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r By Bessie Wllbon j | INTRODUCTION "Lord of Life is a theme most appropriately drawn from the Gospel according to John. Life is one of three key words resounding through the book. The other two are light and love. - ** friend *“ coUcctors sinners, enjoyed the friendship also of some highly respected citizens. Among them was the family of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary at Bethany, a town just outside Jerusalem. They were held in warm affection by Jesus. We meet the s&ers first in Lake's account of Jesus’ being entertained in Martha s hom^The next mention of this family in Scripture is John's account of the death and rising of Lazarus. It becomes clear that the sisters knew where to contact Jesus in His journeying, that the family was well re garded by the Jews in Jenualem; and that they had sufficient wealth to provide their own burial cave. LESSON BACKGROUND Jesus was somewhere in,Perea, east of the Jordan, when a message from the sisters of Bethany brought news that "he whom thou lovest is sick." Jesus replied, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God." He remained with IBs disciples for two more days where He - wa*> before telling them that Lazarus was dead and that He was going - to Bethany "that I may awake him out of sleep." The errand to the envi runs of Jerusalem was not without risk. The disciples were fully aware that bitter enemies awaited Him there, and Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him. z the lesson i Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been buried four days . Z before- Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Ju Z dcans ^000,010 ** Martha and Mary to comfort them about their 7. brotllcr’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, 'If you had been here. Lord, my brother would not have died! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask him for.' - ^Y°ur brother win rise to life,' Jesus told her. 1 know,' she replied, 'that he will rise to life on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 1 am the resurrec tion and die life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me wiH never die. Do you be . lieve this?"Yes, Lord!’ she answered." (John 11:17-27. Be sure to read ■ John 11:38-44 for the completion of the lesson for today.) : Jcsus knew that Lazarus was dead and He probably knew when the death occurred. In revealing that Lazarus was dead, Jesus had told his disciples, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye j ; m*y believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." We can all rejoice, even amid our sympathy for the sisters, that Jesu»-was not there. The fact , that Lazarus had been buried for four days gives to this miracle of resur rection the greatest evidential power. Did someone tell Martha Jesus was coming? Or did Jesus, wishing some measure of privacy for His first conversation with the sisters, choose a meeting place outside the town and send word for her to meet Him there? At any rate. He did not come into Bethany until after He had talked with both of the sistors. Jesus dealt with one obstacle, only to meet with another. Lazarus' tomb could have been opened by the same angel who rolled the stone from KBs own burial place. But a certain economy seems to rule in Bib lical miracles. God does not do for men what they can do for them selves. Several strong men would probably be required to remove the stone. The second obstacle was Martha's reluctance, surprising in the light l of her already expressed faith in Jesus, but not surprising in die light of ' circumstances and Martha's practical, take charge nature. Did she . think Jesus had forgotten the facts of the case? Not many human beings ; 8,0 totally constant or consistent in all they say and do. We may be ; grateful for the grace and patience of God, covering our lapses. » "Loose him, and let him go!" Jesus is Lord but He never exercised ‘ * coercive control over one to whom He had ministered with a miracle. ; He gave life, health, vision, hearing, soundness of limb, and freedom ", from demons, with no strings attached. The new powers became each recipient's own possession and responsibility. Some were un grate ; : fill and disobedient. Some, though, were like the blind man to whom Jesus said. "Go thy war. *y foi* hath made thee whole," and the man immediately received his sight and followed Jesus in the way. So it was in the aftermath of Lazarus' being raised. Lazarus and his ■ *i*tor* opened heart and home to Jesus in grateful affection. Many of I the Jews believed in Jeans because of what they had seen. Others be • came informers against Him to His enemies. And the Jewish high council, hearing the report, determined that both Jesus and Lazarus must be put to death because they threatened the establishment in Jeru salem. What, then is your response and report concerning the Lord of Life? By word and demonstration, the raising of Lazarus establishes Jesus as foe Lord of Life. [■ ...^-—---- - - ■ * - ’ The Charlotte Post 52 Weeks of Informative and Entertaining News about Your Community! Get Your Subscription Today Wee Ones Boutique Tor The Yup and Coming* 25%-35% off Outfit All The Little One* p rPfc**.