ess is not unto death, but for the
glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." So Jesus
let Lazarus, one of the believers whom he loved, die[15] in order that
he might have the triumph of raising him from the dead. "Then said Jesus
unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I
was not there, to the intent ye may believe."

The confusion between earthly death and loss of eternal life was shown
in the remark of Jesus to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." This
might be construed to mean that believers should have eternal life
hereafter, but Jesus evidently had reference to life on earth for he
proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead and cause him to live again on
earth with his sisters.

When Martha reminded Jesus that Lazarus had been dead four days, Jesus
replied, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God?" But Jesus himself had doubts of his
ability to bring back Lazarus to life, as shown by his spontaneous
prayer of thanks: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." Then
he revealed again his desire to dramatize the occasion, saying, "And I
knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand
by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."

"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which
Jesus did, believed on him." Do the followers of Jesus, who claim that
he made no mistakes, believe on him? If so, they must believe that he
raised Lazarus from the dead as he claimed to have done. Do they believe
that they can also raise people from the dead? Jesus so assured them
when he promised that believers could do greater works than he
performed. No, Jesus gave a false impression of his power.

_God's Protection_

Jesus continued his deception of the world by promising protection that
has never been accorded. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And
one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are
of more value than many sparrows."[16]

These sayings may properly be taken as symbolical or allegorical; but
the evident intention was to assure his followers that God would protect
them in their daily life. Safety was promised for believers, a safety
that has been lacking for everyone. There is no e