January 17, 2025 • 51 mins
Chapter 13 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus is inspired by the Gospels.
Lazarus, Come Out! - Death always had the final word, until Jesus… This is the miracle that set in motion the entire crucifixion. Jesus displays power over death, and the religious leaders cannot allow him to continue.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And when he thus had spoken, he cried out with
a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John eleven forty three.
Thank you God that the story of Lazarus serves as
a reminder that death no longer has power over my soul.
(00:20):
Through the life of Jesus, you continually display from me
the fact that I can no longer that I can
conquer anything, including the goliath of death. Therefore, I will
not be afraid to live my life to the fullest
because I know that I will not die, but I
will simply transition into my heavenly home when my time comes.
(00:47):
I declare that I will not live with regret or remorse,
but instead I will maximize every opportunity that I am given.
I will love with an intense and compassionate heart, and
I will live out the purpose and plans that you
have for me.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Lord.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
In the same way, Jesus, that you called forth Lazarus
from the tomb, I now call forth from the tombs
in my life the dreams and visions that have died
because of fear and doubt. I thank you Lord that
as I place them in your hands, you will breathe
(01:28):
new life and new strategy into every dream and vision
You've given me in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned to
immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories Ever Told from pray
dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible Jesus. If you've been enjoying this series,
please write a review and let me know how this
podcast has impacted your life. Welcome to the Greatest Story
Ever Told. It is a story of a shepherd's heart
for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and
a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a
(02:11):
story that continues to shape and mold the world around us,
bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts
of you and me. This episode has some of the
most famous teachings and acts of Jesus. The Good Samaritan, Martha, Marion,
Lazarus all make a debut in this episode. Not only
does this story satisfy our need for rich truth, but
(02:32):
it also serves as a turning point in Jesus' ministry.
Up until now, Jesus' ministry has been mostly public speaking
personal time of his disciples and healing the sick. His
miracles have drawn many crowds, and his popularity has risen. However,
this episode is a hinge point where everything is going
to tilt while Jesus was still teaching and performing miracles.
(02:55):
Most of the story from here on out is about
Jesus's aim at death. Squabbles with the Pharisees, as heated
as they might get, are not the real battle. Jesus
has his eyes fixed on a hill in Jerusalem, Golgotha.
The prelude provides us with a theme to latch onto
during this episode. Death is the ultimate enemy. Jesus's foe
(03:17):
has never been the Pharisees, the religious system, or the Romans.
His battle has always been against sin, death, and despair.
This episode blends the traditional teachings of Jesus with foreshadows
of his death on the Cross. This episode is rich
with amazing parables and events. However, our time afterward will
be focused more on the title of this episode, Lazarus,
(03:40):
come out join me afterwards as we unpack this beautiful
story together.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Prelude to chapter thirteen. You will not surely die, the
slithering voice whispered to Eve. God knows that if you
eat of the fruit, you will become like him. He
cannot stand to have an equal. The serpent was crafty
(04:15):
and knew how to deceive the hearts of people. He
would entice them with the same desire he had to
become like God. Adam and Eve looked at the tree.
Its fruit was ripe and ready to eat. Will we
surely be like God? They thought. Eve plucked the fruit
(04:38):
and gave one to her husband, who was next to her.
Together the two of them mate. With the first bite,
the entire order of the cosmos shifted. They had denied
their creator in search of their own power, and set
in motion a tragedy they could not undo. The knowledge
(05:00):
of good and evil was upon them, and with it
their potential to sin. The eternal state of their souls
shriveled into an hour glass. Death had entered the scene.
The sin of pride, striving to become their own God
would plague humanity for generations to come. They would stray
(05:24):
from God and beat against his faithfulness. The enemy Death
waged war against humanity. Yet God would not allow Death
to have the final word. His love for humanity would
swing like a mighty sword. He had a plan to
rescue his people from death. He would take it on himself,
(05:45):
allowing it to consume him, so his people would not
have to Chapter thirteen. Lazarus, come out.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Beild. I am sending you out a lambs among wolves.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Jesus said to his disciples.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
They will want to devour you. They'll revile you, persecute you.
They'll spit in your direction. You must be steadfast.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Seventy two of his followers stood before him. Jesus turned
to the fields of grain. Behind him, the rich golden
ears of grain danced in the morning breeze. The bright
sun rays bounced off the field as Jesus spoke.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
The harvest is plentiful. There are many who are ripe
to hear the gospel. However, the laborers are few. There
are few people willing to commit their lives to the harvest. Therefore,
pray for the laborers to be sent out.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
The group of seventy two stood before Jesus with their
heads held high. They were a motley pack of misfits
and nobody's. Yet Jesus saw in them the potential to
do mighty works. He was preparing them to go out
in groups of two to proclaim the gospel. Jesus walked
(07:05):
among them encouraging them and building them up.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, greet no
one on the road. For your course is set and
your purpose is clear. When you enter each house, declare
peace to them, eat with them, dwell with them, and
hear them. Heal the sick, and preach the Kingdom of God.
If they do not receive you, brush off the dust
(07:30):
of your clothes and move on.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Jesus then sent out the seventy two to proclaim the
message of freedom, peace and righteousness throughout the region. Jesus
watched as every disciple left two by two. They did
not know it, but they were being trained. One day
they would be sent out by Jesus in a different way.
(07:52):
They would need to lean on each other and be courageous.
They didn't yet understand how much power would be given
to them. As they departed, Jesus ventured into the mountains.
He sat on a stone overlooking the region of Judea.
The wind was howling and the trees shuddered below. He
(08:14):
was reminded of the unrepentant cities of Sodom and Gomorah
long ago ah, how they had rejected salvation any time
God offered mercy, they denied it. Jesus looked upon the
cities below. They had been called to righteousness, yet fell
victim to the idolatry of self righteousness. They praised him
(08:39):
for his signs, yet rejected the authority by which he
did them. They were fickle, and while many of them
cheered for him, now he knew what they would be
chanting next. With the wind drowning out his voice, Jesus
yelled into the canyons.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Woe to you, Corsin, Woe to you, best SAIDA, For
if I have done my mighty works in the gentile cities,
they would have repented long ago. Yet they will see
more mercy than you. And woe to you Capernaum. You
think you will be exalted to Heaven, Yet hates who
hates you.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
Jesus allowed his voice to echo through the canyons below.
The reverberating noise dissipated with the breeze. Jesus looked up
to Heaven, then back at the cities. He shook his
head and whispered, the.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
One who hears you hear is me father. The one
who rejects you rejects me. And the one who rejects
me rejects you.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
He continued to prank to God for repentance. There were
stiff necked people, unwilling to break and humble themselves. However,
Jesus loved them to such a degree he was prepared
to be humbled on their behalf. Jesus came down the
mountain after a few days. As he wandered back to
(10:03):
the road, he saw the group of seventy two walking
towards him. Jesus smiled as he watched them laugh, exchange stories,
and praise God. He had sent them out with the mission,
and they were returning with a renewed sense of purpose.
Even the demons fled and were subject to us by
your name. They disappeared, they shouted. The disciples were elated
(10:28):
at their new found mission. There was a profound sense
of fulfillment and bringing hope to households, healing the sick,
and preaching to the needy. Jesus could see the light
of God upon them. He embraced them and reached his
arms to heaven.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Yes, my friends, it is a joy, Jesus said. However,
I saw Satan himself fall from heaven like a bolt
of lightning. His pride was great, and so was his fall.
Listen to me, I have given you authority to buy
up the enemy and tread over serpents. Yet this power
is not what you should rejoice in. Rejoice that your
(11:08):
names are written in heaven.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
He needed to remind them that the greatest in the
Kingdom of Heaven were the humble. Great pride precedes great falls.
The young lawyer was meandering around the outskirts of Judaea.
He enjoyed bouncing from small town to small town, attending
synagogues and debating the local teachers. This hobby was an
(11:34):
innocent one, since he was on a quest for knowledge.
He was most fulfilled when he was intellectually stimulated and
sought the greatest challenges the law of God had to offer.
Many people followed Matthias, eager to watch him debate the
scriptures and the philosophical quandaries of the universe. So when
(11:55):
he had heard Jesus was in the region, he could
not help but fantasize about them speaking with them. Jesus
was walking in the outer regions of Judea. He and
his disciples would travel from village to village, preaching and healing.
As he was tending to the needs of the people.
(12:15):
The young lawyer approached him. He held himself with the
arrogant glow of a student. There was an unearned confidence
exuding from him. His cocky posture was showcased in stark
contrast to Jesus's humble position as he mended a woman's
broken foot. He approached Jesus with a crowd of eager
(12:39):
patrons behind him. Jesus smiled at the young man and
greeted him. The young lawyer went straight for his question,
ready to engage Jesus in a discussion.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
For the ages teacher, how shall I inherit eternal life?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
He asked, allowing the crown behind him to prepare themsels.
Jesus stood to his feet and wiped his hands on
his robe. They were dirty from working with the people
all day. He looked at the people, then walked over
to a bucket of water nearby to wash his face well.
