Who was Lazarus? I know Jesus raised him from the dead, but what was their relationship?

Lazarus was a dear friend of Jesus who lived in the village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, with his two sisters, Mary and Martha. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus loved this family deeply. When we read that Lazarus had fallen ill, the sisters sent word to Jesus saying simply, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3b ESV). They knew Jesus would understand exactly who they meant.

What makes the raising of Lazarus so remarkable is that he had been dead for four days when Jesus arrived. By Jewish understanding, the soul was believed to linger near the body for three days, but after that, death was absolutely final. When Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away from the tomb, Martha protested, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days” (John 11:39b ESV). There was no question — Lazarus was dead.

Yet, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And the man who had been dead walked out of the tomb, still wrapped in his burial cloths. This miracle was unlike Jesus’ other healings or even the raising of Jairus’ daughter, who had just died. This was a complete reversal of death itself after days in the grave. It pointed directly to Jesus’ own words: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25a ESV). This miracle was such a powerful testimony to Jesus’ divine authority and His power over death.

What is the process like for choirs to record on the program?

We’re blessed to welcome choirs of all ages and types into our Fort Wayne, Ind., studio throughout the year! Unlike our pastor recordings, which typically happen on Tuesdays with three programs recorded in one day, choirs come in on any day of the week that works for their schedule.

All the choirs you see on “Worship Anew” are volunteer groups who generously share their musical gifts to spread God’s Word. We welcome groups ranging from four members up to 60 (our studio size limit). You might see children’s choirs from Lutheran schools, adult church choirs, high school chamber groups, or our own Worship Anew Choir, which records three to four times a year. These talented musicians perform the beloved hymns that our viewers cherish.

We are located on the Concordia Theological Seminary campus in Fort Wayne so we are easy to access and can accommodate buses. If your choir would like to participate, please contact Jeremy Klopfenstein, our director of production, at Jeremy@WorshipAnew.org or (888) 286-8002.

How are authors selected for your Hope-Full Living devotional?

Our Hope-Full Living devotionals are truly written for seniors, by seniors. We carefully select authors who demonstrate a deep love for God, a genuine love for others, and a passion for sharing God’s promises through the lens of everyday experiences. These writers, who are aging adults themselves, understand the unique joys and challenges of aging because they’re living them. Their devotions reflect real life — the small moments of grace, the struggles with health or loss, the unexpected blessings, and the eternal hope we have in Christ. This authentic voice is what makes Hope-Full Living so meaningful to our readers. If you are interested in learning more about the writing process, please contact Katelin Moquin, our Hope-Full Living editor, at Katelin@WorshipAnew.org or (888) 286-8002.

A note from the Editor ...

In our letters to the editor section, we would like to answer any and all questions that you have about Scripture, aging well, and our ministry. Please send your questions to editor@worshipanew.org. Please know that we will try to answer as many questions as we can. Thank you and enjoy!