Lazarus, Come Forth! — Praising the Lord of Life
Month 7: The Miracle Worker · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 11:38-44
38 Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.” 40 Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
Memory Verse
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””— John 11:25-26 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Song of Solomon 5-7
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (A poetic celebration of love that has delighted readers for thousands of years.)The Heart of It
Today we worship together by watching the high point of the whole chapter. Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha even warned, "Lord, by this time there is a stench." But Jesus said, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" They rolled the stone away. Jesus lifted His eyes and prayed out loud. He didn't need to pray out loud. He did it so the crowd "may believe that You sent Me." Then He "cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!'" And out of the tomb walked a living man, still bound in grave clothes. Jesus said, "Loose him, and let him go." Death let go of its grip at the sound of Jesus' voice. This is family-worship gold. Our God speaks, and even the grave obeys.
Pause and let your family feel the wonder of it. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." That is our memory verse this week. And here He proved it, right in front of weeping mourners and skeptical critics. He didn't just talk about resurrection. He performed it. And remember, raising Lazarus would cost Jesus dearly. It set in motion the plot to put Him to death. He gave life to His friend, knowing it would lead toward His own cross. That is the heart of our Lord. He pours out life at the price of His own. Today we don't just learn the story. We praise the One in it. Lift your voices. Thank Him. Worship the Lord of life who calls the dead by name and brings them out alive.
Around the Table
Jesus called His dead friend's name. "Lazarus, come out!" And Lazarus walked right out, alive! Jesus is the strongest, kindest Friend of all.
Let's do it: March around the room like Lazarus walking out of the tomb. Then clap and sing "Thank You, Jesus!" together.
Jesus prayed out loud so the people would believe. Then He proved His words true. Why do you think Jesus showed His power right in front of so many witnesses?
Let's talk: What is one thing about Jesus that makes you want to praise Him today? Let's each say one out loud.
Jesus gave Lazarus life, knowing it would lead to His own death. He raised one man at the cost of His own life. It was a preview of the cross ().
Let's go deeper: How does it change your worship to know Jesus poured out life for others, even at great cost to Himself?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could pick one worship song or one Bible verse to celebrate that "Jesus is the Lord of life," which would it be? And can we sing it or say it right now together?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Critics ask why this huge miracle isn't in the other Gospels. But John was an eyewitness, and he includes details the others didn't. Raising Lazarus so publicly is exactly what John says triggered the plot against Jesus (). Different writers highlight different events. That is how genuine, independent testimony works. It is not collusion.
For Dad · Go Deeper
For family worship, your aim today isn't just to explain the miracle. It is to lead your household into a response. Notice the structure of the scene. Jesus prays aloud "because of the people," then He acts, and the result is faith and, in Mary and Martha's home, worship. Worship in your family follows the same arc. We hear who God is. We see what He's done. And we respond with praise, prayer, and trust. Don't let this evening end as merely an interesting Bible lesson. Linger. Sing something. Pray together with thanksgiving. Let your children watch you, their father, genuinely move from information to adoration. One more thing is worth naming for yourself. Jesus' loud, public prayer reminds us that He wants faith to be strengthened, not left to chance. He acts so that people "may believe." Lead your family in a worship that expects God to meet them. And model the unhurried delight of a man who actually enjoys his God.
Draws on: D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary).
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of life. You called Lazarus out of the grave. And one day You will call us too. We worship You. You are strong enough to defeat death. And You are loving enough to give Your own life for us. Receive our family's praise tonight. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus speaks, and even the grave obeys. So today our family lifts up praise to the Lord of life.