Signs: The Raising of Lazarus Flashcards
context
one of the most significant miracles showcasing jesus power over death and his compassion for his friends
end of jesus’ ministry shortly before his own crucifixion
key details pt.1
illness and death of lazarus: lazarus falls ill and word gets to jesus, who says that his illness will not lead to death but only serve to glorify god. jesus says he has fallen asleep and ppl think he has fell asleep, THEY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD.
jesus; arrival in bethany: lazarus dead for 4 days and martha says if jesus was there then he wouldnt have died, but jesus says “i am the resirrection and the life, he who believes in me will live, even though he dies”
they go to his tomb, mary and martha weeps, jesus also sheds a tear (REPRESENTING HIS HUMANITY)
key details pt.2
raising of lazarus: jesus commands tomb stone to be removed and prays to the father, which leads to jesus telling lazarus to come out of the tomb and he walks out in his burial clothes
burial clothes are removed from him and he is SET FREE!
reaction of the people: many people witnessed this miracle and told the pharisees who became increasingly hostile towards jesus
pharisees and roman council convene a concil to plot against jeuss’ arrest, fearing that his growing popularity will lead to a rebellion against roman authority
themes and teachings
power over death
compassion and empathy
faith and belief
rejection and opposition
power over death
demonstrates jesus power of death and forshadows his own resurrection. confirms his identity of the son of god and the sourc eof eternal life for believers
compassion and empathy
jesus response at the tomb when mary and martha weeped was also him weeping/shedding a tear, he weeps with those who mourn and share their sorrow
faith and belief
the strong faith of mary and martha highlights the importance of faith and belief in experiencing the power of gods miraculous intervention. their faith leads to the manifestation of jesus’ glory in raising lazarus from the dead
rejection and opposition
the reaction of the pharisses to jesus’ miracle reveals the depth of their unbelief and rejection of god’s grace. although, their disbelief and hostility towards him fulfills gods redemptive plan of jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection
implication for christians today
hope in the resurrection
comfort in suffering
call to faith and belief
witness to jesus power
hope in the resurrection
just as lazarus rose from the dead, it shows that jesus also has power over death, including his and including ours. at the end of time jesus will successfully resurrect those who believe and have lived their lives full of gods love grace, and hope that one day he will come back to save us all
comfort in suffering
jesus’ compassion for mary and martha and the mourners offers comfort and solace to believes in great time of sadness and grief. even though jesus was this extraordinary divine being, him weeping also shows part of his human side which can ultimately relate to humans the most and at the same time still remind us that he is the king, the divine being.
call to faith and belief
the faith of mary and martha challenges believeers to believe before it is too late and we are stuck in impossible circumstances, without any god to help us. we need to rely on jesus all with our faith that he will one day bring us out of death
witness to jesus’ power
the reaction of the witnesses to lazarus’ resurrection serves as a testimony to jesus’ power and authority. it challenges believers to gain the courage and faith to one day be witness to jesus/god’s transformative power.
scholars: pollard
the absence of this story in the synoptics has resulted in doubts and denials of its historicity
it is staggeringly supernatural and some may just simply not believe it because of how supernatural it is
