The miracle of Our Lord in the raising of Lazarus from the bonds of death is, I
believe, the most powerful of all of the miracles recorded in the New
Testament. It bears a message to us of present power and future glory. It
conveys a comfort and a confidence in the love and hope made available through
the mercies of God our Father. Just as the Morning Sun rises on the eastern
skies, so did this miracle take place on the eastern slopes of Mt. Olivet where
the ‘temporary’ tomb of Lazarus had been carved from the rocky face of the
mountain. The miracle suggests a prophetic reminder of the resurrection of the
Lord Himself just a short time hence. He is our rising Sun with healing in His
Wings. The Voice of the Lord penetrates time, space, and matter to achieve its
will. It does today for Lazarus.
Martha, Mary and Lazarus were close friends with our Lord. Jesus never failed
to visit their home when circumstances permitted. He spent every night of Holy
Week with this beloved family. Each were special to the Lord in different ways
just as each of us who love Him are special to Him in unique ways. Martha was a
woman who always was about the business of caring for people and providing for
their needs. Mary was more inclined to a gentler nature that sought out a
loving relationship with the Lord. Mary was always found at the feet of Jesus –
either to listen and to learn of Him, or to minister to Him by anointing His
head with expensive oils and wiping His feet with her hair. We know less of
Lazarus except to say that Jesus loved Him and even restored him to life – it
is enough!
I must apologize for the length of this devotion, but it cannot be fully
rendered without the entire passage of contextual narrative.
1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the
town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which
anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose
brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him,
saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus
heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death,
but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When
he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same
place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His
disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and
goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he
stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because
there is no light in him. 11 These things said he: and after
that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus
sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then
said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit
Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest
in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the
intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then
said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also
go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found
that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18 Now Bethany was
nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19 And many of the
Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then
Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary
sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if
thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that
even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus
saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I
believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the
world. 28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called
Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As
soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now
Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met
him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and
comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out,
followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then
when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet,
saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When
Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,
he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord,
come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews,
Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this
man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should
not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh
to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus
said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the
sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for
he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe,
thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away
the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes,
and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard
me. 42 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. 43 And when he thus
had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus,
come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand
and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus
saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
(John 11:1-44)
It is a
great comfort for us to know that Christ will empty our tombs just as He does
Lazarus. He is Lord of the living and not the dead.
In this
account, we learn that a ‘certain man named Lazarus’ was sick. He is a man from
Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary (the same Mary who anointed the Lord and
wiped His feet with her hair). The two women were sisters to the ailing
Lazarus. We learn from the text these cardinal points:
1)He
whom thou lovest is sick: It is important to make note of this
appeal of the sisters to Christ in their message. Those whom Christ lovest will
receive a certain and sure attention of the Lord to his condition. The Lord may
have reason to delay a satisfaction to prayer for the greater glory of God, but
He will certainly respond in the due process of time according to a Will which
is beyond our understanding. IT is the power of His love that gives us life and
hope in death.
2) This sickness is not unto death A
profound truth that begs elucidation here is that there is no real death to the
believer. Death is simply a gate to a fuller and richer eternal life of ecstasy
with God. Though a physical death should drag our bodies to the tomb, the Lord
of Life will awaken that body regardless the impediments of stone and masonry
surrounding. Christ spoke in a knowledge and wisdom of which the hearers were
not prepared to grasp. He does so often to us today, but we must trust always
for the final count.
3) Now
Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus This is no random
statement of insignificance for Christ loves all who love Him. The love of
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus for Christ was a lasting love, proven by dedicated
service and unquestionable loyalty. The love of Christ for you, me, and all who
love Him and obey Him is a truth beyond any doubt. In fact, He died especially
for you and me. Had there been none others but only one, He would have
doubtless died as a redemption for the sins of that one.
4) He
abode two days still in the same place where he was God is not
subject to the Space-Time Continuum in which the physical world operates.
