A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          A FAVOURED HOME PART VI 

"I, Thomas, am one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.... I have been travelling with Him throughout the country.... Whenever we are in Bethany we will visit the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.... We love to spend time with them.... A few days ago Jesus received a message from Martha and Mary... He told us that Lazarus had become ill.... We looked at Jesus.... Was He planning to travel back to Bethany?.... That might not be safe to do.... But He did not say anything.... Instead, we stayed where we were two more days.... He then told us to get ready to go back to Judea.... We were somewhat worried about returning there.... But Jesus then told us that He would be waking up Lazarus.... We though Jesus meant he was recovering from his illness... However, Jesus told us he had, in fact, died.... Jesus told us as well that He was glad we were not there when that happened... We did not quite understand why that was the case.... Anyway, I suggested to the other disciples that we should go back to Bethany with Jesus no matter what may happen to us... So we prepared to leave.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus stayed two more days where He was after He received Martha's and Mary's message....

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              A FAVOURED HOME PART VI

However, things do not happen as Lazarus' sisters expect as you can read in John 11:5-16

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. Then He said to His disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone You, and yet You are going back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." After He had said this, He went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but His disciples thought He meant natural sleep. So then He told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us to go to him." Then Thoman (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disicples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

It seems Jesus takes no notice of the urgent request of Lazarus' sisters to come for He makes no move to leave the place where He is. Finally, after two days He and His twelve disciples decide to go to Bethany where Lazarus, Martha and Mary live.