Come Out, Lazarus!

Stories of Jesus  ·  John 11:32–35, 43–44

Jesus has power over everything — even death.

Have you ever cried because you were sad? Jesus cried too. He knows exactly what sadness feels like. Today we hear about the time Jesus did something no one had ever seen before. And He did it because He loved His friend.

Jesus has a very dear friend named Lazarus. Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus: 'Our brother is sick. Please come!'

But Lazarus dies before Jesus arrives.

When Jesus gets there, everyone is crying. Mary falls at His feet, weeping.

Jesus, the Son of God, the one who made the whole universe, begins to cry too.

He loves Lazarus. He knows sadness from the inside.

They take Jesus to the tomb. A cave with a stone rolled across the opening.

'Roll the stone away,' Jesus says.

They roll it.

Jesus looks up to heaven. He prays out loud. He thanks God and asks God to show everyone His power.

Then He calls out, loud and clear:

'Lazarus! Come out!'

Silence.

Then movement inside the dark cave.

Lazarus walks out, alive.

The crowd is speechless.

Can you stand up tall and take a big step like Lazarus walking out? Go on!

Jesus had power over death itself. And He used it for love.

Prayer

Let's pray. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you that nothing is
too hard for you.
Thank you for power and love.
We love you!
Amen.

Listen to this devotional with audio narration and illustrations in the Seedling: Bible Stories app — short devotionals for Christian families with children ages 2–5.