If you've never heard this story before, it might be the most human moment in all of Scripture.
The story of Lazarus in the Bible, found in John 11, is the account of Jesus raising his close friend Lazarus from the dead, four days after Lazarus had already been buried. It's one of the most dramatic miracles in the New Testament, and according to Christians, one of the clearest previews of what Easter is really about: that Jesus has power over death itself.
Who Was Lazarus in the Bible?
Lazarus was a man who lived in Bethany, a small town near Jerusalem, with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. The Gospel of John describes Lazarus as someone Jesus deeply loved. He wasn't a stranger or an acquaintance, but a close friend.
That friendship is what makes what happened next so striking.
What Happened to Lazarus?
While Jesus was traveling, Lazarus became seriously ill. His sisters sent an urgent message: "Lord, the one you love is sick" (John 11:3). They were sure Jesus would drop everything and come.
But he didn't.
Instead, Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. By the time he finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. He had already been buried and mourned.
When Martha heard Jesus was on his way, she ran out to meet him on the road. Her words were raw and honest: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).
Maybe you've felt something like that. You hoped. You prayed. And it felt like God was late or not even paying attention at all.
What Did Jesus Say to Martha?
Jesus didn't defend himself or explain the delay. Instead, he said something that stopped Martha in her tracks:
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25-26)
Not "I can help" or "I'll try." Not "maybe someday." He was talking about a present reality: "I am."
Mary arrived, falling at his feet in tears. The crowd around them was also weeping. And then came what is arguably one of the most quietly powerful verses in the entire Bible:
"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)
At two words long, it's not only the shortest verse in Scripture, but also one of the most important. The God of the universe, standing in the middle of a grieving crowd, was crying. It wasn't because he didn't know what was about to happen, but because he was with each person in their pain and sorrow.
How Did Jesus Raise Lazarus from the Dead?
They led Jesus to the tomb, a cave sealed with a stone. He told them to roll the stone away. Martha hesitated, saying, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days" (John 11:39). She wasn't wrong. Four days meant the reality of death had begun to take its toll on Lazarus' body.
Jesus prayed. Then he called out in a loud voice:
"Lazarus, come out!" (John 11:43)
And Lazarus walked out, still wrapped in his burial cloths, blinking in the light.
Why Does the Story of Lazarus Matter for Easter?
Let's be honest. Most of us could use some good news right now.
Not "small talk" good news. Not "that's nice" good news. Real good news: the kind that lifts your spirit, gives you hope, and reminds you things aren't finished yet.
Life has a way of wearing us down. The headlines are heavy, the stress is constant, and the losses are real. Sometimes it feels like bad news is everywhere.
That's why this story matters so much.
The raising of Lazarus wasn't just a miracle. It was a message — a signal from Jesus to everyone watching, that said: This is who I am. This is what I came to do. I step into the mess and brokenness, to bring life where there is death. Hope where there is despair. New beginnings where things seem over.
Lazarus coming back to life was a preview. It was a picture of what Jesus would do just days later through his own resurrection on Easter Sunday. And according to the people who have staked their lives on it for 2,000 years, it's what he still does today — in raising broken hearts, restoring wounded souls, and beginning new stories where old ones seemed finished.
That's the good news of Easter. Not that life is easy or that pain disappears overnight. But that Jesus is stronger than death. Stronger than failure. Stronger than fear. Stronger than anything that feels final.
Come Hear the Story for Yourself
If you're tired, discouraged, or carrying things no one else sees, you're not alone. And you're invited.
This Easter at Chase Oaks, we're celebrating the greatest good news the world has ever heard. Whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're just starting to wonder if any of this is real, there's a place for you here. Find Easter service times and locations for all 13 of our family-friendly services here.