"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
—John 11:21-22
6. Lazarus’s death shows me that Jesus cries with us and for us.
Yes, Jesus, even though he knows ALL things, still cries for us. He cries when we hurt from a broken heart, a death, a lost job or home. He cries when we have joy from a new baby, graduating from college or our wedding day. He cries tears of joy when we ask him into our heart and cries tears of sadness when we sin. Yes, Jesus cries. And because he cries, it's OK for us to cry.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
—John 11:33-36
7. Lazarus’s death shows me we need to be reminded of who Jesus is and His purpose.
I may say I know the Word, but I declare. If I really did, then why do I keep forgetting it and go back to my ways? Thank you, Lord, that you use others, our churches, sermons, books, radio broadcasts, music, your Word and circumstances to remind us of who you are and your purpose in our lives.
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
—John 11: 38-40
8. Lazarus’s death shows me we need to pray and thank God out loud.
Can you imagine Jesus needing to talk with God? What an example for the rest of us! Does God require our prayers, our comments or our pleading? Doesn't he know all things? Doesn't he know what we need before we even say it or think it? Yes, of course he does, but he also wants us to talk with him, ask things of him, thank him and acknowledge him. We pray not to strengthen God or have him believe in us, but we pray to strengthen and help us believe in him.
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
—John 11:41-42
9. Lazarus's resurrection produces faith.
When we wait on God and allow his best, it can produce faith not only in ourselves but also in those around us who see our lives. How do you handle stress, frustration and aggravation? How do you make decisions? Do you trust God fully?
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.
—John 11: 45