Celebrating Change

Change is almost always a beginning and an ending if we have the courage to see it that way. Through the story of Jesus & Lazarus, Ericka Graham guides us into a new way of thinking about change.

Live Teaching Podcast Scripture & References

John 11

11 There was a certain man who was very ill. He was known as Lazarus from Bethany, which is the hometown of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary did a beautiful thing for Jesus. She anointed the Lord with a pleasant-smelling oil and wiped His feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus became deathly ill, 3 so the sisters immediately sent a message to Jesus which said, “Lord, the one You love is very ill.” 4 Jesus heard the message.

Jesus: His sickness will not end in his death but will bring great glory to God. As these events unfold, the Son of God will be exalted.

5 Jesus dearly loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 6 However, after receiving this news, He waited two more days where He was.

Martha: 21 Lord, if You had been with us, my brother would not have died. 22 Even so I still believe that anything You ask of God will be done.

Jesus: 23 Your brother will rise to life.

Martha: 24 I know. He will rise again when everyone is resurrected on the last day.

Jesus: 25 I am the resurrection and the source of all life; those who believe in Me will live even in death. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never truly die. Do you believe this?

Martha: 27 Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Anointed, the Liberating King, God’s own Son who we have heard is coming into the world.

28 After this Martha ran home to Mary.

Mary: Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would still be alive.

33 When Jesus saw Mary’s profound grief and the moaning and weeping of her companions, He was deeply moved by their pain in His spirit and was intensely troubled.

Jesus: 34 Where have you laid his body?

Jews: Come and see, Lord.

35 As they walked, Jesus wept; 36 and everyone noticed how much Jesus must have loved Lazarus. 37 But others were skeptical.

Others: If this man can give sight to the blind, He could have kept him from dying.

38 Then Jesus, who was intensely troubled by all of this, approached the tomb—a small cave covered by a massive stone.

Jesus: 39 Remove the stone.

Martha: Lord, he has been dead four days; the stench will be unbearable.

Jesus: 40 Remember, I told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.

41 They removed the stone, and Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven.

Jesus: Father, I am grateful that You have heard Me. 42 I know that You are always listening, but I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me.

43 After these words, He called out in a thunderous voice.

Jesus: Lazarus, come out! (

44 Then, the man who was dead walked out of his tomb bound from head to toe in a burial shroud.

Jesus: Untie him, and let him go.