Lazarus Part 1

00:00:00 Speaker 1: The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness, but he is patient with us, not wishing that any one should perish Second Peter three nine. Dear Lord, our hearts are moved by the depth of your patience and the breadth of your mercy. In humility, we recognize our own impatience and our limited understanding of your timing. We confess the times we've doubted your plan, question the delay in your promises, not seeing the bigger picture of your redemptive work. Teach us, o God, to embrace patience as a gift, an opportunity for more. Help us to mirror your patience in our interactions with others, cultivating hearts that are slow to anger and rich in mercy. May we be instruments of your peace, extending the invitation to repentance through our words and actions, embodying the hope and grace that you offer. Deepen our appreciation for your timing and purpose, grounding us in the assurance of your coming victory in the season of waiting, Refine us, use us, and prepare us for the glorious day of your return. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast. Remain here to immerse yourself in the heart wrenching story of Lazarus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far and are wondering how to support us, follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. These small steps make all the difference. Thanks for making the mission possible. Dusky clouds hovered over the quiet town of Bethany. The moon was desperate to shine through, but the thick fog kept it at bay. Most of the lights down below were snuffed out. Nestled on the hillside was the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. A single flickering light emanated from an open window. The house, once bustling with life and laughter, was silent except for the sound of labored breaths and painful coughs. Mary sat beside her brother's bed, holding his hand in hers. Lazarus was trembling from a fever, fighting for his life. A pale shell of himself replaced his once lively and bright countenance. His coughs echoed into the night, blood pouring from his nose and on the cloth beside him. Mary flinched every time Lazarus fought for air. 00:03:16 Speaker 2: Martha, it's happening again. More blood. 00:03:21 Speaker 1: Martha rushed into the room with warm water and more rags. She wrung one out, dabbed his face, and placed another on his forehead. Lazarus began another fit of coughing. 00:03:34 Speaker 2: Shy brother. 00:03:37 Speaker 1: Martha whispered with a low, soothing tone. Her hands trembled as she dabbed his forehead. She pursed her lips and clenched her throat, holding back tears. No, wasn't the time for sobs. She needed to be strong for Lazarus and Mary. 00:03:55 Speaker 2: Is he going to die? 00:03:57 Speaker 1: Mary whispered to Martha, voiced quivering with grief. 00:04:01 Speaker 2: Get the alo from the stone box outside, Martha commanded, crush it in a bowl with mint and mix it with boiling water. Soak some rags in it, and bring it back up here for Lazarus. Go. 00:04:12 Speaker 1: Mary furrowed her brow and left. Once she was gone, Martha squeezed her brother's hand. 00:04:19 Speaker 2: Oh you know, Mary cries over a gnat being swatted. 00:04:22 Speaker 1: A slight smile creased at the edge of lazarus mouth. 00:04:26 Speaker 3: She cries extra so that you don't have to. But I know you sent her out because you don't want to answer a question. 00:04:35 Speaker 1: Martha didn't respond. She squeezed her little brother's hand and smiled. Lazarus drifted back to sleep, shimmering and sweating. Martha leaned over and kissed his hand. 00:04:50 Speaker 2: We should send for him. 00:04:51 Speaker 1: Mary said from behind. Martha turned round. She returned with the aloe soaked rags and laid them on a Lazarus check. The vapor soothed his labored breathing. Mary rubbed her red eyes and sniffed. 00:05:08 Speaker 2: He's his best friend. He'd come right away. 00:05:11 Speaker 1: Martha nodded in agreement. She kissed Lazarus on the forehead and went downstairs. She called for Ethan, the teenage servant in their father's household. He was more family than an employee, raised by their father from a young age Ethan. She placed some bread, cheese, and a water skin in a satchel Ethan ran into the room and bowed his head. 00:05:37 Speaker 2: Ethan, I need you to be resourceful and strong for this family. 00:05:41 Speaker 1: She held the boy's face and looked at him intensely. 00:05:44 Speaker 2: Lazarus is going to die unless we find Jesus of Nazareth. I don't know where he is, but something tells me if you ask around, someone will know tell him that the one he loves is sick. 00:05:56 Speaker 1: Ethan nodded in understanding. Martha smiled and patted his cheek. 00:06:01 Speaker 2: Good boy, here's a pack of food and water. Don't rest until you find him. Go. 00:06:07 Speaker 1: The boy was lean and fast. He knew if he ran through the night, he could find Jesus by dusk the following day, he disappeared into the foggy night, torchlight fading more with every stride. 00:06:27 Speaker 4: Do you feel like Jesus is for you? Do you believe that He cares for you? If we feel like we have to convince Jesus to help us, it may cause us to hesitate in coming to him. But if we understand the depths of Christ's love for us, we can be confident that He will help us in our time of need. