Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead

yammycat

Lazarus was a good man obviously so would have earned his rightful place in heaven, could his being risen be considered an improvement of his circumstances in any way.

Did Jesus use lazarus to show the power of God and was this in any way unfair on Lazarus, would it have been a better way to show the power of God by performing other miracles ?

James G

Yeah, I think Jesus was a little unfair there. Lazarus was a good man and didn't deserve to be forced from the kingdom. Damn you, Jesus!

Soul Winner

Good question. But he wasn't worthy of the kingdom any more than anyone else. In order to be worthy of it one would have to be perfect, an attribute I doubt Lazarus (like everyone else) enjoyed even though he mightn't have been a particularly evil person. In any case the reason is given by Jesus Himself:

"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" John 11 v 40

To raise someone from the dead is a pretty impressive show of power no matter what way you want to dice it. It was actually this event which pushed the Jewish leaders over the edge in relation to Jesus because it was this event that was starting to convert many of the Jews who were spying on Jesus on behalf of them. You can understand their frustration. How would you feel if someone like Jesus was going around proving you were wrong about God by showing that God was with Him because of the many signs and wonders that accompanied His ministry? He must be gotten rid of as soon as, little did they know that they were fulfilling the prophecy, even though from their point of view they were committing an evil act.

alex73

The Gospels are clear on the raising of Lazarous. His raising from the dead (aswell as the girls raising) were signs to Jesus's followers of his power as Son of God.

yammycat

alex73 wrote: »

The Gospels are clear on the raising of Lazarous. His raising from the dead (aswell as the girls raising) were signs to Jesus's followers of his power as Son of God.

Well if thats the case it's a bit unfair on lazarus, to be in paradise and find himself back on earth, perhaps a sign not involving negative effects for a third party would have been more appropriate.

Soul Winner

yammycat wrote: »

Well if thats the case it's a bit unfair on lazarus, to be in paradise and find himself back on earth, perhaps a sign not involving negative effects for a third party would have been more appropriate.

Lazarus was a faithful servant of God. I'm sure he wouldn't have minded vacating paradise for a few years if he knew that the doing of it would have glorified his Lord and Master. I wouldn't mind doing it I can tell you that. And isn't that what Jesus is supposed to have done for us as well? What an honor to be in a position to do likewise for the sake of His glory. Maybe that's why Jesus wept about Lazarus. He knew how much of a tough call it was to take such a step down from such a glorious position on high.

Fanny Cradock

yammycat wrote: »

Lazarus was a good man obviously so would have earned his rightful place in heaven, could his being risen be considered an improvement of his circumstances in any way.

Did Jesus use lazarus to show the power of God and was this in any way unfair on Lazarus, would it have been a better way to show the power of God by performing other miracles ?

Who said anything about heaven?

georgieporgy

yammycat wrote: »

Well if thats the case it's a bit unfair on lazarus, to be in paradise and find himself back on earth, perhaps a sign not involving negative effects for a third party would have been more appropriate.

Lazarus won't have been in paradise as that particular venue hadn't opened yet. He would at best have had to wait in "Abraham's bosom" along with all the others (of the just) who died prior to Calvary.

JimiTime

As much as people tend to declare what happens after you die, I really don't believe anyone has a difinitive answer. Some believe you ping to heaven or hell, others to another spirit realm until the day of judgement etc.

I personally believe the dead are concious of nothing until Gods day of reckoning, when the resurrection occurs and those sleeping (in death) will be raised . Some to everlasting life, others to everlasting destruction.

So in the case of Lazarus, I don't believe he was floating about anywhere else. I believe he was dead, and conscious of nothing. So in relation to your question, for Lazarus, it was probably like simply waking up from a deep sleep. Though he probably felt a bit stiff:)

Seaneh

yeah. I'd be of the thinking of Jimi. Also, Lazarus had a family. Maybe they couldn't have survived without him to provide for him? Maybe they needed him to be alive so as to not starve and be homeless.

georgieporgy

I get my info from the bible. What are you guys reading?

JimiTime

georgieporgy wrote: »

I get my info from the bible. What are you guys reading?

Same book my friend, just not via Rome:) Though its probably a topic worthy of discussion again.

Ghost Buster

When Willow and the Scoobies brought Buffy back from the dead she was really annoyed. I feel for Lazarous.

strobe

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Who said anything about heaven?

Paradise - Heaven. meh. It is a description.

strobe

JimiTime wrote: »

As much as people tend to declare what happens after you die, I really don't believe anyone has a difinitive answer. Some believe you ping to heaven or hell, others to another spirit realm until the day of judgement etc.

I personally believe the dead are concious of nothing until Gods day of reckoning, when the resurrection occurs and those sleeping (in death) will be raised . Some to everlasting life, others to everlasting destruction.

So in the case of Lazarus, I don't believe he was floating about anywhere else. I believe he was dead, and conscious of nothing. So in relation to your question, for Lazarus, it was probably like simply waking up from a deep sleep. Though he probably felt a bit stiff:)

Didn't Jesus go somewhere after he mortally died and preach to sinners in some place?

Does that not suggest there is a spirit realm? A kind of 'pit stop' for souls? (Hades? In the Greek....)

Fanny Cradock

strobe wrote: »

Paradise - Heaven. meh. It is a description.

They are distinct places. Meh?

Cawk n bawllz

alex73 wrote: »

The Gospels are clear on the raising of Lazarous. His raising from the dead (aswell as the girls raising) were signs to Jesus's followers of his power as Son of God.

Okay... so Jesus wouldn't turn water to wine coz he refused to be tempted by the devil but he will bring people back to life just to woo a crowd?

Also when Lazarus came back to life were the apostles ready with pen and notebook to write down what Lazarus saw while dead?

marty1985

Fanny, could you elaborate on the paradise and heaven distinction for me because this has confused me before. I have often used the terms interchangeably, so I would like to have it explained to me. Thanks

Fanny Cradock

If you don't mind, I think I'll withdraw my statement. I'm not quite sure what to think on this as it seems to me there is an argument to be made either way. Perhaps somebody else wants to make the case?

georgieporgy

here's what they think in Canada.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_deat.htm