(13:17):
Jesus began, what does it say in the law? You
have read the law, I assume, the young lawyer was
jumping to answer, ready to begin his discussion with Jesus.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart's soul, mind and strength. You shall love your neighbor
as yourself.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
The lawyer replied, Ah, yes, Jesus answered, very good. Do
these things and you shall live into eternity.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Jesus smiled and turned back to another person in need
of healing. The lawyer stopped him, annoyed that he could
not keep Jesus's attention.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Well, then, who is considered my neighbor? Certainly that varies
from person to person.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
The lawyer retorted. It was a common question of the day,
a question that certainly needed an answer. People were often
wondering who they needed to love and who they were
allowed to ignore. Jesus sighed and shook his head. He
looked up to the young lawyer and gestured for him
to take his seat next to him. He then gestured
(14:20):
for the crowd to come in close and listen. Jesus
began a story for the lawyer. It became apparent that
this would not be a conversation but a lesson.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
The merchant was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road
is notoriously dangerous and filled with bandits ready to jump
like a prowling lion. Despite the rumors of robbers, the
man decided to travel anyway. He walked the countryside with
ease until that very band of robbers ambushed him out
of nowhere. There was a swift blow to the merchant's
(14:55):
head to disorient him. Then as the man fell to
his knees, another robber kicked him in jaw. They took
his money and all his supplies. When the man began
to chase after them to get his things back, the
robbers quickly made a mockery of him, breaking his ribs,
tossing him to the ground onslaughts and onslaughts of kicks.
The robbers tore off his clothes. They took everything he owned,
(15:18):
even the clothes off his back. They shamed him and
tossed him off the edge of the road into a
ditch full of stones and weeds. The man's body was
lifeless for hours. Every breath was a struggle. There were
moments when the man believed he was dead, only to
be reminded by the pain that he was very much alive.
(15:41):
All hope seemed to be lost until he saw a
priest walking on the road. The merchant knew he only
had a few moments to make his presence known, so
he yelled for help. His cries were painful, but they
caught the attention of the priest. However, to the merchant's dismay,
the priest looked at him and then just walked away.
(16:01):
He could not be bothered. On his way to the temple.
The day was drawing to a close, and the blistering
sun was replaced with the cold evening air. Naked and shivering,
the man was certain he would die. However, his hope
returned to him as another man of God walked past.
A levite was also on his way to the temple.
(16:22):
His elegant robes of fine color shone in the moonlight.
When the levite saw the man quivering by the wayside,
he cringed and shuffled over to the other side of
the road, pretending not to see him. A priest and
a levite had rejected him, all hope was lost for
the poor man. The merchant knew that night would be
(16:45):
a cruel executioner, so he dragged himself from the ditch
onto the road. His naked body trembled in the freezing
night air. In a matter of moments, the man drifted
into a deep sleep. As he allowed his mind to wander,
he came to terms with his own inevitable death. While
the merchant was sleeping. He did not hear the slow
(17:08):
trot trot trot of a mule passing by. The mule
stop and a Samaritan man dismounted and crouched beside the merchant.
The merchant was able to peer his eyes open to
see a dark figure hidden by night lift him off
the dirt and on to his mule. The Samaritan man
continued into the night until he found the dim light
(17:31):
of a nearby inn. The Samaritan paid for a room
in the inn and then tended to his wounds. He
bound up his broken bones and sewed up his torn flesh.
Once the man was healed, the Samaritan paid the innkeeper
enough money to take care of him for a few
more weeks. Can you believe it? Then he returned to
check up on him.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Jesus concluded his story and looked at the young lawyer
with a tender smile.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
He said, so tell me which of the three was
a better neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
The lawyer was downtrodden and ashamed. The Samaritans were reviled
and hated among the Jews. If there was any one
he would call exempt from love. It was them.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
I suppose it was the one who showed mercy.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
He answered. Jesus placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Very good, you are a wise man. Now go and
do likewise.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
And with that Jesus stood to his feet to tend
to the rest of the city. Jesus did not engage
in the philosophical dialog the lawyer had hoped. However, he
gave him something that cut much deeper. He called him
to a higher standard of kindness. His story revealed deep
(18:52):
truths that had been hidden by dogma and prejudice. The
Jews considered the Samaritans dogs and wretch. They were treated
as sub human half breeds. On the other hand, priests
and Levites were revered as pillars of religious morality. Jesus
told the story of the good Samaritan to show that goodness, mercy,
(19:16):
and kindness can come from unexpected places. That showed Jesus
his heart that he was not concerned with cultural boundaries,
but human kindness. The smell of fresh saffron enveloped the
room as Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table.
(19:37):
It was a joy for the disciples to enjoy a
good meal among friends. They had entered the home of Mary, Martha,
and Lazarus. Their humble home proved as a welcome respite
from the brutal travel. Lazarus sat beside Jesus, sharing stories
and laughter. Jesus truly cherished Lazarus's friendship. Two of them
(20:00):
would often speak into the night about deep truths of God,
exchanging jokes along the way. Jesus then transitioned into teaching
the disciples. He poured into them deep truths and honest wisdom.
Mary sat at Jesus's feet and listened intently to every
word pouring from his mouth. She was nourished by the
(20:24):
gospel and soaked in every word she possibly could. However,
reeling in the corner of the room was Martha. She
anxiously swept the home, cooked the meal, and poured the wine.
Worry was visible on her face as she frantically paced
from room to room. Her anxious behavior was noticeable, and
(20:48):
Jesus could tell she was growing increasingly more annoyed at
her sister. Unaware of her sister's anger, Mary continued to
listen to Jesus. Martha, however, boiled with anger until she burst.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
Jesus Are you not going to tell my sister to
help me? Do you not even care that I have
toiled all day on this meal and keeping the house clean,
yet she refuses to take any responsibility.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Martha was getting herself worked up. She fanned her face,
his tears began to well up. She was embarrassed that
she could not live up to her own standards of perfection,
and she was bitter at Mary for seeming to not
even care. Jesus gave a warm, soft smile Martha, he said,
(21:36):
gesturing for her to sit beside him. Martha rolled her
eyes and sat beside Jesus. He took her hand and
reassured her.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Martha, you are anxious about many things. You tend to
carry the whole weight of the world on your shoulders.
Do not be so troubled. The only thing you need
to pay attention to is what your sister is already doing. See,
she sits at my feet, she listens to my words.
She has chosen the correct task.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Martha looked at her sister with an affectionate smile. She
wiped her eyes and hugged Jesus. Then, removing the rags
from her garment, she ceased her cleaning and sat at
the feet of Jesus. As Jesus went around the surrounding
regions of Judea, he came in contact with many Pharisees
(22:26):
seeking to challenge his ministry. Their continual questioning often ended
in Jesus shaming their lack of understanding, Yet there was
a mounting hatred behind their accusations. They called him a
messenger of Satan and sought to rile up the crowds
against him. Lawyers joined them in order to trap him
(22:48):
in falsehoods. Yet each time Jesus remained a steady voice
of truth. He watched as they stockpiled reputation, influence, and power.
They wore their authority like finely cut gems. Although they
tithed of everything they had, they refused to give to
(23:10):
God what truly matter their hearts. Jesus was pondering these
things as they stood in the back of the crowd.
They assumed their typical position, arms crossed in the back,
scoffing and whispering amongst themselves. Jesus looked the rest of
the crowd, fielding their questions on the Kingdom of God.
(23:34):
A man's voice spoke up.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
Saying, teacher, order, my brother to divide up his inheritance
with me.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
Come now, who has made me the arbitrator over you?
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Jesus said in jest. The crowd gave a quick chuckle,
and Jesus stroked his beard, preparing his response.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
We must guard our.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Hearts, Jesus began.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
You must guard our hearts against greed, for one's life
is so much more than simply his possessions.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
The crowd nodded in agreement. Jesus spoke a parable saying.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
The vibrant and luscious farmland of a rich man produced
an abundance of goods. In his pride over his work,
he thought to himself, what shall I do? I have
nowhere to store my crops. The man had an idea.
He stored his grains and goods for years and years
in giant storehouses. He had finally sowed up so much
food that he was prepared to retire and finally rest.
(24:31):
Yet God had different plans. His life was required of him.
That night. God said to him, fool, this night your
soul will be taken, and the things you have prepared
will rot and rust away with the rest of the earth.
This is the danger of those who store up all
their treasure here on earth, not thinking of the eternal
(24:51):
weight of their actions, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Jesus turned to his disciples, understanding the worry of their hearts.
It was in the flesh of every man to pursue riches.
They wanted safety and prosperity for them and their families.
Yet Jesus knew the true solution to a thriving heart.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Do not be anxious, Jesus encouraged, Do not worry about
your life what you will eat till the clothes you
put on. The ravens neither sow nor reap for food.
They have no barn our storehouses to store up grain
for the winter. Yet God feeds them and cares for them.
Rest assured, you are of far more value than they.
None of you worrying will add one minute to your life.
(25:37):
If God raised the fields with immaculate lilies, how much
more will he care for the clothes on your back.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
The disciples were still in anguish They did not want
to care about these things, yet they still found themselves worrying.
Jesus shook his head and looked at them endearingly, Oh.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
You of little faith, All the other nations rage again
one another in pursuit of more, more riches, more power,
more status. You are not of this world. Seek first
the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these
other things will be added unto you. Fear not, little flock,
(26:17):
for it is God's good pleasure to give you his kingdom.
Sell what you have and give to the needy. Invest
in a storehouse that will not wither or rought with
treasures in heaven.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
Jesus then pointed to his heart. He raised his voice
for all to hear.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Where your treasure is, your heart will follow.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
The crowd had dissipated, but Jesus remained with the seventy two.
Jesus climbed up a small stone wall and sat there.
