that " we would live for ever" if we believe... then he returned after death proving his point.

i have always enjoyed the biblical account of the time when Jesus resurrected his friend lazarus. lazarus was the brother of martha and mary, his resurrection was one of the outstanding miracles performed by Jesus Christ. (john 11:1,2) it is very evident that jesus had a great love for this family who lived in bethany, about two miles from jerusalem. he would visit often at their home. (john 10:38-42) the two sisters sent word to Jesus, who was at that time across the jordan river, that their brother lazarus was very sick. doubtless they entertained the hope that Jesus would cure him. (john 11:3,21,32)however, instead of going to bethany immediately, or curing lazarus from a disance, as in the case of the manservent of an army officer (matthew 8:5-13), Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. upon his arrival in the vicinity of bethany he was met by martha and then by mary. lazarus had expired and had been dead for four days.-john 11:6,17,20,30-32. when speaking to martha, Jesus took the occasion to stress the resurrection. (john 11:23-27) he was soon to give added meaning to his words. upon arriving at the tomb or cave where lazarus was interred, Christ ordered that the stone sealing its entrance be taken away. then in prayer to his heavenly Father, Jesus showed that one reason these events were taking place was "in order that they (the crowd present)might believe that you sent me forth." (john 11:38-42)Jesus then called the dead lazarus out of the tomb, and he emerged, undoubtedly to the astonishment and joy of those present.-john 11:43,44. the miracle moved many to put faith in Jesus, but it also caused the chief priests and pharisees to plot his death. the anger of the chief priests was further aroused when a great crowd of jews came to see not only Jesus but also the resurrected lazarus. because of lazarus, many jews were putting faith in Jesus, and so the chief priests took counsel to kill not only Jesus but to kill lazarus also. (john 11:46-53;12:1,11)however, there is no biblical evidence to the effect that these religious foes carried out their evil plans against lazarus. john's account of the resurrection of lazarus has been assailed by some critics of the bible. they point to the silence of the other gospel accounts regarding this event. a consideration of the various gospels show, however, that even writers of the synoptic gospels did not each recount every deed of Jesus. for example, only luke reported the raising of the son of the widow of nain.(luke 7:11-15)john did not customarily repeat what others had recorded. the resurrection of lazarus is a notable instance of this. the miracle of lazarus' resurrection served well as part of Jesus' ministry, both to illustrate the power of the Son of God and to increase faith in him and the resurrection.(john 11:4,41,42)it evidently ocurred near the beginning of the year 33 c.e. the scriptures do not furnish information as to the circumstances, place, or time of lazarus' death after his resurrection. this account of the resurrection is one of nine the bible mentions. these are told to us so mankind can have the hope of seeing their loved ones in the future. one day in the future, on the earthly paradise promised in God's Word, mankind will witness the return of untold millions if not billions that fell asleep in death.(john 5:28,29)what a wonderful promise! this is what has sustained me through many trials and dark moments. there is nothing harder than to have to part from a loved one because of death. the day will come though when tears of sorrow will transform into tears of joy. when obedient mankind will witness the resurrection on a global and world-wide scale. then we can finally say: "death is swallowed up forever," (1corinthians 15:54)