April 2nd.—Raising of Lazarus.
To read—St. John xi. 32-45. Golden Text—Ver. 25.
Gospel began with miracle at joyful family gathering. To-day's lesson tells of sad gathering of family and friends at a funeral. He would again show divine power.
I. Death Triumphant (32-37). Scene of sorrow at Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem. Little family, Lazarus and two sisters. Had received Christ before (St. Luke x. 38). Now the breadwinner has been taken ill and dies. Sickness, death, bereavement, all causes of sorrow and sadness. Had sent for Christ, but He had delayed to come (ver. 6). At last He arrives, but body had been buried. Martha meets Him first (ver. 21), then Mary. Both utter same reproach—had He been in time, their brother need not have died. Their faith weak. Thought of Him as Good Physician—did not fully realise His almighty power. How did this affect Christ? He was troubled, He sighed, He wept. His best friends not yet learned Who He was and what His power. To them sorrow, suffering, death, seemed to have triumphed. Was it so?
II. Death Vanquished (38-44). Scene of joy. A Conqueror of death is there. See actions of the different people. Christ commands removal of stone. Martha remonstrates—the body begun to corrupt—four days dead (no coffin, only wrapped in linen). Showed unbelief, after Christ's words (ver. 23). Mary watches in silence, trusting in Christ to do right. Jews, expectant, roll away the stone as bidden. Then Christ speaks; thanks God for hearing His prayer; cries aloud to Lazarus. The dead man comes forth, is released from grave-clothes, and restored to his home. Death is swallowed up in victory.
Result. Many of the Jews believed. God's glory is manifested.
Lessons. 1. Christ a loving Friend. Can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
2. Christ a living Saviour. Taught Martha, comforted Mary, restored Lazarus. Gives eternal life.
Faithful unto Death
In the excavations made at the buried city of Pompeii, the remains of a Roman soldier were found at one of the gates. Embedded in the once molten lava which swept down upon the doomed city was found the skeleton of the soldier whose post of duty was at the gate, still grasping a sword in its bony fingers. When the panic came upon the city, and those who could made good their escape, he had remained faithful to his sense of duty, and with resolute courage faced a fearful death. The Christian soldier can face death with equal courage, for he has obtained victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ his Lord.