They looked up at him, content to sit and listen.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
More. Be ready, Jesus warn be like men who are
put in charge of a wedding feast for their master,
but they don't know when he'll be coming. Blessed are
the servants who stay alert and vigilant. Blessed are the
servants he finds attending to the needs of the household,
preparing for the guests. For the servants that remain faithful,
(27:13):
the Master will have them join him to delight in
the feast. He may come at the first watch, the second,
or even the third. The servants do not know, and
neither will you know when the son of Man returns.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Peter looked up to Jesus, curious about the parable he
was telling. He raised his voice and.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Asked, Lord, who is this parable?
Speaker 2 (27:35):
For is it for all of us?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Jesus smiled and hopped off the wall. He sat down
among the disciples, playing with a small stone in his hand.
Speaker 4 (27:45):
There was a faithful servant who the Master put in
charge his manager over the household. Blessed is that servant.
If he is diligent, the Master will set him over
all his possessions.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Jesus then threw the stone at a nearby creek bed.
He raised his finger and said.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
However, if the servant grows complacent and says, my master
is late, who cares about the feast, and then he
proceeds to beat the other servants and get drunk with
the wine for the feast, woe to him when the
master comes. The Master will come into the feast ready
to dine and fellowship, only to find the manager of
his house belligerent and drunk. His punishment will be severe.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Jesus then stood to his feet and helped Peter up.
He grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
Peter, to whom much is given, much will be demanded.
Remember this and be faithful with what's entrusted to you.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Peter nodded and would remember these words. He held them
close to his heart. One day much would be required
of him, and he prayed he would have the strength
to rise to the occasion.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
Be mindful, my friends, My deeds will cast a great
fire on this earth. There will be a great baptism.
I will endure a pain unlike any other. My so
anguish is until it is accomplished. Have not come to
bring harmony between people, but a sword. Households will be
divided because of me, father against son, son against father,
(29:15):
mother against daughter, and daughter against mother. They will disagree
because of my deeds.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
For all of Christ's gentleness, he understood the weight of
what was about to happen. He understood that as he
stepped into the place of humanity, there would be a
great divide. There would be those who clung to him
as the hero of their souls, and those who chose
the path of Adam and Eve, those who would cling
(29:43):
to their own godhood. Such a divide would tear apart nations.
Yet in all of it there would be redemption, as
God's people mobilized to bring light into darkness. It was Sabbath.
Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. The entire
(30:03):
courtyard was overflowing with people waiting to hear Jesus teach
the oracles of God. As always, the pharisees and scribes
were in attendance, seeking to fire their arrows of dissension
whenever they could. Many people flowed in and out of
the room as Jesus spoke. Yet there was one who
(30:23):
caught Jesus' attention, a woman who hunched over in the
side of the room. She winced in pain as she
sat and listened. For eighteen years, she had been played
with a crooked spine. Her agony was great, and she
was in continual distress. Jesus ceased teaching and called out
(30:46):
to the woman, my child, he said. Although the room
was filled with people, the woman looked up somehow, knowing
he was speaking to her. Jesus stood to his feet
and opened his arms.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Rejoice, you are free from pain.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
And as he spoke those words, a warm sensation rose
up her back like a rising tide. Her body shuddered
as she pulled her shoulders back and straightened her spine.
The look of joy on her face was like the
bright light of heaven. Jesus rose his arms up in
victory and cheered for her. The rest of the crowd
(31:27):
joined in. The woman was in dismay and tears. She
ran up to Jesus, bowed at his feet, then ran
to the other women, perceiving loving embraces eye to eye
for the first time. The ruler of the synagogue rose
to his feet in rage. No, he shouted. The pharisees
(31:48):
also chimed in, this.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
Is a holy day. There are six days in which
work could be done. Jesus, heal your people then, but
today is God's day. Today is a day where no
work had been done.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
The ruler of the synagogue quickly regretted his words as
Jesus walked off the platform and marched towards him. Jesus
was kind and gentle, yet there was a righteous and
humble power that dwelled within him. With the fiery tongue
of God, he shouted hypocrites the ruler and the pharisees
(32:24):
stepped back for a moment, fearful of Jesus's intensity.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
On any given Sabbath, you would untie your ox a
donkey so that they may get a drink from the troth.
Here you look at this woman, a fellow child of Abraham,
and would allow her to suffer just because it's the Sabbath.
Answer me, oh, righteous men of God? Is he not
more precious to you than an ox or a donkey?
Speaker 3 (32:48):
The ruler of the synagogue looked at the woman, then
shrunk back in shame. His religious pride had replaced godly compassion,
and he knew it. However, the fairy's hearts were already
far too hardened to care. They left, having further ammunition
against Jesus. Meanwhile, in the quiet village of Bethany, Lazarus
(33:14):
lay in bed, fighting for his life. His once lively
and bright countenance was replaced by a pale shell of himself.
His coughs echoed into the night, blood pouring health from
his lungs. Mary sat beside his bed, holding his hand
and cry. Martha brought in a bucket of warm water
(33:37):
and dabbed his head with a cloth It had been
a week since Lazarus became sick, and his health had
only declined since. Tears streamed down Mary's face as she
watched her brother shiver and gasp for air.
Speaker 6 (33:52):
Is he going to die?
Speaker 3 (33:54):
She whispered to Martha. Martha sat beside the bed next
to Mary.
Speaker 6 (34:00):
He can't last much longer.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Martha paused, trying to hold back her tears. She was
the strongest of the three, continually keeping the family together. However,
she couldn't fix this. For all her anxiety, she could
not do anything to help her brother. Mary held Martha's hand.
Speaker 6 (34:23):
We should send for him, she whispered.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
Martha nodded and went downstairs to send one of her
teenage sons.
Speaker 6 (34:30):
Go and find Jesus.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
She ordered.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
Do not rest until you find him.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
The boy nodded and burst out of the door. The
boy was lean and fast. He knew if he ran
through the night, he could find Jesus by morning's light.
Over thirty miles away from Bethany, Jesus was walking with
his disciples to the synagogue. As he approached the steps
entering into the home, a boy came crashing into the group.
(34:59):
The boy fell into his face exhausted by the night's journey,
sweat and dirt covered his clothes. Jesus helped him up,
and the boy frantically held Jesus, my lord. He shouted
out of breath.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Lazarus, your dear friend, it's sick.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
It died. The rest of the disciples gasped and stirred,
yet not Jesus. He simply nodded and sent the boil
on his way. Then he began to go back into
the synagogue. His disciples stopped him and asked, Jesus, why
don't you go to heal Lazarus, Because.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
This illness does not lead to death, it leads to
the glory of God.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Jesus replied. They were surprised at his statement. Jesus had
so much power, he only needed to say a word
and Lazarus would be healed. But he spoke as if
Lazarus was not ill at all. Two days passed and
the disciples were packing up their things to.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
Follow Jesus going back to Judea.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
Jesus said plainly. The disciples were confused, since many of
Jesus's enemies were in Judea. Many people were plotting in
secret to kill him. Last time. They were in the region.
Jesus received multiple death threats.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Rabbi, is this wise. The religious leaders are waiting for
you there to stone you. Remember last time they sent
guards to seize.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
You, they warned. Jesus slung his pack over his shoulder
and began walking. He waved for the disciples to follow.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Come, we must hurry. He said, our friend Lazarus is
fallen asleep. We are gonna go wake him up.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
The disciples were confused. They were apprehensive. Jesus sighed, Lazarus
is dead. Jesus said, plainly.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
And for your sake, I'm glad I did not heal him,
because now you get to see what happens next.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
So Jesus kept walking, not looking back to see if
the disciples were following. The disciples froze. There were many
violent men and Judea waiting to harm them. Thomas grabbed
his walking stick, sighed, and began walking after Jesus. He
turned back to the others and.
Speaker 4 (37:14):
Said, well, I guess we're going to die with him.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
The men chuckled and followed Jesus to Judea. After a
few days journey, Jesus arrived in Bethany. By that time,
Lazarus had been dead for days. His corpse had begun
to rot, and the tomb outside the town. Jesus's heart
grew heavy as he approached the home of Mary and Martha.
(37:42):
They were outside in the garden weeping. Their eyes were
red from days of tears. They looked up. Martha's gaze
was piercing you. She shouted.
Speaker 6 (37:55):
You should have been here.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
She pointed at him, in pain.
Speaker 6 (38:00):
We sent for you, and you did not come. You
remained in your synagogue while he rotted away.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
Mary was silent, weeping on her knees and holding one
of Lazarus's sashes.
Speaker 4 (38:12):
If only you had been here, she whispered, he would have.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
He She could not hold back her tears. The women
were broken. Death was a cruel thief of joy, and
he had taken all of it. Martha composed herself and
looked at Jesus apologetically.
Speaker 6 (38:34):
I am sorry, Lord, even now I know that you
do the will of God, and whatever you ask of
God will be given to you.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
She wiped her nose and bowed her head. Jesus hugged
Martha and allowed her to cry for a while. He
led her to the bench, where Mary sat silently Lazarus
will rise again, Jesus said softly. Martha wiped her eyes
and said, we.
Speaker 6 (39:02):
Know that he will have a life after this one.
The Messiah will come, and the day of the Resurrection
will come after him.
Speaker 3 (39:09):
Jesus stood to his feet and walked towards the tombs.
He turned back to them.
Speaker 4 (39:15):
I am the Resurrection and the Life, he said. Whoever
believes in me, even though he may die, will experience
life everlasting. Do you believe this?
Speaker 6 (39:26):
Martha nodded yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ,
the living Son of God.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Jesus gave a brief smile and continued to Lazarus's tomb.
