(a) Jesus had a friend whose name was Lazarus. He lived in Bethany. When he fell ill, his sisters, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, but he said Lazarus' illness was not unto death. Jesus delayed for four days before he arrived with his disciples. Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother who had died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, and told Jesus that if he had been there, her brother would not have died. However, she believed that whatever Jesus asked from God would be granted. Jesus answered Martha that Lazarus would rise again. Martha said that she knew that Lazarus would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus then said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me though he dies yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die". Martha confessed her faith in him as the Christ, the son of God who came into the world.

(b) Lessons to be drawn from the declaration are:
(i) The believer in Christ passes from physical death of the body to life eternal in heaven.
(ii) Jesus gave his life for the world so that believers will live with him for ever.
(iii) The raising of Lazarus manifested the glory of God.