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Lesson Eight<\/p>\n
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\u201cLAZARUS, COME FORTH\u201d<\/p>\n
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Memory Verse: John 5:28, 29<\/a><\/strong> Most have heard of <\/span>The Wizard of Oz<\/span><\/i>, either the book or the movie. It tells the story of Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl, who was swept by a tornado into a new and different land. She joins three other friends and they go on an adventure in search of a wizard who apparently will supply whatever they are lacking. Dorothy wore ruby slippers that mysteriously found their way to her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n They arrived in Oz, discovered the wizard and while he was able to supply the needs of her traveling companions, he could do nothing for Dorothy, whose only desire was to be sent home. It was then she was told that she could always go home; the power was with her all along; all she needed to do was to tap the heels of her ruby slippers three times.<\/span><\/p>\n All she needed to do was to tap the heels of her ruby slippers three times.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Some have created an entire transformational psychology from this notion of the ruby slippers\u2014the idea that we always have the power to do whatever we need to do. Perhaps those in the story of Lazarus might have benefited from a similar idea\u2014not a psychological perspective, but a spiritual one.<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus waited outside Bethany, where first Martha, and then Mary came to see Him. With Mary came an entire entourage of mourners, both genuine and professional, who wept and wailed for the loss of Lazarus. Jesus cried too, but not for the same reason (read Digging Deeper).<\/span><\/p>\n Amazingly, it occurred to no one\u2014not the mourners, the family, or the disciples\u2014to ask Jesus to resurrect Lazarus. Not only did no one ask, but Martha even interfered (John 11:39). Jesus had previously raised two people from the dead, both times with disciples as witnesses. If they didn\u2019t believe that, surely they could remember Elijah and Elisha, both who raised someone from the dead. Yet here was the Creator and Authority of Heaven\u2014complete and absolute power in their midst\u2014but they didn\u2019t recognize Him.<\/span><\/p>\n Here was the Creator and Authority of Heaven\u2014complete and absolute power in the midst\u2014but they didn\u2019t recognize Him.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Dorothy had to be told about the slippers. She had walked and danced all the way to Oz in slippers that could have taken her home, but she didn\u2019t realize it until someone told her. There are those around us living life similarly. They bounce, trudge, plod, or race through life not realizing that Jesus is readily available to lift their burdens and ease their pain. Someone has to tell them.<\/span><\/p>\n We also need to be reminded that Jesus is with us\u2014full power, full authority, and fully willing to be an integral part of our lives. Let\u2019s not forget to tap into His Power today and be renewed.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial url=”https:\/\/mybiblefirst.org\/?module=products&func=product&id3=177″ url_new_window=”on” portrait_url=”https:\/\/startingwithjesus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Renew2-IG1-scaled.jpg” quote_icon_color=”rgba(55,116,122,0.71)” quote_icon_background_color=”#eaeaea” font_icon=”||divi||400″ portrait_width=”290px” portrait_height=”290px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” author_font=”Playfair Display|800|||||||” author_font_size=”29px” author_line_height=”1.2em” position_font=”Abhaya Libre||||||||” position_font_size=”1px” position_line_height=”1em” background_color=”rgba(26,100,104,0.08)” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” animation_style=”slide” link_option_url=”https:\/\/mybiblefirst.org\/?module=products&func=product&id3=177″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_radii_portrait=”on|198px|198px|198px|198px” border_color_all_portrait=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” border_style_all_portrait=”none” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Further Study: John 11:1-44<\/a>; The Desire of Ages<\/i>, pp. 524-536<\/a>; The Bible Story<\/em>, vol. 9, pp. 22-27<\/strong><\/p>\n