The clouds were dark in the sky. The skies seemed
ready to weep. Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was
cold as Jesus placed his hand on it. The disciples
stood at a distance, taking in the silence from Jesus.
(39:57):
He thought of his friend Lazarus. He was a man
of joy, laughter and wisdom. As the rain began to
fall from the sky, Jesus began to weep. He slammed
his fist against the dark stone. His bellows were drowned
out by the sound of falling rain. Jesus looked out
(40:19):
to Heaven, connecting with the heart of his father.
Speaker 4 (40:22):
This not supposed to ap.
Speaker 3 (40:24):
Jesus whispered, God was the creator of life, not death.
Mankind was supposed to experience life, not death. Death was
a cancer of creation as a result of the fall.
Death was the true and final enemy. It was the
enemy Jesus was determined to defeat. The rain was beating
(40:48):
down relentlessly. The earth seemed to be in unity with
the heart of Jesus. He turned to the group of
disciples with Martha and Mary. His eyes were filled with
hope fire. They sent shivers down the spines of the disciples.
Speaker 4 (41:05):
Roam away the stone.
Speaker 3 (41:07):
He whispered, Peter and Andrew pushed at the large stone.
They grinded against the floor, slowly opening A crippling odor
seeped through the tomb entrance. The disciples and others covered
their noses and retreated back. Thunder burst through the skies,
and Jesus stepped towards the tomb. He spoke for the
(41:30):
entire group to hear. His voice mirrored the drums of
thunder above.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
If you believe, you'll see the glory of God.
Speaker 3 (41:40):
He looked up to heaven rained, falling on his face.
Speaker 4 (41:44):
Father, I thank you that you hear every word I speak.
You are near to my Christ.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Jesus planted his feet firmly in the ground and fixed
his gaze into the dark and looming tomb. The clouds
whirled above, and lightning lit up disguise. Jesus's voice arose
like a tempest. The same breath that breathed life into
mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth like a
(42:10):
mighty wind into the cave.
Speaker 4 (42:12):
Lazarus come out.
Speaker 3 (42:14):
The rains ceased for a moment, and there was a
lingering silence. No one dared speak. Then, like a whisper,
they could hear a stirring in the tomb. A small
sliver of light cracked through the clouds. Jesus's gaze did
not leave the tomb. The others watched in dismay as
(42:37):
they saw Lazarus emerge from the darkness, covered in cloth,
like Adam so many generations ago. The breath of life
raised him from the ground. Mary and Martha ran and
embraced him. The three laughed in joy as Jesus returned
to his disciples. For thousands of generations, death had have
(43:00):
the final word. Jesus would no longer allow death to
rob the joy of his creation. He saw death in
an unworthy adversary. From that day forth, he set his
gaze on Jerusalem. Death was awaiting its challenger.
Speaker 2 (43:23):
Death began with a lie. You will not surely die,
the slithering voice whispered to Eve. The lies of the
enemy and the garden were the beginning of the end. Life,
Light and the loving relationship between God and mankind were
severed on that day. Yet even in the very beginning,
when the wounds of the fall were still fresh, God
(43:44):
was promising redemption. He promised to crush the serpent's head
and restore unity between him and his children. For all
the miracles and great teachings we learned about, we must
never forget Jesus's primary objective, the redemption of mankind. As
we have said every episode thus far, this is a
story about a father's love for his children and a
(44:04):
hero's triumph over death and darkness. The story of Lazarus
was not just a miracle, but a reminder, a reminder
that Jesus is still aiming at death like an archer,
and he intends on hitting his target. The story of
Lazarus has embedded itself in our culture. His name is
known even to those who do not profess any sort
of faith. This story is so layered that I thought
(44:27):
it deserved most of our attention today, so let's unpack
it together. We're introduced to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus at
a gathering in their home. Martha fusses over hosting, Lazarus
bonds with Jesus like a brother, and Mary sits at
his feet to hear Jesus's teaching. We do not know
how Jesus originally became friends with the three siblings, but
(44:48):
we are led to believe that they have a history.
They were friends and loved each other dearly. That is
why when Lazarus was sick, they sent for Jesus without request.
Did you notice that they simply told to him he
was sick, knowing Jesus cared enough to help. However, Jesus
did something I certainly wouldn't have expected from him. He delayed.
(45:08):
Jesus intentionally waited two days before traveling to see him,
knowing full well that the sickness had taken Lazarus's life.
Why did he delay? What was the point of Jesus waiting?
It is possible that Jesus knew Lazarus would be dead
by the time he reached him. The extra delay made
it so there would be no mistaking Lazarus's death. If
(45:29):
Jesus raised him too soon, skeptics could simply claim Lazarus
was never dead in the first place. Waiting created a
greater chasm for Jesus to bridge between life and death.
His delay was not a denial, but a decision to
display more of his glory. Jesus wanted everyone to know
that death had no power over him or those he loved.
(45:51):
Perhaps Jesus wanted the sting and anguish of death to
affect their hearts. It is good for us to feel
the weight of grief so that we might feel the
weight of comfort. The disciples asked Jesus why he didn't
leave to go heal Lazarus, and he responded, because this
illness does not lead to death. It leads to the
glory of God. We know from past stories that all
(46:13):
Jesus had to do was say a word and Lazarus
would be healed from a distance. Jesus didn't even need
to go to their house. Jesus chose to remain where
he was for a while, knowing that the glory of
God was going to be displayed through this event. Sometimes
our suffering can be prolonged longer than we would like.
Our struggles and conflicts may be extended past our comfort zones.
(46:36):
But this too can be for the glory of God.
There is a refining work in the waiting. If we
are diligent to seek God. While we wait, our minds
and hearts become resilient and strong. When we are consumed
with comfort, we can miss the more profound truths in life.
The grief that Mary and Martha had to endure for
a few days opened up their hearts to receive the
(46:57):
truth of Jesus. In order to go to Lazarus, Jesus
had returned to Judea, where he was a wanted man.
Entering the region was most certainly a challenge to the
people who wanted him dead. This is a very important
detail in the story. Jesus was walking toward death to
bring Lazarus to life. In order to bring back Lazarus
from the grave, Jesus had to enter a grave of
(47:18):
his own. This is a grand and beautiful picture of
the gospel. Jesus ran toward death, so we could run
away from it. I love the reaction Thomas had when
Jesus began his journey. Thomas grabbed his walking stick, sighed,
and began walking after Jesus. He turned back to the
others and said, well, I guess we are going to
(47:40):
die with him. If we choose to follow Jesus, hardships
will befall us as well. We are called to pick
up our cross and follow him. Jesus and his disciples
reached Mary and Martha a few days after their brother's death.
Mournings softened their hearts like fresh rain on the earth.
The soil of their hearts were fertile and ready for
(48:00):
a miracle to spring forth. Jesus comforted them, I am
the Resurrection and the life. Whoever bleeds in me, even
though he may die, will experience life everlasting. What Jesus
did with Lazarus was a foreshadowing of what he would
eventually do for anyone who bleeds in him. I loved
the scene where Jesus approaches the tomb. The clouds were
(48:23):
dark in the sky, the skies seemed ready to weep.
Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was cold. As Jesus
placed his hand on it. The disciple stood at a distance,
Taking in the silence from Jesus. He thought of his
friend Lazarus. He was a man of joy, laughter in wisdom.
As the rain began to fall from the sky, Jesus
(48:44):
began to weep. He slammed his fist against the dark stone.
His bellows were drowned out by the sounds of falling rain.
Jesus looked up to Heaven, connecting with the heart of
his father. This is not supposed to happen, Jesus whispered.
God was the create of life, not death. Mankind was
supposed to experience life, not death. Death was a cancer
(49:06):
of creation as a result of the fall. Death was
the true and final enemy. It was the enemy Jesus
was determined to defeat. Jesus Wept is the shortest verse
in the Bible, but it is packed with profound truth.
Jesus wept over death and despair. He is the author
of life, not death. He grieves sins effect on mankind.
(49:28):
So with powerful determination and love. Carrying his voice, Jesus
called out to the grave. The same breath that breathed
life into mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth
like a mighty wind into the cave, Lazarus, come out.
Do you hear that same voice calling out to you.
Have you been lying in a grave and waiting for life?
(49:49):
Have you been lost in darkness, depression, and despair? Hear
the voice of Jesus crying out with thundering love. Come out,
Come out of your sin and shame. Come out of
your selfishness. Come out of the darkness and step into
the light. Come out of the grave and step into life.
Jesus is calling out to you and me in the
same way he called Lazarus. My prayer for you as
(50:11):
we close is that you would step out of the grave.
What has been holding you back and keeping you in darkness?
Hear the voice of Jesus, Be filled with his spirit
and step out into the light. In our next episode,
Jesus is going to take his first steps toward the grave.
He did it with joy, because through death you and
I can experience life. Join us next time for episode fourteen,
(50:36):
the Beginning of the End. Thanks again for listening. For
more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com and to expand your heroes
in the Bible Journey download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tonyevans dot org Forward Slash Heroes. Please write
a review and let us know how Jesus and this
(50:57):
podcast has impacted your life. God bless
And when he thus had spoken, he cried out with
a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John eleven forty three.
Thank you God that the story of Lazarus serves as
a reminder that death no longer has power over my soul.
(00:20):
Through the life of Jesus, you continually display from me
the fact that I can no longer that I can
conquer anything, including the goliath of death. Therefore, I will
not be afraid to live my life to the fullest
because I know that I will not die, but I
will simply transition into my heavenly home when my time comes.