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year's story showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory of God's truth. I'm Zach, your host from pray dot com. Thanks for joining us today for part one of a two part finale and Miracles of the Messiah. Be sure to follow the podcast as you don't miss any of these amazing stories of God's love today's story introduces us to Mary and her sister Martha. Now we've seen them before, but we are about to experience them in a much more tragic light. Having known Jesus since childhood. The sisters share with them the news that their brother Lazarus has fallen ill, but they're not coming to him as lifelong friends this time. They come to Jesus as a miracle worker in the Messiah, praying for a miracle that can save their brother. Through our story, will be pushed to trust in Jesus, learning that his plans may often be different than ours, and when it comes to Jesus, different ways always means better. As you listen, I encourage you to allow yourself to connect with Mary and Martha in their time of emotional distress, letting Jesus minister to your heart as he does to theirs. 00:07:42 Speaker 1: It was a cold night. The air was wet, primed for a storm. Any sign of light from the heavens was hidden behind the thick veil of clouds. They rotated overhead, preparing to crack open for rain. Jesus knees were pressed into the cold floor of his room. A small candle flickered beside him. Illuminating his moving lips, whispering prayers to his father. The chief priests and Jewish rulers grew more provoked by the day. Jesus knew his time was near, so he prayed. He prayed for his resolve. He prayed for his followers. He prayed that the Father's will would be done on earth as in heaven. Jesus prayers rose and fell, with different petitions and praises. His prayers were long, labored, raw, powerful, beautiful, and intimate. His prayers were interrupted by a tapping on the door. It slowly creaked a back. Thomas peeked his head in. 00:09:02 Speaker 5: Master, is a visitor here for you, He says, it's urgent send him in. 00:09:08 Speaker 1: The young boy, Ethan stepped forward sombrely. Jesus rose to his feet and greeted the young. 00:09:14 Speaker 3: Man, Ethan, you've come this far from Bethany, that's thirty miles from here. What happened? Lord? I've come to tell you that the one you love has become very sick. 00:09:27 Speaker 5: He needs you. 00:09:28 Speaker 1: Of course, Jesus knew Ethan was talking about Lazarus. Jesus was silent for a long drawn out moment. The news hovered in the air for a while, like the clouds. Thomas looked at Jesus closely. It seemed as though his mind was elsewhere, like he could hear a voice nobody else could. Thomas wondered if he would leave at that moment to be at lazarus side, but instead, as if resolving a conversation he had had with himself, and then said, very. 00:10:06 Speaker 3: Well, then, Thomas, could you get Ethan something to eat and get him a few blankets. I'm sure he's tired from so much travel. 00:10:14 Speaker 1: That's it, Thomas replied, confused. 00:10:17 Speaker 5: What message should Ethan send back home? Are you leaving for Judea? 00:10:21 Speaker 1: No? 00:10:22 Speaker 5: Why? 00:10:23 Speaker 1: Jesus placed, reassuring hands on Ethan and Thomas's shoulders. 00:10:27 Speaker 3: This illness doesn't lead to death. It is for the glory of the Father, so that the son may be glorified through it. Is that what I should tell Martha when I leave in the morning. Yes, although I'm sure the answer won't please her. 00:10:42 Speaker 1: Jesus left the room to fetch Ethan warm blankets and a hot meal. Ethan and Thomas looked at each other in confusion. Jesus seemed unfazed by the news. Was he in denial? Or did he simply not even care. Two days had passed since Jesus learned about lazarus illness. It was hard to tell that the sun had risen, since the storm clouds still covered the skies. Dawn's rays were filtered through a dark haze, washing the color out of the land below. Jesus sat on the rooftop, looking westward toward Judea. He knew that Lazarus had passed. His throat clenched and he breathed in deeply. The wind picked up and blew in his direction, as if warning him not to return to Judea. There was a price on his head. If he stepped foot in that region, he'd besetting his death in motion. Nevertheless, there was a task at hand, a mission to complete. Jesus stood and stretched, then walk down the stairs to wake his disciples. He nudged each of them wake. Some like Simon, were already awake with the sunrise. Others like Peter, needed some kicks and jabs to the ribs. 00:12:14 Speaker 3: Everyone up, pack your things, bring enough for a few days. 00:12:18 Speaker 1: Peter grunted and pulled his mangled hair back. 00:12:21 Speaker 3: Where are we going back to Judea? Bethany to be specific. 00:12:26 Speaker 1: Jesus helped Matthew to his feet and ruffle John's hair. 00:12:30 Speaker 5: Master, last time you were there, they tried to stone you to death, and now you want you return. 00:12:37 Speaker 3: Why are there not twelve hours in the day. 00:12:40 Speaker 1: Jesus urged, with a knowing glint in his eyes. 00:12:43 Speaker 3: If anyone walks in the day, he doesn't stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks at night, he stumbles because the light is not in him. 00:12:56 Speaker 5: He's too early for riddles. 00:12:59 Speaker 1: Peter said his temples. 00:13:01 Speaker 3: All right, I'll speak plainly. Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I intend to wake him. 00:13:08 Speaker 1: Jesus slung his pack over his shoulder and began walking out the door. The others huddled at the entrance, wondering what on earth Jesus was talking about. 00:13:18 Speaker 5: Lord, If Lazarus is asleep, won't he wake up on his own? 00:13:23 Speaker 1: Jesus stopped, sighed, and turned around. 00:13:27 Speaker 3: Lazarus has died. 00:13:29 Speaker 1: The others gasped, Jesus. 00:13:34 Speaker 5: You're so sorry. We know you two work close. 