There are a few things a bit unusual about the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. First of all, Jesus instead of going to see him as soon as he hears Lazarus is sick, Jesus waits to go until Lazarus has died! Second is the awkward comment Martha makes concerning the unpleasant smell of a dead human body. We don’t like Jesus anywhere near that kind of stuff. Finally, there’s the whole issue with Jesus crying. Why is he sad? He knows what’s going to happen for goodness sake! Lazarus is going to be alive in just a minute or two so there is no reason for tears. Or is there?
Why Does Jesus Cry?
Jesus is sad because before him he sees the devastating consequences of sin. A soul and body that were created by God to be united forever have been ripped apart by death. He cries because God’s beautiful creation has been replaced by tears, sorrow, and stench. But Jesus does not leave Lazarus there. He raises Lazarus and restores that little bit of creation back to what God had wanted it to be. And later on, God would do the same for Jesus. Through his resurrection, we have the promise that one day the whole world will see that kind of restoration, and Jesus will be standing outside your grave calling your name.
Activities for the Story of Lazarus in the Bible
Explore this wonderful story of resurrection with your students this year using this Bible curriculum for second grade. You’ll find resources for this story and so many more like creation, the exodus, the Christmas story, and Holy Week. Each lesson comes with worksheets, coloring pages and more. Also included in this curriculum are year long memory activities and flip books celebrating special days in the church year. It will be a great addition to your lesson plans!
If you are looking for more ready-to-use resources for your students, check them out in my store.
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Looking for more related articles from other authors? Check out:
Lazarus Sunday School Activities and Resources
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The Story of Lazarus in the Bible Crafts for Children’s Ministry
