Text: JOHN 11:23
WHO IS “HE” IN THE THEME REFERRING TO?
Lazarus the Brother of Mary and Matha.
Lazarus that died, buried for four days and was brought back to life by Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LAZARUS? The name “Lazarus” comes from the Hebrew name “Eleazar” (אלעזר), meaning “God has helped.
HOW OLD WAS LAZARUS AND WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT HIM?
According to Saint Epifanios, Bishop of Konstantia in Cyprus, righteous Lazarus was thirty years old at the time he died, buried and brought back to life by Jesus Christ.
Lazarus was a man who showed godliness and integrity. He practiced charity and believed in Christ as Savior. He was not a poor Lazarus that we have in Luke 16:19-31 as a Begger. He was a childhood friend of Jesus Christ. They grew up together in Nazareth close to Bethany.
WHAT WAS THE POSITION OF LAZARUS IN THE FAMILY?
Brother of Mary and Matha
WHAT’S THE POSITION OF BROTHER IN THE FAMILY?
He was a Leader or head of the family, the pillar of the family, Bread winner, the provider, the man every member of the family looked up to, the counselor, adviser, encourager, supporter, the battle axe of the family.
The entire community looked up to him. His Church members used to benefit from his act of charity because he was rich.
All these tell us how painful the demise of Lazarus was for the family, his church and the entire people of Bethany and Nazareth where Lazarus grew up together as childhood friend of Jesus Christ.
No wonder that people gathered together to see how Jesus would cry for the demise of his childhood friend Lazarus.
No wonder John 11verse 35 says “Jesus wept”.
Why did Jesus Christ weep?: He wept because he has sympathy and empathy for the great loss that have happened to the family, Church and entire Community of Bethany and Nazareth where Lazarus used to extend his act of generosity and charity to.
WHAT DO WE WANT TO BRING OUT FROM THIS STORY AS LESSONS?
Jesus Christ is Truly life and resurrection. No one can bring any one back to life here and in eternity except Jesus Christ.
Believe in Jesus Christ, there is hope for you here and life after here.
In Jesus Christ there is better life and better hope.
In believing in him, there is hope that what ever have died in your life, families, Church and the nation will rise again.
WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT THAT HAVE DIED AND NEED JESUS CHRIST TO BRING BACK TO LIFE?
Our spiritual lives need Jesus to bring it back to life.
Our families union with our wives , children, relatives need Jesus to bring it back to life.
Our careers, businesses, professions need Jesus to bring them back to life.
Our financial life too – Expenses are more than the income, it needs Jesus Christ’s intervention to bring it back to life.
Our nation economy will rise again if we can have faith and call on Jesus to heal our land. God says in 2Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name can repent from their sins and humble themselves and seek my face and pray to me I will hear and will heal their land”.
Methodist Church Nigeria will rise again if we can allow God to intervene in all our challenges.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR RISING AGAIN ?
Faith in God
Putting faith in action
Taking necessary steps as guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
I prophesy in to your life, you will rise again, your business will rise again, Methodist Church will rise again, Nigeria will rise again.
In every area that you are looking to God for intervention, receive positive answers in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen
MESSAGE PREACHED BY THE VERY REV OSHIN BAMIDELE, PROTO PRESBYTER, MCN TRINITY COUNCIL AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING, NECO OF MEN’ S FELLOWSHIP OF METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA HOSTED BY TRINITY CHURCH COUNCIL
VENUE: METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA, KETU CIRCUIT
DATE : 21ST MARCH 2025