00:13:38 Speaker 3: Thank you, but I am glad for your sake. I wasn't there, because now now you will get to behold the works of God and relieve. 00:13:49 Speaker 1: Jesus turned and started walking again. 00:13:51 Speaker 3: Come let's go wake him up. 00:13:54 Speaker 1: The disciples froze. There were many violent men in Judea waiting to harm them. Thomas grabbed his walking stick, sighed, and began walking after Jesus. He turned back to the others. 00:14:10 Speaker 5: And said, come on, I guess we're going to die with him. 00:14:14 Speaker 1: The men looked at each other and chuckled. They quickly gathered their things and followed Jesus to Judea. 00:14:25 Speaker 4: Up until this point in Jesus's ministry, there had been two instances of Jesus raising someone from the dead, the son of the widow of Name and the daughter of Gyrus. While Mary and Martha may not have known it, their brother Lazarus would be the third and final person Jesus raises from the dead during his time on Earth. According to John twelve, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead only six days before the Passover Feast, meaning Jesus was nearing the end of his time on Earth. What a spectacular way to foreshadow the salvation he would bring by giving life to his beloved friend. Before Lazarus's death, his sisters sent word to Jesus of his illness, hoping that their friend would be able to heal him before the situation got worse. Wanting to comfort them and their fears, Jesus sends word back to assure the sisters lazarus sickness would not end in death. If we were to jump to the end of the story, we know that Lazarus does die. However, his death wouldn't be the end for him. But for Mary and Martha these words must have brought a lot of conflicting emotions. At first, they find solace in these words and affirmation. However, it wouldn't be long before Lazarus does in fact die. Could it be that Jesus was wrong. Certainly not, but it must have felt that way. They had a promise from the Lord that their brother's illness wouldn't lead to death, but all signs are pointing in the opposite direction. Maybe you found yourself in a similar situation. You know God has made you a promise, but your circumstances seem to conflict with any sense that that's true. But God doesn't make promises without fully intending to keep them. Whatever God tells us, we can be sure that He's going to keep his word, So don't lose hope just because your situation doesn't look bright. The author of Hebrews writes this, let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He promises to be faithful Hebrews ten twenty three. Even when we can't perceive what God is doing, we can hold on to the hope that He gives us. God is faithful, and any promise he makes our ironclad and a guarantee. Paul says this in Second Corinthians one, for no matter how many promises God has made, they are yes in Christ. And so through him a man is spoken to us by the glory of God, and we trust in God. We can find joy in knowing whatever God allows to happen, He's going to use it for glory. But that doesn't make our present circumstances any less difficult. Sometimes the way God wants to bring himself glory may be difficult for us. Understand. Let's think about the story for a second. After Jesus receives word about Lazarus's failing health, he intentionally stays where he is for two more days. This, in effect, assures that Lazarus would die before he came. Jesus knew that if he left rightway, Lazarus was still be alive. But this wasn't time for another miracle of healing. Guys, we have been through so many miracles of healing. This was a time to perform an even greater miracle. In short, Jesus knew the perfect timing to take action, and it was actually this miracle that spurred the pharisees on to seek his death. This was the beginning of the end. After Jesus sends word back to Marion Martha, he takes a moment to teach the disciples. At this point in his ministry, Jesus had built up a lot of notoriety, some which brought extreme persecution. It's clear that the disciples were worried about this because going back to Judea would mean death, drawing near to the end of their three years with him, they should have trusted in Jesus's protection, But the Lord knew their hearts and understood that they were still growing. In just a few days, Jesus would be with the disciples celebrating the Passover in the upper Room. While there, Jesus would tell them In John sixteen thirty three, I have told you these things so that you may have peace. And this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world. We can't fault the disciples for needing reminders like this. We've likely all had times when we were afraid of others because of our faith. But we don't have to be afraid. Just like the Disciples had Jesus by their side to lead them through the danger, we have been given the spirit. His presence is always with us. So don't be afraid to go where Jesus calls you, because he has overcome the world. One disciple that showed signs of understanding this was Thomas. While the disciples were afraid of what might happen to Jesus when they went back to Judea, Thomas exhorts the other disciples that they should just go, even if that men dying. Thomas may not have known about the promise of resurrection, but it's clear that he was devoted and loyal to Jesus. Sometimes called the Twin, it's believed that Thomas had a striking resemblance to Jesus, which meant that if Jesus faced the most danger in Judea, Thomas would probably be close second, but through his urging to join Jesus despite the risk of death, it's clear that Thomas wanted to identify with Jesus more than just appearance. He was willing to face death, even if that meant following Christ.