Lead Me to the Cross: I am the Resurrection and the Life

Narration Key Statements:

Bethany - house of anguish near the Mt. of Olives

John 11:3 NKJV

Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

John 11:4 NKJV

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Key Statements:

John 11:14 NKJV

Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.

John 11:

J

Upon hearing of Lazarus’ condition, Jesus made a decision to remain in His current location for two more days. According to Jesus was “beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first.” This location was named “Bethany beyond the Jordan,” and was 120 miles from Bethany which would be a six days journey. When Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany outside of Jerusalem Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. So, even if Jesus had left Bethany beyond the Jordan immediately He would not have made it to Bethany outside of Jerusalem before Lazarus died.

John 11:20–23 NKJV

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “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.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

John 11:20-

John 11:24–25 NKJV

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

John 11:25–26 NKJV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:35 NKJV

Jesus wept.

Take Away the Stone

Practical reasons for removing the stone:

Remove the impediments!

1. Bystanders would be able to see the dead body.

2. Lazarus would be able leave the tomb.

A clear view as to whether a true body or ghost

Spiritual reasons for removing the stone:

Remove impediments hindering life.

Prepare for a miracle.

Lazarus, Come Forth

Practical reasons for commanding Lazarus to come forth:

The loud voice signified the greatness of the work.

The loud voice signified the power employed.

The loud voice indicated that this was an attack on the gates of death.

Spiritual reasons for commanding Lazarus to come forth:

Authority over death.

Power to bring life by the word of the gospel.

Power to bring down strongholds.

Loose Him, and Let Him Go

Lazarus was bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

Practical reasons for commanding that the graveclothes come off:

Lazarus is no longer dead. He does not need graveclothes.

Spiritual reasons for commanding that the graveclothes come off:

Old things are passed away, behold all things become new.

Freedom from the past

New opportunities