Learning From the Savior Saturday

Scripture of the Day:

John 11:1-45

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister ^aMartha.

2 (^aIt was that Mary which anointed the ^bLord with ^cointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the ^aglory of God, that the Son of God might be ^bglorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man ^awalk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may ^aawake him out of sleep.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall ^ado well.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may ^abelieve; nevertheless let us go unto him.

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with ^ahim.

17 Then when Jesus came, ^ahe found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen ^afurlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will ^agive it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the ^aresurrection, and the ^blife: he that ^cbelieveth in me, though he were ^ddead, yet shall he ^elive:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never ^adie. Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the ^aSon of God, which should come into the world.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he ^aloved him!

37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a ^astone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the ^aglory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I ^athank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast ^asent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, ^aLazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was ^adead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a ^bnapkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

Historical Background:

One of my favorite things about the Savior is that He is a very personal Savior who loves us a great deal. The story of Lazarus and his sisters demonstrates that a great deal. Lazarus and his family show up in a couple of stories in the Savior's life because of the relationship that they had. This story from John chapter 11 describes what happens during the time of the death of Lazarus up until after the Savior raises him from the dead. I love the concern and support that the Savior shows to Mary and Martha as they struggle with the loss of their brother.

For more information-

Gospel Art Picture Kit: Jesus Raising Lazarus From the Dead

Gospel Principles Outlined:

1) The Savior has great power, even over death.

2) The Savior loves those who follow Him as dear friends.

3) We can receive comfort from the Lord in our adversities.

4) We must trust that the Lord will bless us regardless of our circumstances.

5) The Savior will provide many unique means for us to share the gospel.

What I Learned Today:

For whatever reason, I am especially moved by the relationship that the Savior has with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Many people struggle to understand the very personal and tender relationship that they can have with the Savior because we don't think about His stories in that way. Also, we often struggle with the Lord's timing in succoring us during our adversities. In this story, there is never a doubt that the Savior loves Lazarus, Mary and Martha, but he does not immediately remove the from adversity. Instead of healing Lazarus immediately, Lazarus is allowed to pass away because there was a greater purpose to the adversity of that family. We must trust and show complete faith in the Savior so that we can receive the blessings of the gospel in their completeness. He will heal us and bless us. I know that to be true because of the personal and tender ways that He has healed me through adversity and I look forward to continuing to receive the blessings of salvation by His hand.

Additional Resources-

"Five Marks of the Divinity of Jesus Christ" by President Ezra Taft Benson

Things I Will Implement:

I just need to trust the Lord in a more complete and personal way. I know that he has a plan for my life and has prepared the way for me to succeed. I simply need to walk down that path. Trusting in the things that He has promised to me. They will come. I know... Because He has answered so many times before. I will develop a more personal and intimate trust in the Savior like Lazarus, Mary and Martha.