Considerations of time are not matters of any import to the Ancient of Days. He
delayed His coming to Lazarus at Bethany for TWO more days! This delay
doubtless caused much trouble and worry for Mary and Martha as the life of
Lazarus gradually disappeared as a star on the distant horizon. Why did their
Lord delay? They were certain that Christ could heal Lazarus, but what if Lazarus
died while Christ delayed? They could not have comprehended the glorious
purpose for which Christ delayed. When our prayers are not answered in the same
time required to order a MacDonalds hamburger, we often suffer a failure of
faith. Do we not know that Christ does all things well regardless our lack of
understanding His ways?
5) Let us go into Judaea again:
Jesus is aware of the dangers lurking in returning to Judea, the place of
Bethany, but while it is yet light, He must labor. While He is yet living in
the flesh, He is the Light itself. He is the “Day Star” (2 Peter 1:19) and the
very “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) in whose wings is healing (for you,
me, and Lazarus).
6) Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may
awake him out of sleep All
who confess Christ are joined in friendship and love. “Our friend Lazarus” is a
precious term by which Christ made reference to the dead. Even our friends who
have physically died are still our friends. In the eyes of all his friends and
family gathered at Bethany, Lazarus is DEAD! But to Christ, the Author and
Giver of Life, Lazarus is merely sleeping. The length of the sleep is
irrelevant – hours, days, months, years – all are immaterial to the awakening
from sleep of the power of Christ. God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
He is not the God of the dead! Christ will surely awaken Lazarus regardless his
length of sleep and condition of decay.
7) But
they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said
Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. The words of Christ are gracious and gentle.
He looks upon physical death in the same way as sound sleep. But his disciples
could not understand, so He speaks to them in terms which they can understand.
Let us look upon death in the same way Christ has taught us to view it – as
merely a temporary sleep – a twinkling of the eye before we are given glorified
bodies not subject to the least shadow of death.
8) And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there,
to the intent ye may believe Jesus is constantly vexed by
our little faith. Do we not recognize Him as the Lord of Life? Do we expect too
little from such a One?
There is
an account of King Cyrus the Great coming with his splendidly armed array of
archers, swordsmen, and cavalry to surround the city of Lydia. Its king, being
an intelligent man, and knowing the reputed invincibility of the massed power
of Cyrus’ army, surrendered without bloodshed. This favorably impressed the
great King Cyrus and he parleyed with the King of Lydia and told him to ask any
favor of Cyrus and it would be granted. The King of Lydia wasted no time in
requesting two thousand talents of gold. This was an enormous value to ask, and
the treasurer of Cyrus complained to King Cyrus that the man was presumptuous
in asking such a great treasure. Cyrus responded, “Not at all, my friend. This
man recognizes me as a great king and so he asks a great ransom. Anything less
would be an insult to my power.” Should we not view the riches of Christ with
at least a greater regard?
9)We must
trust in Christ to provide our security. “Let us also go, that we may
die with him” Thomas (the doubter) presumes much courage that he
does not possess in this remark. We must take care not to make claims to God
that we are unable to support. Why was Thomas hiding away after the
crucifixion? Why did he doubt even eye witness accounts of Christ’s
resurrection? Was his faith on the same scale as that of the Scribes and
Pharisees “He saved others; Himself He cannot save” (Gospel of St
Matthew 27:42). More important than dying with Christ is the practice of Living
IN Christ! This requires greater faith and trust than the disciples presently
have at this moment before the raising of Lazarus.
The clear
message of the above passage is to trust in Christ even when all worldly
signals defy that trust.
I feel that we have been
climbing a great, lone mountain in this chapter. Christ now utters a mighty and
profound truth around which our salvation is gathered: I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. His
is the life that transcends all time and eternity. His promise is the life that
continues beyond the grave. Though we die in this mortal body, yet we are alive
in our Ark of Christ which rises all the higher the greater the calamity below.
Only God’s clearly stated Word can do justice to this promise and our
descriptive adjectives fail us to come near in explanation. 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this? Whosoever liveth and believeth? Once
our last breath is taken, there is no longer opportunity for decision – it must
be made while we yet live in these bodies. We must not gamble away valuable
moments – NOW is the time of decision for Christ! Though he were
dead, yet shall he live! There is no death in the life of the
Christian. If we are safe in our Ark of Christ, we shall rise as the Ark has
risen! NO DEATH!