(00:47):
I declare that I will not live with regret or remorse,
but instead I will maximize every opportunity that I am given.
I will love with an intense and compassionate heart, and
I will live out the purpose and plans that you
have for me.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Lord.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
In the same way, Jesus, that you called forth Lazarus
from the tomb, I now call forth from the tombs
in my life the dreams and visions that have died
because of fear and doubt. I thank you Lord that
as I place them in your hands, you will breathe
(01:28):
new life and new strategy into every dream and vision
You've given me in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned to
immerse yourself in the Greatest Stories Ever Told from pray
dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Hi, I'm back to Tony Evans, your host for Heroes
in the Bible Jesus. If you've been enjoying this series,
please write a review and let me know how this
podcast has impacted your life. Welcome to the Greatest Story
Ever Told. It is a story of a shepherd's heart
for his sheep, a father's love for his children, and
a hero's triumph over death and darkness. This is a
(02:11):
story that continues to shape and mold the world around us,
bringing the divine heart of God right into the hearts
of you and me. This episode has some of the
most famous teachings and acts of Jesus. The Good Samaritan, Martha, Marion,
Lazarus all make a debut in this episode. Not only
does this story satisfy our need for rich truth, but
(02:32):
it also serves as a turning point in Jesus' ministry.
Up until now, Jesus' ministry has been mostly public speaking
personal time of his disciples and healing the sick. His
miracles have drawn many crowds, and his popularity has risen. However,
this episode is a hinge point where everything is going
to tilt while Jesus was still teaching and performing miracles.
(02:55):
Most of the story from here on out is about
Jesus's aim at death. Squabbles with the Pharisees, as heated
as they might get, are not the real battle. Jesus
has his eyes fixed on a hill in Jerusalem, Golgotha.
The prelude provides us with a theme to latch onto
during this episode. Death is the ultimate enemy. Jesus's foe
(03:17):
has never been the Pharisees, the religious system, or the Romans.
His battle has always been against sin, death, and despair.
This episode blends the traditional teachings of Jesus with foreshadows
of his death on the Cross. This episode is rich
with amazing parables and events. However, our time afterward will
be focused more on the title of this episode, Lazarus,
(03:40):
come out join me afterwards as we unpack this beautiful
story together.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Prelude to chapter thirteen. You will not surely die, the
slithering voice whispered to Eve. God knows that if you
eat of the fruit, you will become like him. He
cannot stand to have an equal. The serpent was crafty
(04:15):
and knew how to deceive the hearts of people. He
would entice them with the same desire he had to
become like God. Adam and Eve looked at the tree.
Its fruit was ripe and ready to eat. Will we
surely be like God? They thought. Eve plucked the fruit
(04:38):
and gave one to her husband, who was next to her.
Together the two of them mate. With the first bite,
the entire order of the cosmos shifted. They had denied
their creator in search of their own power, and set
in motion a tragedy they could not undo. The knowledge
(05:00):
of good and evil was upon them, and with it
their potential to sin. The eternal state of their souls
shriveled into an hour glass. Death had entered the scene.
The sin of pride, striving to become their own God
would plague humanity for generations to come. They would stray
(05:24):
from God and beat against his faithfulness. The enemy Death
waged war against humanity. Yet God would not allow Death
to have the final word. His love for humanity would
swing like a mighty sword. He had a plan to
rescue his people from death. He would take it on himself,
(05:45):
allowing it to consume him, so his people would not
have to Chapter thirteen. Lazarus, come out.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
Beild. I am sending you out a lambs among wolves.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Jesus said to his disciples.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
They will want to devour you. They'll revile you, persecute you.
They'll spit in your direction. You must be steadfast.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Seventy two of his followers stood before him. Jesus turned
to the fields of grain. Behind him, the rich golden
ears of grain danced in the morning breeze. The bright
sun rays bounced off the field as Jesus spoke.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
The harvest is plentiful. There are many who are ripe
to hear the gospel. However, the laborers are few. There
are few people willing to commit their lives to the harvest. Therefore,
pray for the laborers to be sent out.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
The group of seventy two stood before Jesus with their
heads held high. They were a motley pack of misfits
and nobody's. Yet Jesus saw in them the potential to
do mighty works. He was preparing them to go out
in groups of two to proclaim the gospel. Jesus walked
(07:05):
among them encouraging them and building them up.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, greet no
one on the road. For your course is set and
your purpose is clear. When you enter each house, declare
peace to them, eat with them, dwell with them, and
hear them. Heal the sick, and preach the Kingdom of God.
If they do not receive you, brush off the dust
(07:30):
of your clothes and move on.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Jesus then sent out the seventy two to proclaim the
message of freedom, peace and righteousness throughout the region. Jesus
watched as every disciple left two by two. They did
not know it, but they were being trained. One day
they would be sent out by Jesus in a different way.
(07:52):
They would need to lean on each other and be courageous.
They didn't yet understand how much power would be given
to them. As they departed, Jesus ventured into the mountains.
He sat on a stone overlooking the region of Judea.
The wind was howling and the trees shuddered below. He
(08:14):
was reminded of the unrepentant cities of Sodom and Gomorah
long ago ah, how they had rejected salvation any time
God offered mercy, they denied it. Jesus looked upon the
cities below. They had been called to righteousness, yet fell
victim to the idolatry of self righteousness. They praised him
(08:39):
for his signs, yet rejected the authority by which he
did them. They were fickle, and while many of them
cheered for him, now he knew what they would be
chanting next. With the wind drowning out his voice, Jesus
yelled into the canyons.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Woe to you, Corsin, Woe to you, best SAIDA, For
if I have done my mighty works in the gentile cities,
they would have repented long ago. Yet they will see
more mercy than you. And woe to you Capernaum. You
think you will be exalted to Heaven, Yet hates who
hates you.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
Jesus allowed his voice to echo through the canyons below.
The reverberating noise dissipated with the breeze. Jesus looked up
to Heaven, then back at the cities. He shook his
head and whispered, the.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
One who hears you hear is me father. The one
who rejects you rejects me. And the one who rejects
me rejects you.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
He continued to prank to God for repentance. There were
stiff necked people, unwilling to break and humble themselves. However,
Jesus loved them to such a degree he was prepared
to be humbled on their behalf. Jesus came down the
mountain after a few days. As he wandered back to
(10:03):
the road, he saw the group of seventy two walking
towards him. Jesus smiled as he watched them laugh, exchange stories,
and praise God. He had sent them out with the mission,
and they were returning with a renewed sense of purpose.
Even the demons fled and were subject to us by
your name. They disappeared, they shouted. The disciples were elated
(10:28):
at their new found mission. There was a profound sense
of fulfillment and bringing hope to households, healing the sick,
and preaching to the needy. Jesus could see the light
of God upon them. He embraced them and reached his
arms to heaven.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Yes, my friends, it is a joy, Jesus said. However,
I saw Satan himself fall from heaven like a bolt
of lightning. His pride was great, and so was his fall.
Listen to me, I have given you authority to buy
up the enemy and tread over serpents. Yet this power
is not what you should rejoice in. Rejoice that your
(11:08):
names are written in heaven.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
He needed to remind them that the greatest in the
Kingdom of Heaven were the humble. Great pride precedes great falls.
The young lawyer was meandering around the outskirts of Judaea.
He enjoyed bouncing from small town to small town, attending
synagogues and debating the local teachers. This hobby was an
(11:34):
innocent one, since he was on a quest for knowledge.
He was most fulfilled when he was intellectually stimulated and
sought the greatest challenges the law of God had to offer.
Many people followed Matthias, eager to watch him debate the
scriptures and the philosophical quandaries of the universe. So when
(11:55):
he had heard Jesus was in the region, he could
not help but fantasize about them speaking with them. Jesus
was walking in the outer regions of Judea. He and
his disciples would travel from village to village, preaching and healing.
As he was tending to the needs of the people.
(12:15):
The young lawyer approached him. He held himself with the
arrogant glow of a student. There was an unearned confidence
exuding from him. His cocky posture was showcased in stark
contrast to Jesus's humble position as he mended a woman's
broken foot. He approached Jesus with a crowd of eager
(12:39):
patrons behind him. Jesus smiled at the young man and
greeted him. The young lawyer went straight for his question,
ready to engage Jesus in a discussion.
Speaker 5 (12:50):
For the ages teacher, how shall I inherit eternal life?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
He asked, allowing the crown behind him to prepare themsels.
Jesus stood to his feet and wiped his hands on
his robe. They were dirty from working with the people
all day. He looked at the people, then walked over
to a bucket of water nearby to wash his face well.
(13:17):
Jesus began, what does it say in the law? You
have read the law, I assume, the young lawyer was
jumping to answer, ready to begin his discussion with Jesus.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart's soul, mind and strength. You shall love your neighbor
as yourself.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
The lawyer replied, Ah, yes, Jesus answered, very good. Do
these things and you shall live into eternity.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Jesus smiled and turned back to another person in need
of healing. The lawyer stopped him, annoyed that he could
not keep Jesus's attention.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Well, then, who is considered my neighbor? Certainly that varies
from person to person.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
The lawyer retorted. It was a common question of the day,
a question that certainly needed an answer. People were often
wondering who they needed to love and who they were
allowed to ignore. Jesus sighed and shook his head. He
looked up to the young lawyer and gestured for him
to take his seat next to him. He then gestured
(14:20):
for the crowd to come in close and listen. Jesus
began a story for the lawyer. It became apparent that
this would not be a conversation but a lesson.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
The merchant was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road
is notoriously dangerous and filled with bandits ready to jump
like a prowling lion. Despite the rumors of robbers, the
man decided to travel anyway. He walked the countryside with
ease until that very band of robbers ambushed him out
of nowhere. There was a swift blow to the merchant's
(14:55):
head to disorient him. Then as the man fell to
his knees, another robber kicked him in jaw. They took
his money and all his supplies. When the man began
to chase after them to get his things back, the
robbers quickly made a mockery of him, breaking his ribs,
tossing him to the ground onslaughts and onslaughts of kicks.
