There Will Be a Resurrection! - "LAZARUS, COME OUT!"

When Jesus arrived at the grave where Lazarus' body had been placed, the entrance had been sealed with a large stone. Jesus said: "Take the stone away." But Martha didn't want them to. Lazarus' body had already been in the tomb for four days.  (John 1:39)  She did not know what Jesus was about to do to help her brother.

Jesus said to Lazarus: "Come out!"  What Martha and Mary saw next was amazing.  "The man who had been dead  came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings."  (John 11:43, 44)   Lazarus had been brought back to life!  He was reunited with his family and friends.  They could hold him, touch him, and talk to him.  What  a miracle!  Jesus had resurrected Lazarus.

"LITTLE GIRL, I SAY TO YOU, 'GET UP!'

Did Jesus resurrect by his own power?  No.  Before he resurrected Lazarus, Jesus prayed to Jehovah, and Jehovah gave him the power to resurrect Lazarus.  (Read John 11:41, 42)  Lazarus wasn't the only person who was resurrected.  The Bible tells us about a 12-year-old girl who was very sick.  Her father, Jairus, was desperate, and he begged Jesus to heal her.  Why bother the Teacher any longer?"  But Jesus said to Jairus:  "Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved."   He then walked to Jairus' home with him.  As they came near the house, Jesus could see and hear people crying.  Jesus told them:  "Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping."  Her father and mother must have wondered what Jesus meant. Jesus asked everyone to leave and took her father and mother into the room where their little girl was lying.  Jesus gently took her by the hand and said to her:  "Little girl, I say to you, 'Get up!'"  Imagine the joy of her parents when she immediately got up and started walking!  Jesus had resurrected the daughter.  (Mark 5:22-24, 35-42; Luke 8:49-56)  From that day one, when they saw their little girl, they would remember what Jehovah had done for them through Jesus.

Those whom Jesus brought back to life died again later. But what we read about these people is valuable because it gives us real hope.  Jehovah wants to resurrect people, and he will.

Next time: There Will Be a Resurrection! - WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THE RESURRECTION ACCOUNTS

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