Children’s Sermon

John 11:1-45

Lazarus’ Story

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John 11:1-45
Lazarus’ Story

By Dell Smith Klein

SPECIAL VERSE: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” John 1:25 WEB

OBJECT: A wilted dead flower. A beautiful, fresh flower in a vase.

SERMON

(Show the dead flower) What is wrong with this flower? (Give children time to respond) It is dead isn’t it? It’s been cut away from the plant and it has died. (Show the beautiful fresh flower) Look at this fresh and beautiful flower. But, look! (Take flower out of vase to show that it has been cut.) This flower has been cut off from the plant, too. What will happen to it? (Allow children to respond) Yes, it will die, too won’t it?

Who has power to bring life back into something that is dead? (Let children respond.) Jesus has power over death. During his lifetime, he brought several dead people back to life. Let’s look at Lazarus’ story from the Holy Bible.

Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, lived in a village called Bethany. When Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus to come visit, but Jesus didn’t go right away. By the time Jesus got to Bethany, he found mourners gathered around Lazarus’ home. It was a custom of the Jewish people that when someone died, people would come and visit the family. It was their way of showing sympathy to the family. Because there were so many people at Lazarus’ home, Jesus sent word to Lazarus’ sisters that he was waiting nearby.

Both Mary and Martha came out to talk with Jesus. Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would be raised up. But Martha didn’t understand. She thought Jesus was talking about some far future time when people would all be raised from the dead to live again. Later Mary came out to see Jesus. Mary complained that Lazarus wouldn’t have died if only Jesus had visited sooner.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” (John 11:25 WEB) Jesus asked Mary and Martha if they really believed his words. Jesus wept over the death of his friend, and while the people watched, Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth.” And, Lazarus came out of the tomb.

Lazarus had been dead, but Jesus brought him back to life. That reminds us of another miracle that we know that is true, too. After Jesus died on the cross, he was buried and a big stone rolled in front of the tomb where he was placed. But, Jesus rose from death. And today, Jesus lives.

PRAYER:

Dear God, Lazarus’ story is so amazing. We have never seen a person made alive after death, but we know that Jesus has power to bring life back into things that have died. He brought Lazarus back to life. And Jesus also rose from the dead after he was crucified. Thank you for the Holy Bible that teaches us about Jesus’ amazing miracles. Amen.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible