Jesus Raises Lazarus

This is based on the Bible but not exactly the Bible. Do you have close friends? Friends that you enjoy spending time with. Friends that you can feel comfortable and relaxed with. This week we will be talking about some dear friends of Jesus who were a family. Their names were Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Jesus and His disciples would visit this family often. They lived in a town called Bethany, which was only about two miles outside of Jerusalem. Unfortunately Bethany has become a very dangerous area for Jesus to visit because it is too close to the chief priests and the Pharisees in Jerusalem who hate Jesus and want to put Him to death. After a wonderful visit with Lazarus, Mary and Martha, Jesus and His disciples must leave. They happily waved good bye not realizing that the next time they see Jesus they will greet Him with terrible tears of grief. But Jesus is a good friend and will comfort them and change their tears into smiles of joy. You may have lots of friends or very few. Sometimes you may even feel like you have no friends at all. But, you will always have a friend in Jesus. The best friend you can ever have is Jesus. Speaking of Jesus' visit to Lazarus, Mary and Martha's home the Bible says:   ...as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.   The good news is that Jesus would like to be welcomed into everyone's home. He wants to come into your life and have a good time with you. If you have not done it yet, prayerfully ask Jesus to come into your life and you will welcome in the best friend you will ever have. Luke 10:38 (NASB)

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