The robbers tore off his clothes. They took everything he owned,
(15:18):
even the clothes off his back. They shamed him and
tossed him off the edge of the road into a
ditch full of stones and weeds. The man's body was
lifeless for hours. Every breath was a struggle. There were
moments when the man believed he was dead, only to
be reminded by the pain that he was very much alive.
(15:41):
All hope seemed to be lost until he saw a
priest walking on the road. The merchant knew he only
had a few moments to make his presence known, so
he yelled for help. His cries were painful, but they
caught the attention of the priest. However, to the merchant's dismay,
the priest looked at him and then just walked away.
(16:01):
He could not be bothered. On his way to the temple.
The day was drawing to a close, and the blistering
sun was replaced with the cold evening air. Naked and shivering,
the man was certain he would die. However, his hope
returned to him as another man of God walked past.
A levite was also on his way to the temple.
(16:22):
His elegant robes of fine color shone in the moonlight.
When the levite saw the man quivering by the wayside,
he cringed and shuffled over to the other side of
the road, pretending not to see him. A priest and
a levite had rejected him, all hope was lost for
the poor man. The merchant knew that night would be
(16:45):
a cruel executioner, so he dragged himself from the ditch
onto the road. His naked body trembled in the freezing
night air. In a matter of moments, the man drifted
into a deep sleep. As he allowed his mind to wander,
he came to terms with his own inevitable death. While
the merchant was sleeping. He did not hear the slow
(17:08):
trot trot trot of a mule passing by. The mule
stop and a Samaritan man dismounted and crouched beside the merchant.
The merchant was able to peer his eyes open to
see a dark figure hidden by night lift him off
the dirt and on to his mule. The Samaritan man
continued into the night until he found the dim light
(17:31):
of a nearby inn. The Samaritan paid for a room
in the inn and then tended to his wounds. He
bound up his broken bones and sewed up his torn flesh.
Once the man was healed, the Samaritan paid the innkeeper
enough money to take care of him for a few
more weeks. Can you believe it? Then he returned to
check up on him.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Jesus concluded his story and looked at the young lawyer
with a tender smile.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
He said, so tell me which of the three was
a better neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
The lawyer was downtrodden and ashamed. The Samaritans were reviled
and hated among the Jews. If there was any one
he would call exempt from love. It was them.
Speaker 5 (18:18):
I suppose it was the one who showed mercy.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
He answered. Jesus placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Very good, you are a wise man. Now go and
do likewise.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
And with that Jesus stood to his feet to tend
to the rest of the city. Jesus did not engage
in the philosophical dialog the lawyer had hoped. However, he
gave him something that cut much deeper. He called him
to a higher standard of kindness. His story revealed deep
(18:52):
truths that had been hidden by dogma and prejudice. The
Jews considered the Samaritans dogs and wretch. They were treated
as sub human half breeds. On the other hand, priests
and Levites were revered as pillars of religious morality. Jesus
told the story of the good Samaritan to show that goodness, mercy,
(19:16):
and kindness can come from unexpected places. That showed Jesus
his heart that he was not concerned with cultural boundaries,
but human kindness. The smell of fresh saffron enveloped the
room as Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table.
(19:37):
It was a joy for the disciples to enjoy a
good meal among friends. They had entered the home of Mary, Martha,
and Lazarus. Their humble home proved as a welcome respite
from the brutal travel. Lazarus sat beside Jesus, sharing stories
and laughter. Jesus truly cherished Lazarus's friendship. Two of them
(20:00):
would often speak into the night about deep truths of God,
exchanging jokes along the way. Jesus then transitioned into teaching
the disciples. He poured into them deep truths and honest wisdom.
Mary sat at Jesus's feet and listened intently to every
word pouring from his mouth. She was nourished by the
(20:24):
gospel and soaked in every word she possibly could. However,
reeling in the corner of the room was Martha. She
anxiously swept the home, cooked the meal, and poured the wine.
Worry was visible on her face as she frantically paced
from room to room. Her anxious behavior was noticeable, and
(20:48):
Jesus could tell she was growing increasingly more annoyed at
her sister. Unaware of her sister's anger, Mary continued to
listen to Jesus. Martha, however, boiled with anger until she burst.
Speaker 6 (21:02):
Jesus Are you not going to tell my sister to
help me? Do you not even care that I have
toiled all day on this meal and keeping the house clean,
yet she refuses to take any responsibility.
Speaker 3 (21:14):
Martha was getting herself worked up. She fanned her face,
his tears began to well up. She was embarrassed that
she could not live up to her own standards of perfection,
and she was bitter at Mary for seeming to not
even care. Jesus gave a warm, soft smile Martha, he said,
(21:36):
gesturing for her to sit beside him. Martha rolled her
eyes and sat beside Jesus. He took her hand and
reassured her.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
Martha, you are anxious about many things. You tend to
carry the whole weight of the world on your shoulders.
Do not be so troubled. The only thing you need
to pay attention to is what your sister is already doing. See,
she sits at my feet, she listens to my words.
She has chosen the correct task.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Martha looked at her sister with an affectionate smile. She
wiped her eyes and hugged Jesus. Then, removing the rags
from her garment, she ceased her cleaning and sat at
the feet of Jesus. As Jesus went around the surrounding
regions of Judea, he came in contact with many Pharisees
(22:26):
seeking to challenge his ministry. Their continual questioning often ended
in Jesus shaming their lack of understanding, Yet there was
a mounting hatred behind their accusations. They called him a
messenger of Satan and sought to rile up the crowds
against him. Lawyers joined them in order to trap him
(22:48):
in falsehoods. Yet each time Jesus remained a steady voice
of truth. He watched as they stockpiled reputation, influence, and power.
They wore their authority like finely cut gems. Although they
tithed of everything they had, they refused to give to
(23:10):
God what truly matter their hearts. Jesus was pondering these
things as they stood in the back of the crowd.
They assumed their typical position, arms crossed in the back,
scoffing and whispering amongst themselves. Jesus looked the rest of
the crowd, fielding their questions on the Kingdom of God.
(23:34):
A man's voice spoke up.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
Saying, teacher, order, my brother to divide up his inheritance
with me.
Speaker 4 (23:41):
Come now, who has made me the arbitrator over you?
Speaker 3 (23:44):
Jesus said in jest. The crowd gave a quick chuckle,
and Jesus stroked his beard, preparing his response.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
We must guard our.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
Hearts, Jesus began.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
You must guard our hearts against greed, for one's life
is so much more than simply his possessions.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
The crowd nodded in agreement. Jesus spoke a parable saying.
Speaker 4 (24:07):
The vibrant and luscious farmland of a rich man produced
an abundance of goods. In his pride over his work,
he thought to himself, what shall I do? I have
nowhere to store my crops. The man had an idea.
He stored his grains and goods for years and years
in giant storehouses. He had finally sowed up so much
food that he was prepared to retire and finally rest.
(24:31):
Yet God had different plans. His life was required of him.
That night. God said to him, fool, this night your
soul will be taken, and the things you have prepared
will rot and rust away with the rest of the earth.
This is the danger of those who store up all
their treasure here on earth, not thinking of the eternal
(24:51):
weight of their actions, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Jesus turned to his disciples, understanding the worry of their hearts.
It was in the flesh of every man to pursue riches.
They wanted safety and prosperity for them and their families.
Yet Jesus knew the true solution to a thriving heart.
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Do not be anxious, Jesus encouraged, Do not worry about
your life what you will eat till the clothes you
put on. The ravens neither sow nor reap for food.
They have no barn our storehouses to store up grain
for the winter. Yet God feeds them and cares for them.
Rest assured, you are of far more value than they.
None of you worrying will add one minute to your life.
(25:37):
If God raised the fields with immaculate lilies, how much
more will he care for the clothes on your back.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
The disciples were still in anguish They did not want
to care about these things, yet they still found themselves worrying.
Jesus shook his head and looked at them endearingly, Oh.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
You of little faith, All the other nations rage again
one another in pursuit of more, more riches, more power,
more status. You are not of this world. Seek first
the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these
other things will be added unto you. Fear not, little flock,
(26:17):
for it is God's good pleasure to give you his kingdom.
Sell what you have and give to the needy. Invest
in a storehouse that will not wither or rought with
treasures in heaven.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
Jesus then pointed to his heart. He raised his voice
for all to hear.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
Where your treasure is, your heart will follow.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
The crowd had dissipated, but Jesus remained with the seventy two.
Jesus climbed up a small stone wall and sat there.
They looked up at him, content to sit and listen.