- ...t on Rd. Market 6-3021 At Planned ParenChz^ r• k!.'• - « - • -fyj. jr % Author Of “Women And Children Last” To Speak During Anniversary Luncheon By Jalyne Strong Poet Suff Writer Ruth Sidel, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at Hunter College, NY and author of the "startling expose" "Women and Children Last: The Plight of Poor Women in Affluent America," will speak at Planned Par enthood of Greater Charlotte's 16th Anniversary Luncheon on Thursday, January 29. 12 noon at the Radis son Plaza Hotel. A graduate of Wellesley College and Boston University School of Social Work, Dr. Sidel has focused much of her career around the well being of families. She worked for several years as a psychiatric social worker whose clients were families trying to cope with serious econom ic and emotional problems. And she has examined the role of wom en, the care of preschool children, and the provision of human servic In her book "Women and Chil dren Last," Dr. Sidel's primary con cern is with the plight of poor women and their children. “The evi dence Mrs. Sidel reviews," sutes The New York Times Book Review, "provides a refutation of the blame-the-victim view that forms the policy of the Reagan Ad ministration." Countless Americans are at risk of becoming poor through no fault of their own she's found, noting that "middle and upper-middle class women are not immune from pover ty when a man walks out or illness Dr. Ruth Sldel strikes...millions of women axe a divorce away from destitution, mil lions of workers are a layoff away from poverty." Based on the accounts of women and children living in poverty, the thrust of Dr. Sidel's book is a call for a far-reaching national family policy that will both strengthen family life and protect the well being pf children. She recommends reform in the area of employment, welfare, and universal entitlements to health and child care. Interest ingly, writes Times Book Re view, "All the specific programs concerning health and child care that Mrs. Sidel proposes are already available in most industrialized na \ Winbekt Major Joins C The Charlotte Chamber is pleased to announce the addition of Win field W. Major to its staff in the position of Small Business Consul tant. Major will be working closely with Small Business Services Vice President Lawrence Toliver in pro viding assistance for small business owners. "Lawrence and I will work togeth er because of our diversified back grounds. I will blend in and supple ment his many abilities, and round out the department" Major said. "I have always been interested in the ' Chamber’s role in the community, and 1 have a great respect for the professionalism of the Chamber. I hope that my experience in the\fi nancial area will benefit the mem ber*." \ Major served as managing partner of the Charlotte office of Ernst & Whinney between 1978 and 1985, and prior to that, was the managing partner of their office in Rochester, • New York. lions of the world—except the Unit ed States, to our disgrace.'' “With grace and persuasiveness," Times Book Review further states, “(Dr. Sidel's book) provides us with the tools that would permit America to 'wash away the tears' of millions of women, men and chil dren who now live wasted lives for the lack of help an affluent society can afford, but has chosen not to give." At Planned Parenthood's anniver sary luncheon. Dr. Sidel will offer a presentation of the future and the vulnerability of the contemporary American family. Over 600 people are expected to attend this luncheon which is open to the public by reservation only. Tickets are $15 per person, $120 to host a table for 8, or $150 to host a table of 10. At this luncheon, James Leavelle will be inaugurated as president of the Planned Parenthood Board of Di rectors, 1987, and a well-known community person will be honored by receiving the prestigious Marga ret Sanger Award. Planned Parenthood of Greater Charlotte is a private non-pro fit family planning organization with two locations in Charlotte: Planned Parenthood Central, 951 South Inde pendence Blvd. and Planned Parent hood East, 5231 Albermarle Rd. I can't BEAR to let one week go by, without my Charlotte Post. To Subscribe Call 376-0496 !! DISTINCTIVE SPECIALTIES "Specializing in, but, not limited to embroidery & Monogramming!!" Eel Skin Accessories: Handbags, Briefcases, Wallets, Key Chains and Much More Brass Ware & Haitian Art: Brass Elephants Lion, Eagles and Cranes, Handcarved Haitian __Accessories. *^LL EEL SKIN , ACCESSORIES 'INCLUDING NEW ARRIVALS 1 SPECIALLY PRICED 6507^0* TRYON ST. t Q I ACROSS FROM THE H RY HOUSE BAR-B-OUE \ . It Costs So Little And It Means So Much. Southern BeM Long Distance is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family at reasonable rates. A 10-MINUTE CALL FROM CHARLOTTE TO: Gastonia $1.32 Boone $2.67 . Salisbury1 $1.99 Rutherfordton $2.44 C—on wotonda orator 11 p.m. and aava avan mora. Waiaa »a«ad ilwr ata In atod 5-11 p.m., Sunday-frkUy H! Southern Befl Long Distance ©Southern Bel A—LSCUTHCmvm, ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH THE FUTURE?
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 15, 1987, edition 1
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