(a) Narrate the story of how Lazarus was raised from death. [11 marks] (b) Give two lessons which the story teaches christians. [4 marks]

Answer Details

(a) How Lazarus was raised from death (John 11:1-44)

Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha, fell sick. The sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." When Jesus heard it He said, "This illness does not lead to death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Though He loved the family, He stayed two more days where He was. Then He told the disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." When they misunderstood, He said plainly, "Lazarus has died; and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe."

When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Martha met Him and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus assured her, "Your brother will rise again," and declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." Mary also came weeping, and when Jesus saw her and the Jews weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled, and Jesus wept.

They came to the tomb, a cave with a stone lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha objected that there would already be a stench after four days. Jesus reminded her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Jesus lifted up His eyes and prayed, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." Then He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with grave-clothes and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said, "Unbind him, and let him go." As a result many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in Him.

(b) Two lessons the story teaches Christians

• Jesus has power over death; He is the resurrection and the life, and faith in Him gives hope of eternal life.
• God's delays are not denials; what seems like too late for man is an opportunity for God to display His glory, so believers should trust Him even in the face of death and disappointment.