Speaker 4 (26:52):
More. Be ready, Jesus warn be like men who are
put in charge of a wedding feast for their master,
but they don't know when he'll be coming. Blessed are
the servants who stay alert and vigilant. Blessed are the
servants he finds attending to the needs of the household,
preparing for the guests. For the servants that remain faithful,
(27:13):
the Master will have them join him to delight in
the feast. He may come at the first watch, the second,
or even the third. The servants do not know, and
neither will you know when the son of Man returns.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Peter looked up to Jesus, curious about the parable he
was telling. He raised his voice and.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
Asked, Lord, who is this parable?
Speaker 2 (27:35):
For is it for all of us?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Jesus smiled and hopped off the wall. He sat down
among the disciples, playing with a small stone in his hand.
Speaker 4 (27:45):
There was a faithful servant who the Master put in
charge his manager over the household. Blessed is that servant.
If he is diligent, the Master will set him over
all his possessions.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
Jesus then threw the stone at a nearby creek bed.
He raised his finger and said.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
However, if the servant grows complacent and says, my master
is late, who cares about the feast, and then he
proceeds to beat the other servants and get drunk with
the wine for the feast, woe to him when the
master comes. The Master will come into the feast ready
to dine and fellowship, only to find the manager of
his house belligerent and drunk. His punishment will be severe.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Jesus then stood to his feet and helped Peter up.
He grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
Peter, to whom much is given, much will be demanded.
Remember this and be faithful with what's entrusted to you.
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Peter nodded and would remember these words. He held them
close to his heart. One day much would be required
of him, and he prayed he would have the strength
to rise to the occasion.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
Be mindful, my friends, My deeds will cast a great
fire on this earth. There will be a great baptism.
I will endure a pain unlike any other. My so
anguish is until it is accomplished. Have not come to
bring harmony between people, but a sword. Households will be
divided because of me, father against son, son against father,
(29:15):
mother against daughter, and daughter against mother. They will disagree
because of my deeds.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
For all of Christ's gentleness, he understood the weight of
what was about to happen. He understood that as he
stepped into the place of humanity, there would be a
great divide. There would be those who clung to him
as the hero of their souls, and those who chose
the path of Adam and Eve, those who would cling
(29:43):
to their own godhood. Such a divide would tear apart nations.
Yet in all of it there would be redemption, as
God's people mobilized to bring light into darkness. It was Sabbath.
Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. The entire
(30:03):
courtyard was overflowing with people waiting to hear Jesus teach
the oracles of God. As always, the pharisees and scribes
were in attendance, seeking to fire their arrows of dissension
whenever they could. Many people flowed in and out of
the room as Jesus spoke. Yet there was one who
(30:23):
caught Jesus' attention, a woman who hunched over in the
side of the room. She winced in pain as she
sat and listened. For eighteen years, she had been played
with a crooked spine. Her agony was great, and she
was in continual distress. Jesus ceased teaching and called out
(30:46):
to the woman, my child, he said. Although the room
was filled with people, the woman looked up somehow, knowing
he was speaking to her. Jesus stood to his feet
and opened his arms.
Speaker 4 (31:01):
Rejoice, you are free from pain.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
And as he spoke those words, a warm sensation rose
up her back like a rising tide. Her body shuddered
as she pulled her shoulders back and straightened her spine.
The look of joy on her face was like the
bright light of heaven. Jesus rose his arms up in
victory and cheered for her. The rest of the crowd
(31:27):
joined in. The woman was in dismay and tears. She
ran up to Jesus, bowed at his feet, then ran
to the other women, perceiving loving embraces eye to eye
for the first time. The ruler of the synagogue rose
to his feet in rage. No, he shouted. The pharisees
(31:48):
also chimed in, this.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
Is a holy day. There are six days in which
work could be done. Jesus, heal your people then, but
today is God's day. Today is a day where no
work had been done.
Speaker 3 (32:01):
The ruler of the synagogue quickly regretted his words as
Jesus walked off the platform and marched towards him. Jesus
was kind and gentle, yet there was a righteous and
humble power that dwelled within him. With the fiery tongue
of God, he shouted hypocrites the ruler and the pharisees
(32:24):
stepped back for a moment, fearful of Jesus's intensity.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
On any given Sabbath, you would untie your ox a
donkey so that they may get a drink from the troth.
Here you look at this woman, a fellow child of Abraham,
and would allow her to suffer just because it's the Sabbath.
Answer me, oh, righteous men of God? Is he not
more precious to you than an ox or a donkey?
Speaker 3 (32:48):
The ruler of the synagogue looked at the woman, then
shrunk back in shame. His religious pride had replaced godly compassion,
and he knew it. However, the fairy's hearts were already
far too hardened to care. They left, having further ammunition
against Jesus. Meanwhile, in the quiet village of Bethany, Lazarus
(33:14):
lay in bed, fighting for his life. His once lively
and bright countenance was replaced by a pale shell of himself.
His coughs echoed into the night, blood pouring health from
his lungs. Mary sat beside his bed, holding his hand
and cry. Martha brought in a bucket of warm water
(33:37):
and dabbed his head with a cloth It had been
a week since Lazarus became sick, and his health had
only declined since. Tears streamed down Mary's face as she
watched her brother shiver and gasp for air.
Speaker 6 (33:52):
Is he going to die?
Speaker 3 (33:54):
She whispered to Martha. Martha sat beside the bed next
to Mary.
Speaker 6 (34:00):
He can't last much longer.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Martha paused, trying to hold back her tears. She was
the strongest of the three, continually keeping the family together. However,
she couldn't fix this. For all her anxiety, she could
not do anything to help her brother. Mary held Martha's hand.
Speaker 6 (34:23):
We should send for him, she whispered.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
Martha nodded and went downstairs to send one of her
teenage sons.
Speaker 6 (34:30):
Go and find Jesus.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
She ordered.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
Do not rest until you find him.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
The boy nodded and burst out of the door. The
boy was lean and fast. He knew if he ran
through the night, he could find Jesus by morning's light.
Over thirty miles away from Bethany, Jesus was walking with
his disciples to the synagogue. As he approached the steps
entering into the home, a boy came crashing into the group.
(34:59):
The boy fell into his face exhausted by the night's journey,
sweat and dirt covered his clothes. Jesus helped him up,
and the boy frantically held Jesus, my lord. He shouted
out of breath.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Lazarus, your dear friend, it's sick.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
It died. The rest of the disciples gasped and stirred,
yet not Jesus. He simply nodded and sent the boil
on his way. Then he began to go back into
the synagogue. His disciples stopped him and asked, Jesus, why
don't you go to heal Lazarus, Because.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
This illness does not lead to death, it leads to
the glory of God.
Speaker 3 (35:39):
Jesus replied. They were surprised at his statement. Jesus had
so much power, he only needed to say a word
and Lazarus would be healed. But he spoke as if
Lazarus was not ill at all. Two days passed and
the disciples were packing up their things to.
Speaker 4 (35:58):
Follow Jesus going back to Judea.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
Jesus said plainly. The disciples were confused, since many of
Jesus's enemies were in Judea. Many people were plotting in
secret to kill him. Last time. They were in the region.
Jesus received multiple death threats.
Speaker 4 (36:16):
Rabbi, is this wise. The religious leaders are waiting for
you there to stone you. Remember last time they sent
guards to seize.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
You, they warned. Jesus slung his pack over his shoulder
and began walking. He waved for the disciples to follow.
Speaker 4 (36:34):
Come, we must hurry. He said, our friend Lazarus is
fallen asleep. We are gonna go wake him up.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
The disciples were confused. They were apprehensive. Jesus sighed, Lazarus
is dead. Jesus said, plainly.
Speaker 4 (36:49):
And for your sake, I'm glad I did not heal him,
because now you get to see what happens next.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
So Jesus kept walking, not looking back to see if
the disciples were following. The disciples froze. There were many
violent men and Judea waiting to harm them. Thomas grabbed
his walking stick, sighed, and began walking after Jesus. He
turned back to the others and.
Speaker 4 (37:14):
Said, well, I guess we're going to die with him.
Speaker 3 (37:19):
The men chuckled and followed Jesus to Judea. After a
few days journey, Jesus arrived in Bethany. By that time,
Lazarus had been dead for days. His corpse had begun
to rot, and the tomb outside the town. Jesus's heart
grew heavy as he approached the home of Mary and Martha.
(37:42):
They were outside in the garden weeping. Their eyes were
red from days of tears. They looked up. Martha's gaze
was piercing you. She shouted.
Speaker 6 (37:55):
You should have been here.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
She pointed at him, in pain.
Speaker 6 (38:00):
We sent for you, and you did not come. You
remained in your synagogue while he rotted away.
Speaker 3 (38:06):
Mary was silent, weeping on her knees and holding one
of Lazarus's sashes.
Speaker 4 (38:12):
If only you had been here, she whispered, he would have.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
He She could not hold back her tears. The women
were broken. Death was a cruel thief of joy, and
he had taken all of it. Martha composed herself and
looked at Jesus apologetically.
Speaker 6 (38:34):
I am sorry, Lord, even now I know that you
do the will of God, and whatever you ask of
God will be given to you.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
She wiped her nose and bowed her head. Jesus hugged
Martha and allowed her to cry for a while. He
led her to the bench, where Mary sat silently Lazarus
will rise again, Jesus said softly. Martha wiped her eyes
and said, we.
Speaker 6 (39:02):
Know that he will have a life after this one.
The Messiah will come, and the day of the Resurrection
will come after him.
Speaker 3 (39:09):
Jesus stood to his feet and walked towards the tombs.
He turned back to them.
Speaker 4 (39:15):
I am the Resurrection and the Life, he said. Whoever
believes in me, even though he may die, will experience
life everlasting. Do you believe this?
