Lazarus' Resurrection: A Wedding Miracle

The raising of Lazarus and the wedding at Cana are two of the miracles performed by Jesus, as told in the Gospel of John. The miracle at the wedding at Cana was Jesus' first, while the raising of Lazarus was the last before his arrest and crucifixion.

The story of the wedding at Cana is told in John 2:1-11, while the story of the raising of Lazarus is told in John 11:1-44. The miracle at the wedding at Cana involves Jesus turning water into wine, while the raising of Lazarus involves Jesus raising Lazarus of Bethany from the dead four days after his entombment.

The miracle of Lazarus

When Jesus and his disciples finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Martha, who had come out to meet Jesus, expressed her sorrow that Jesus had not arrived sooner, as she knew he could have healed her brother. Jesus assured her that Lazarus would rise again and declared:

> "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

Jesus then went to Lazarus's tomb and asked for the stone to be removed. Despite Martha's concerns about the smell, Jesus persisted and prayed to God. He then cried out for Lazarus to come out of the grave, and Lazarus emerged, still bound in his funeral garments.

The raising of Lazarus is considered one of the miracles of Jesus, demonstrating his power over death. It is the last miracle that Jesus performs before his passion, crucifixion, and resurrection. The miracle also has symbolic significance, representing Jesus' ability to conquer death and his own imminent resurrection.

Lazarus became famous for being brought back to life by Jesus, but there is little information about what happened to him afterward. Some traditions suggest he became the bishop of Kition in Cyprus or the bishop of Marseille in Gaul.

The miracle at the wedding

Jesus, his mother Mary, and his first few disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana, Galilee. When Mary noticed that the wine had run out, she turned to Jesus and asked him to do something about it. Jesus turned water into wine, delivering a sign of his divinity.

The exact location of Cana is still debated by scholars, but it is believed to be a village in Galilee, with several villages in the region being possible candidates.

Jesus' divinity

The resurrection of Lazarus is often cited as evidence of Jesus' divinity. This miracle is recounted in the Gospel of John, where Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead, four days after his entombment. This event is seen as a demonstration of Jesus' power over death and is considered the final miracle before his passion, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The New Testament is replete with references to Jesus' divinity. Jesus is not only regarded as the Messiah but is also equated with God Himself. For instance, the apostle Paul refers to Jesus as the "great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13) and asserts that he existed in the "form of God" before his incarnation (Philippians 2:5-8). Additionally, God the Father proclaims, "Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8). Jesus is also identified as the Creator in John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16-17.

Jesus' humanity is also an essential aspect of his divinity. By establishing his full humanity, theologians allow for the possibility of progressive improvement in earthly society through individual action. Jesus experienced hunger, fatigue, and emotional distress, such as when he wept for Lazarus. He learned and grew as a human, and his religious experience was firmly grounded in the human realm.

In conclusion, the divinity of Jesus is a central tenet of Christian faith. It is supported by biblical references, miracles, and his resurrection. Additionally, recognizing his humanity enhances our understanding of his divine nature and the significance of his achievements.

The Gospel of John

This miracle is the last of the 'signs' of Jesus' divinity in the Gospel of John. It complements and foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, as he returns to Bethany to restore Lazarus to life, knowing that he will soon be arrested and crucified.

The story of Lazarus is unique to the Gospel of John and is not mentioned in the other three canonical gospels. Biblical scholars suggest that the evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke may have omitted this episode because Lazarus was still alive when they were writing their accounts, and including his name would have endangered his life. John wrote his gospel much later, by which time Lazarus had died.

The New Testament

The miracle of Lazarus is as follows: Lazarus fell sick and his sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed his arrival and, by the time he arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus had the stone rolled away from the entrance to Lazarus's tomb and called out: "Lazarus, come out!". Lazarus emerged from the tomb, still wrapped in his grave-cloths. This miracle inspired many to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

The miracle of Lazarus is recounted in John 11:1-44. John 2:1-11 recounts another miracle, which took place earlier in Jesus's ministry. This was the miracle at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. Therefore, the miracle of Lazarus happened after the wedding in Cana.

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