Day 28- Lazarus, Come Forth!

Previously Jesus had taken His disciples east and north up the Jordan River valley to encourage John the Baptist's disciples. This had taken them away from Jerusalem and into safer regions. In northern Samaria Jesus heals ten lepers. It is likely here that Jesus gets word that Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, is sick unto death and to come quickly. He is already a couple days away and waits two more days. Even with the news, His disciples fear it is a death sentence for Him to return to Judea. Lazarus is in Bethany which is only a couple miles from Jerusalem. By the time they arrive Lazarus has been dead and buried four days. They have witnessed His power over the diseased, the demonized, and destructive forces of nature and now they will see His authority to raise the dead. “Lazarus, come forth!” Had Jesus not called Lazarus by name, all the nearby tombs would have released their dead. Death has no hold over the life-giving command of God.

READ: Luke 17:11-37; John 11:1-57

Major Events

  • Jesus Heals 10 Lepers in northern Samaria (Luke 17)

  • The Coming of the Kingdom of God (Luke 17)

  • The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus in Bethany (John 11)

  • The Plot of the religious Jews to Kill Jesus (John 11)

Major Topics

  • Healing

  • Leprosy

  • Miracles

  • Kingdom of God

  • Second Coming

  • Prophecy

  • Son of Man

  • Glory of God

  • Son of God

  • Belief

  • Disappointment

  • Chief Priests

  • Pharisees

  • Passover

  • Resurrection

  • New Life

  • Light

Video

Luke 17

John 11

Key Verses & Words

The Story

  • Luke 17:11-12 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him;

  • Luke 17:20-21 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst."

  • John 11:6-8 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He *said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples *said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"

  • John 11:16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."

  • John 11:17-18 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off;

  • John 11:33-35 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They *said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept.

  • John 11:41-44 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 "I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus *said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

The Teachings of Jesus

  • Luke 17:33 "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

  • John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

  • John 11:40 Jesus *said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

Questions for Reflection

Jesus Heals 10 Lepers (Luke 17)

  • What does this story say about the importance of thanking Jesus?

  • What difference does faith make in your life?

  • Why is faith necessary for spiritual healing?

The Coming of the Kingdom of God (Luke 17)

  • How would you describe your readiness for Christ's second coming?

  • How can you follow Jesus' instruction to "Remember Lot's wife?"

  • How does Jesus want us to view our earthly lives?

The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11)

  • How and when has God disappointed you?

  • How should we respond to disappointment?

  • Under what circumstances have you doubted the power of God?

  • In what ways has God shown His glory to you?

Digging Deeper

Curious Christians

What was the Burial Practices of 1st Century Jews?

The Bible says Lazarus was dead 4 days before Jesus raised him from the dead. What had Lazarus' family done to prepare his body for burial? Click the picture to learn about 1st century embalming practices.

Living the Lesson

Here is where the Holy Spirit has opportunity to bring great revelation and transformation in your life--in reflection and obedience to what you have been reading and studying in God's Word today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can respond in obedience to the devotion today. Use the following acronym to prompt you.

Is there a...

  • SIN to confess?

  • PROMISE to claim?

  • ATTITUDE to change?

  • COMMAND to obey?

  • EXAMPLE to follow?

  • PRAYER to pray?

  • ERROR to avoid?

  • TRUTH to believe?

  • SOMETHING for which to praise God?