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The Raising of Lazarus
This chapter is based on Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-44.
Among the most faithful of Christ’s disciples was Lazarus of
Bethany, and the Savior loved him greatly. Christ performed the
greatest of His miracles for Lazarus. The Savior loves all the human
family, but He is bound to some by especially tender associations.
At the home of Lazarus, Jesus often found rest. The Savior had
no home of His own. When tired, thirsting for human fellowship,
He had been glad to escape to this peaceful household. Here He
found a sincere welcome and pure, holy friendship.
As the crowds followed Christ through the open fields, He un-
folded to them the beauties of the natural world. But they were slow
to understand, and in the home at Bethany Christ found rest from
the weary conflict of public life. Here He did not need to speak in
parables.
As Christ gave His wonderful lessons, Mary sat at His feet, a
reverent and devoted listener. On one occasion, Christ’s first visit to
Bethany, Martha was preparing the meal. She went to Jesus, saying,
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore tell her to help me.” Jesus answered her with mild and
patient words: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about
many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that
good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Mary was storing
in her mind words from the Savior’s lips, words more precious to
her than earth’s most costly jewels.
Martha needed less anxiety for the things that pass away and
more for those things that endure forever. The cause of Christ needs
Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work, but let them first sit
with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence and energy be sanctified
by the grace of Christ.
Sorrow entered the peaceful home where Jesus had rested.
Lazarus was struck with sudden illness, and his sisters sent a mes-
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