Speaker 6 (39:26):
Martha nodded yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ,
the living Son of God.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Jesus gave a brief smile and continued to Lazarus's tomb.
The clouds were dark in the sky. The skies seemed
ready to weep. Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was
cold as Jesus placed his hand on it. The disciples
stood at a distance, taking in the silence from Jesus.
(39:57):
He thought of his friend Lazarus. He was a man
of joy, laughter and wisdom. As the rain began to
fall from the sky, Jesus began to weep. He slammed
his fist against the dark stone. His bellows were drowned
out by the sound of falling rain. Jesus looked out
(40:19):
to Heaven, connecting with the heart of his father.
Speaker 4 (40:22):
This not supposed to ap.
Speaker 3 (40:24):
Jesus whispered, God was the creator of life, not death.
Mankind was supposed to experience life, not death. Death was
a cancer of creation as a result of the fall.
Death was the true and final enemy. It was the
enemy Jesus was determined to defeat. The rain was beating
(40:48):
down relentlessly. The earth seemed to be in unity with
the heart of Jesus. He turned to the group of
disciples with Martha and Mary. His eyes were filled with
hope fire. They sent shivers down the spines of the disciples.
Speaker 4 (41:05):
Roam away the stone.
Speaker 3 (41:07):
He whispered, Peter and Andrew pushed at the large stone.
They grinded against the floor, slowly opening A crippling odor
seeped through the tomb entrance. The disciples and others covered
their noses and retreated back. Thunder burst through the skies,
and Jesus stepped towards the tomb. He spoke for the
(41:30):
entire group to hear. His voice mirrored the drums of
thunder above.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
If you believe, you'll see the glory of God.
Speaker 3 (41:40):
He looked up to heaven rained, falling on his face.
Speaker 4 (41:44):
Father, I thank you that you hear every word I speak.
You are near to my Christ.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Jesus planted his feet firmly in the ground and fixed
his gaze into the dark and looming tomb. The clouds
whirled above, and lightning lit up disguise. Jesus's voice arose
like a tempest. The same breath that breathed life into
mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth like a
(42:10):
mighty wind into the cave.
Speaker 4 (42:12):
Lazarus come out.
Speaker 3 (42:14):
The rains ceased for a moment, and there was a
lingering silence. No one dared speak. Then, like a whisper,
they could hear a stirring in the tomb. A small
sliver of light cracked through the clouds. Jesus's gaze did
not leave the tomb. The others watched in dismay as
(42:37):
they saw Lazarus emerge from the darkness, covered in cloth,
like Adam so many generations ago. The breath of life
raised him from the ground. Mary and Martha ran and
embraced him. The three laughed in joy as Jesus returned
to his disciples. For thousands of generations, death had have
(43:00):
the final word. Jesus would no longer allow death to
rob the joy of his creation. He saw death in
an unworthy adversary. From that day forth, he set his
gaze on Jerusalem. Death was awaiting its challenger.
Speaker 2 (43:23):
Death began with a lie. You will not surely die,
the slithering voice whispered to Eve. The lies of the
enemy and the garden were the beginning of the end. Life,
Light and the loving relationship between God and mankind were
severed on that day. Yet even in the very beginning,
when the wounds of the fall were still fresh, God
(43:44):
was promising redemption. He promised to crush the serpent's head
and restore unity between him and his children. For all
the miracles and great teachings we learned about, we must
never forget Jesus's primary objective, the redemption of mankind. As
we have said every episode thus far, this is a
story about a father's love for his children and a
(44:04):
hero's triumph over death and darkness. The story of Lazarus
was not just a miracle, but a reminder, a reminder
that Jesus is still aiming at death like an archer,
and he intends on hitting his target. The story of
Lazarus has embedded itself in our culture. His name is
known even to those who do not profess any sort
of faith. This story is so layered that I thought
(44:27):
it deserved most of our attention today, so let's unpack
it together. We're introduced to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus at
a gathering in their home. Martha fusses over hosting, Lazarus
bonds with Jesus like a brother, and Mary sits at
his feet to hear Jesus's teaching. We do not know
how Jesus originally became friends with the three siblings, but
(44:48):
we are led to believe that they have a history.
They were friends and loved each other dearly. That is
why when Lazarus was sick, they sent for Jesus without request.
Did you notice that they simply told to him he
was sick, knowing Jesus cared enough to help. However, Jesus
did something I certainly wouldn't have expected from him. He delayed.
(45:08):
Jesus intentionally waited two days before traveling to see him,
knowing full well that the sickness had taken Lazarus's life.
Why did he delay? What was the point of Jesus waiting?
It is possible that Jesus knew Lazarus would be dead
by the time he reached him. The extra delay made
it so there would be no mistaking Lazarus's death. If
(45:29):
Jesus raised him too soon, skeptics could simply claim Lazarus
was never dead in the first place. Waiting created a
greater chasm for Jesus to bridge between life and death.
His delay was not a denial, but a decision to
display more of his glory. Jesus wanted everyone to know
that death had no power over him or those he loved.
(45:51):
Perhaps Jesus wanted the sting and anguish of death to
affect their hearts. It is good for us to feel
the weight of grief so that we might feel the
weight of comfort. The disciples asked Jesus why he didn't
leave to go heal Lazarus, and he responded, because this
illness does not lead to death. It leads to the
glory of God. We know from past stories that all
(46:13):
Jesus had to do was say a word and Lazarus
would be healed from a distance. Jesus didn't even need
to go to their house. Jesus chose to remain where
he was for a while, knowing that the glory of
God was going to be displayed through this event. Sometimes
our suffering can be prolonged longer than we would like.
Our struggles and conflicts may be extended past our comfort zones.
(46:36):
But this too can be for the glory of God.
There is a refining work in the waiting. If we
are diligent to seek God. While we wait, our minds
and hearts become resilient and strong. When we are consumed
with comfort, we can miss the more profound truths in life.
The grief that Mary and Martha had to endure for
a few days opened up their hearts to receive the
(46:57):
truth of Jesus. In order to go to Lazarus, Jesus
had returned to Judea, where he was a wanted man.
Entering the region was most certainly a challenge to the
people who wanted him dead. This is a very important
detail in the story. Jesus was walking toward death to
bring Lazarus to life. In order to bring back Lazarus
from the grave, Jesus had to enter a grave of
(47:18):
his own. This is a grand and beautiful picture of
the gospel. Jesus ran toward death, so we could run
away from it. I love the reaction Thomas had when
Jesus began his journey. Thomas grabbed his walking stick, sighed,
and began walking after Jesus. He turned back to the
others and said, well, I guess we are going to
(47:40):
die with him. If we choose to follow Jesus, hardships
will befall us as well. We are called to pick
up our cross and follow him. Jesus and his disciples
reached Mary and Martha a few days after their brother's death.
Mournings softened their hearts like fresh rain on the earth.
The soil of their hearts were fertile and ready for
(48:00):
a miracle to spring forth. Jesus comforted them, I am
the Resurrection and the life. Whoever bleeds in me, even
though he may die, will experience life everlasting. What Jesus
did with Lazarus was a foreshadowing of what he would
eventually do for anyone who bleeds in him. I loved
the scene where Jesus approaches the tomb. The clouds were
(48:23):
dark in the sky, the skies seemed ready to weep.
Jesus approached the tomb. The stone was cold. As Jesus
placed his hand on it. The disciple stood at a distance,
Taking in the silence from Jesus. He thought of his
friend Lazarus. He was a man of joy, laughter in wisdom.
As the rain began to fall from the sky, Jesus
(48:44):
began to weep. He slammed his fist against the dark stone.
His bellows were drowned out by the sounds of falling rain.
Jesus looked up to Heaven, connecting with the heart of
his father. This is not supposed to happen, Jesus whispered.
God was the create of life, not death. Mankind was
supposed to experience life, not death. Death was a cancer
(49:06):
of creation as a result of the fall. Death was
the true and final enemy. It was the enemy Jesus
was determined to defeat. Jesus Wept is the shortest verse
in the Bible, but it is packed with profound truth.
Jesus wept over death and despair. He is the author
of life, not death. He grieves sins effect on mankind.
(49:28):
So with powerful determination and love. Carrying his voice, Jesus
called out to the grave. The same breath that breathed
life into mankind in the garden of Eden burst forth
like a mighty wind into the cave, Lazarus, come out.
Do you hear that same voice calling out to you.
Have you been lying in a grave and waiting for life?
(49:49):
Have you been lost in darkness, depression, and despair? Hear
the voice of Jesus crying out with thundering love. Come out,
Come out of your sin and shame. Come out of
your selfishness. Come out of the darkness and step into
the light. Come out of the grave and step into life.
Jesus is calling out to you and me in the
same way he called Lazarus. My prayer for you as
(50:11):
we close is that you would step out of the grave.
What has been holding you back and keeping you in darkness?
Hear the voice of Jesus, Be filled with his spirit
and step out into the light. In our next episode,
Jesus is going to take his first steps toward the grave.
He did it with joy, because through death you and
I can experience life. Join us next time for episode fourteen,
(50:36):
the Beginning of the End. Thanks again for listening. For
more inspiring stories, daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime,
go to pray dot com and to expand your heroes
in the Bible Journey download the Heroes of the Faith
devotional at Tonyevans dot org Forward Slash Heroes. Please write
a review and let us know how Jesus and this
(50:57):
podcast has impacted your life. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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