“Lazarus, Come Forth!” — Jesus Resurrected Lazarus From The Dead (John 11:1–44)
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A biblical‑style retelling of the Resurrection of Lazarus for children ages 3 and up. Includes ancient Jewish burial customs, cultural practices, geography of Israel, FAQs, images, and a faith‑building conclusion.
🌿 The Story of Lazarus (John 11:1–44) — For Children
💌 A Message From Bethany
There was a man named Lazarus in the village of Bethany.
He was very sick. 🤒
His sisters, Mary and Martha, loved him dearly. ❤️
Mary was the one who poured sweet perfume on My feet and wiped them with her hair. 🌸
So the sisters sent Me a message:
“Lord, the one You love is sick.”
I said,
“This sickness will not end in death. It will show God’s glory.”
I loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
But I stayed where I was for two more days. ⏳
Then I said to My disciples,
“Let us go to Judea again.”
They said,
“Teacher, people there wanted to hurt You. Are You going back?” 😟
I answered,
“If you walk in the light, you do not stumble.”
Then I told them,
“Our friend Lazarus is sleeping. I am going to wake him.”
They said,
“Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” 😌
So I told them plainly,
“Lazarus is dead.
And I am glad for your sake, so you may believe.
Let us go to him.”
Thomas said,
“Let us go too, so we may die with Him.”
🏡 Martha Runs to Meet Jesus
When I came near Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.
Many friends had come to comfort Mary and Martha. 🤝
Martha heard I was coming and ran to Me.
Mary stayed in the house.
Martha said,
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
But even now, I know God will give You whatever You ask.”
I said,
“Your brother will rise again.”
She answered,
“I know he will rise on the last day.”
I said to her,
“I am the Resurrection and the Life.
Whoever believes in Me will live.
Do you believe this?”
She said,
“Yes, Lord. I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
🏃♀️ Mary Comes Quickly
Martha went to Mary secretly and said,
“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
Mary got up quickly and came to Me.
Her friends followed her, thinking she was going to the tomb to cry. 😢
When Mary saw Me, she fell at My feet and said,
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
When I saw her crying, and her friends crying,
My heart felt heavy. 💔
I asked,
“Where have you laid him?”
They said,
“Lord, come and see.”
And I wept.
😭
The people said,
“See how He loved him!”
Some whispered,
“Couldn’t He who opened blind eyes have kept Lazarus from dying?”
🪨 At the Tomb
I came to the tomb.
It was a cave with a stone in front of it.
I said,
“Take away the stone.”
Martha said,
“Lord, he has been dead four days. There will be a smell.” 😣
I said,
“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?”
They rolled the stone away.
I lifted My eyes and prayed,
“Father, thank You for hearing Me.
I know You always hear Me.
I say this so the people may believe You sent Me.”
Then I cried out with a loud voice—
“LAZARUS, COME FORTH!” 📣
And Lazarus came out!
Still wrapped in cloth from head to toe.
His face was covered.
His hands and feet were bound.
But he was alive! 🙌
I said,
“Loose him, and let him go.”
The Story Begins: A Message From Bethany
Children, gather close. I want to tell you a story—a true story—about My friend Lazarus. He lived in a little village called Bethany. It was located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives in Israel, where the warm sun touched the stone houses each morning.
Psssst...Bethany is the same place where I ascended to my Father in Heaven.
Lazarus lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Families in those days often lived together, helping one another with cooking, farming, and caring for animals. Their home was always open to Me. We shared meals, laughter, and long talks under the olive trees.
One day, a message reached Me:
“Lord, the one You love is sick.”
I felt the weight of those words. I loved Lazarus. He was my friend. However, I also knew something greater was about to happen—something that would help everyone understand why they could trust Me.
Why I Waited To Visit Lazarus
I did not hurry to Bethany.
Why?
Because I wanted My friends to see how powerful God is, even when everything seems lost.
A Sad House in Bethany
When I arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.
In those days, people wrapped the body in long linen strips. They also added spices like myrrh and aloes. Then they placed their loved ones in caves carved into the hills—cool, quiet places sealed with a large round stone. Families and neighbors gathered to cry together, because mourning was a shared act of love.
When I got to Bethany, Martha heard that I had arrived. She ran to Me with tears on their faces.
