Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead

Their brother Lazarus was very sick, so Mary and Martha, his sisters, sent word to Jesus and asked for his help. When Jesus had received the message, he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the son of God may be glorified through it.”

Jesus loved Mary and her family very much, but he did not leave until two more days had passed. He said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

But the disciples answered, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and you want to go back there?”

“Lazarus has died,” said Jesus. “And I am glad for you that I was not there that you may believe. Let us go to him.”

When Jesus and disciples arrived they learned that Lazarus had been in his tomb for four days. Martha went out to meet Jesus, but Mary stayed home with the people who had come to comfort them after their brother’s death.

When Martha saw Jesus she said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

“Your brother will rise,” Jesus said to her.

“I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus said, “whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”

Martha went to bring her sister back to see Jesus. The visitors at the house came along with her. When she saw Jesus, with tears in her eyes she said the same thing he sister had. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When everyone was in front of the tomb, Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

“Lord,” said Martha, “by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.”

“Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” The stone was moved so that the entrance to the tomb was no longer blocked. Jesus looked toward heaven and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me.”

Then he said with a loud, commanding voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus came out, alive and well.