30 Then said Thomas to the other apostles, "Let us go, also, that we may die with Him."
31 When Jesus came, Lazarus had already been wrapped and laid in the grave four days. There were many there with Martha to comfort her concerning her brother.
32 When she saw Jesus coming she went to meet Him, and be comforted by Mary, who was with Him. She said unto Jesus, "Rabbi, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. For I know whatever you ask of God, The Father will give it to you."
33 Jesus answered, "Fear not. He shall live again."
34 Martha answered Him, saying, "Yes, I know. He shall rise again at the resurrection in The Last Day."
35 Jesus said to her, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He that follows after me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever lives and believes in my Way shall never die. Believe you this?"
36 Martha answered boldly, saying, "Yes! I believe. You ARE The Christ, The Son Of God, who has come into the world."
37 Mary, her sister, came up to her and together they followed Jesus.
38 He cried out, "Where have you laid him?"
39 Then said the Jews, "Behold how much He loves him!"
40 Some said, "This man could cure the blind, the lepers. Why did He not keep His friend from death?"
41 Jesus stood before the cave and said, "Take the stone away!"
42 But Martha cried out, "Lord! He stinks! He has been dead four days!"
43 Jesus answered her, "Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see The Glory Of God?"
44 He cried out in a loud voice, "Stone! Be gone!" The stone shattered, fell down the slope before them, and those there trembled in fear.
45 Jesus rose His eyes to Heaven and cried in a loud voice, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that You are always with me because the people that stand by me say it is so. Now that they may believe that You have sent me."
46 He lowered His hands and cried out, "Lazarus, come forth!"
47 He that was dead hopped from the cave still bound in his burial cloth, the napkin over his face.
48 Jesus ordered them, "Unbind him, and let him go!"
49 Many there, seeing what He had done, came to believe, but others ran to the High Priest.
50 "What shall we do," they cried, "with this man that does so many miracles? If we leave Him alone all men will believe on Him. Then the Romans shall come and take away our place, and give Him the nation."
51 Ciaphas rose among them. Know you nothing at all?" he cried, "Do you not realize what is expected of us, that one man should die for the nation that the whole nation not perish?"
52 All knew he was speaking a prophecy that Jesus should die for the nation.
53 From that day forth they took counsel together to put Him to death, the old priests, fearful of losing their priests, but the younger ones questioning their wisdom.
54 Then six days before The Passover Jesus had supper in the house of Lazarus. Martha served Him, Mary, His wife, now showing child, anointed His feet with expensive oil, and wiped them with her hair. The scent of the ointment filled the house.
55 Judas The Tailor, who loved Jesus, became angry. "Why was this done?" he cried, "Why was this expensive ointment wasted? We could have raised three-hundred pieces to feed the poor."
56 Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Let her alone! She does this because she will not be able to do so on the day of my burying. Now, let her be. The poor you shall have with you always, but soon I will not be before you. Cherish me now, while I am with you."
57 As Jesus departed for Jerusalem He called Lazarus to Him. "You have many years yet," He told Him, "but if you stay here your hours will be less than mine.
58 Put your property into the hands of a steward and go up out of this land to a safe place that Demetrius' brothers shall show you.
59 If any man comes unto you saying, 'This Demetrius has done bad things unto The Lord,' know you that it was not by his will, but The Will Of God and hold not what is said against him. For he has been and will always be my friend, and shall be, also, to you."
60 So it was Lazarus and his sister made haste to be away from Jerusalem as Jesus entered therein.
"RENDER UNTO CEASAR...."
Chapter Fifty-Six
As they neared the city by The Mount Of Olives Jesus called two of His disciples to Him. "Go into the village which is before you, and on entering the gate on the left side, you will find a mare with a colt. Undo her, and bring her out to me. If any man asks you why do you loose her, tell them because Jesus has need of her."
2 They went immediately and found the mare. As they were loosing her, her owner cried out, "Where do you take her?"
3 They answered, "Jesus has need of her."
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