“Lord,” Martha said, “if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
I looked into her eyes and said,
“Your brother will rise again.”
Martha said to me, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
I said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live ... And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to me, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Do you know what the resurrection means?
Resurrection means that someone back alive after they had died. Three people had been resurrected in the days of the prophets, so this is nothing new. You see children, God can bring people back to life from the dead.
I am the Son of God, and I resurrected people during my ministry on earth. One day, in the First Resurrection, I will bring to life all those who believe that I am the Son of God. These are the people who are born again, and who live righteously. They will receive eternal life.
Read about Jesus resurrection.
Mary asked Mary to Come
After speaking to me, Martha went to get Mary came. When Mary arrived, she fell at my feet, weeping. She cried:
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Her tears touched My heart. I went to see Lazarus's tomb
I wept with her and all the people.
Have you ever cried because someone you love is hurting? I have too.
I Walked to Lazarus' Tomb
I walked to Lazarus' tomb. The air smelled of dust and desert wind. The tomb was just like many found in the hills of Judea. The stone sealing the entrance looked heavy, like a giant sleeping in the sun.
“Take away the stone,” I said.
Martha whispered, “Lord, by now there is a smell. He has been dead four days.”
But I told her,
“Did I not say that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
The Miracle of Lazarus Coming Back to Life
Some strong men ran to the tomb and grabbed the stone. It rolled away with a deep rumble.
I lifted My eyes and prayed so the people would know the Father had sent Me.
Then I called out with a loud voice—
“Lazarus, come forth!”
Children, imagine everyone holding their breath.
Imagine the silence.
Imagine the hope rising like the morning sun.
And then—
Lazarus stepped out.
His hands and feet were still wrapped in linen strips. His face was covered with a cloth. But he was alive. Alive!
“Unbind him,” I said, “and let him go.”
Why Lazarus' Resurrection Matters
Why did I raise Lazarus?
Because I wanted everyone—Mary, Martha, the people of Bethany, and even you—to know this truth:
I am the Resurrection and the Life. I have life in me and can bring anyone back to life.
With Me, death is not the end.
With Me, hope always rises.
Just as the desert flowers bloom after rain, life springs forth where My voice is heard by those who believe that I am the Son of God and who are asleep in graves.
One day in the future, I will come back for my people, and will resurrect those sleeping in the graves. After that, those who are alive will be caught up in the air with them to be with me in Paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did Jesus wait before going to Bethany?
He waited so the people would see God’s power clearly. The miracle would shine brighter after four days. Jesus wanted people to see that God can do anything and to believe that He is the Son of God.
Why were people wrapped in cloths when they died?
It was a sign of love and respect. Spices and linen honored the person and prepared them for burial.
What does “I am the Resurrection and the Life” mean?
It means life comes from Me. Even when things seem impossible, I have the power to raise people from the dead. I will do so again in the first resurrection.
Where is Bethany?
Bethany is on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem.
Why did Jesus cry?
Because I loved My friends. Their pain touched My heart.
Conclusion: A Message for Your Heart
Children, remember this:
When everything feels dark, My light still shines.
When hope seems gone, I speak life.
When you feel alone, I walk beside you.
Just as Lazarus stepped out of the tomb, you can step into my life, joy, peace, and courage—because I am with you. If you believe that I am the Son of God, confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, turn away and live righteously, you will be resurrected to live forever with me one day.
Learn how to receive eternal life with me.
Call to Action
If this story touched your heart, share it with someone who needs hope today.
And if you want more child‑friendly Bible stories, subscribe to a kids’ Bible channel, read Scripture with your family, or explore more stories together.
References
Evans, C. A. (2012). Jesus and the Remains of His Day: Studies in Jesus and the Evidence of Material Culture. Hendrickson Publishers.
Finegan, J. (1992). The Archaeology of the New Testament: The Life of Jesus and the Beginning of the Early Church (Rev. ed.). Princeton University Press.
Hachlili, R. (2005). Jewish Funerary Customs, Practices and Rites in the Second Temple Period. Brill.
Murphy‑O’Connor, J. (2008). The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700 (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
The Israel Museum. (n.d.). Jewish burial practices in the Second Temple period. https://www.imj.org.il/en
