus had died, and He made this clear to the disciples.

      2. For the disciples, Jesus said the purpose of these events was "so that you may believe" (v. 15). This is the second of three statements by Jesus that reveal His purpose in these events.

   3. At last, the disciples, led by Thomas, determined to go with Jesus, even though they expected to die (v. 16).

      1. Obviously, the disciples were still thinking of the danger in Judea and did not grasp what Jesus was preparing to do.

      2. It is interesting that they were prepared to die with Jesus at this time, but later they all abandoned Him.  So it often is when the time comes to live up to one's commitments.

4. When Jesus came to Bethany, Lazarus was already dead.

   1. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been buried for four days (v. 17).  Therefore, no one could deny that he was truly dead, and he could only live again by the power of God.

   2. When Martha heard that the Lord was coming, she went to meet Him (v. 20).

      1. Notice by her words the great faith that Martha had in Jesus (vv. 21-22).

      2. When Jesus declared that Lazarus would rise again, Martha expressed her belief in the final resurrection of the dead (vv. 23-24).

      3. However, Jesus was not speaking of the final resurrection, but rather He spoke of what He was about to do.  His answer reveals the great lesson of these events.  He said,

         "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die" (vv. 25-26).

      4. When Jesus asked Martha if she believed Him, her answer was the best and most noble answer that could be given (v. 27).  She said,

         "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."

   3. After this, Martha called Mary to Jesus, and Mary likewise expressed her faith in Him (vv. 28-32).

5. At last, Jesus performed a great miracle by raising Lazarus from the grave.

   1. When the Lord saw Mary and the others who mourned for Lazarus, He was moved with compassion (vv. 33-35).

      1. Some of the Jews were impressed with Lord's love for Lazarus (v. 36).  However, the Lord's weeping was more for the mourners, for He knew that Lazarus would live again.

      2. Others wondered if He could have saved Lazarus (v. 37).  They would soon learn just what He could do.

   2. Jesus came to the tomb and commanded that the stone be removed from the cave (vv. 38-39).

      1. Martha's response gave further proof that Lazarus was dead beyond any doubt.

      2. Jesus reminded Martha of His earlier words regarding belief in Him (v. 40).  He was about to display the glory of God.

   3. Before the miracle, Jesus offered a prayer aloud for all to hear (vv. 41-42).

      1. By addressing the Father in prayer, Jesus made it clear that these things were happening by the power of God.

      2. The third statement of purpose is given in reference to all of the witnesses, for Jesus said to the Father that these events occurred "that they may believe that Thou didst send Me."

   4. Finally, Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave (vv. 43-44).

      1. With no hesitation, Lazarus came forth from the grave alive and well at Jesus' call.  The power of God was displayed for all to see.

      2. Jesus did not do this in spectacular form.  He did not do anything for the people that they could not do for themselves (removing the stone, unwrapping Lazarus).  This was not simply a spectacle, but rather it was a notable work of God.

          

CONCLUSION

1. In these miracles, Jesus demonstrated His power to give life back to those who were dead in the flesh.

2. Jesus also has power to the spiritually dead and to grant them eternal life.  In John 5:21, 24, He said, ²¹"For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes... ²⁴Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."