Do not overlook the significance
of the first two words of Jesus’ statement – “I
AM!” - not I was, or I shall be, but “I AM” from
before the foundations of the worlds and beyond the dying of the suns. If we
are in Christ, WE ARE from this time forward beyond the
Space-Time Continuum and into Eternity Future. The comforting point is that
this also includes the dead (in our sense) in Christ!
The faith of Martha gives off a
spark on understanding, but the whole understanding is yet to be realized. But
she believes enough to know Him. Yea, Lord; I believe thou art
the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
We may not comprehend (and certainly cannot) the fullness of the character of
God, but to believe and know His Son is sufficient of faith.
And
when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly,
saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee It
appears that Martha, in her characteristic zeal to ‘get the job done’, has told
a little white lie to her sister for it is not recorded that Christ asked for
Mary. Of course, such a casual request may not have been recorded. But we are
told that Martha called Mary “secretly”. She knows, perhaps, that Mary is hurt
by what she misconceives as her ardent love for Christ being scorned by His
seeming indifference to the predicament of her brother Lazarus. Not knowing the
power and mind of Christ, Mary cannot know what Christ is about to do. We are
told that Mary, on hearing Martha’s report, arose and came to Christ quickly.
This is the same Mary who loved to sit at the feet of Christ. Now she has sat
in her parlor delaying going out to Him at first as Martha had done. The Jewish
friends who had come to the house to mourn the loss of Lazarus were blind to
that love that compelled Mary forth to Christ. In their reasoning, she was “gone
to the grave to weep there.” In fact, Mary had not gone to the place of death,
but the One in whom there was no room or place for death –“the Resurrection and
the Life!” Yet, when she fell at His feet, Mary asked the same question
as her sister: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Though
an outright statement, the statement is an implied question.
33 When
Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her,
he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And
said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto
him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus
wept. Why did Jesus groan in His spirit at the sight of the
mourners? He was troubled. Why? We are not told outright, but the context of
the scene, as well as knowing the nature of Christ, are indicators of the
reasons. He did not groan for Lazarus for He knew that Lazarus was not finally
dead. He was not troubled over the sorrow of the women, for He knew their
sorrow would be turned to joy in a matter of minutes. It is possible that
Christ was troubled that His friends, who had known Him intimately and seen His
many works of wonder, did not seem to know Him fully – that He was the Lord,
also, of Life itself. “Jesus wept.” Though the shortest verse in the
Bible, it is also the most poignant. I am often impressed with the notion that
my own lack of faith and obedience may cause a precious tear of Christ to well
up in His eye of love and compassion.
Some of the Jews remarked: “Could
not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this
man should not have died?” They focus is upon death and not upon the LIFE
that Christ offers.
Jesus
said, Take ye away the stone! What
powerful command is this! God will do a work that no man has before witnessed,
yet He allows us a part in the work. We may roll away the stone to demonstrate
our faith that something of wonder will be done by our Lord.
How many stones of ignorance and
faithlessness block the way of sinners in coming to Christ? May our living and
teaching not remove some of these cumbersome stones from their way? We are now to witness a profound and
memorial event!
Martha simply cannot believe the
power of the Christ whom she knows to be the literal Son of God. Her ability to
see beyond common measures is limited by her lack of fully understanding what
it means to be the Son of God. Martha, the sister of him that was
dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh[1]:
for he hath been dead four days. She, too, is focused on the
tragedy of death and not the hopefulness of life. In her understanding, the
length of death is a measure of the eternity of it. Though Abraham died
thousands of years ago, yet he lives today, for God is not the God of the dead,
but the living!
Jesus
saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou
wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? As I
write these words, I am overcome at the intensity of this statement! Though we
may be secure in our salvation, yet we still are unable to comprehend the
immensity of the power of God. In my private prayers and devotions, I often
repeat the words of the father of the child possessed of a devil: 23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all
things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the
father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou
mine unbelief. Mark 9:23-24 The mighty powers of
heaven are about to be concentrated on the least of all things – a dead body in
a stone tomb in an unremarkable community in an unremarkable land, and that
before observers who cannot comprehend the measure of the miracle about to be
performed before their very eyes!
41 Then
they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus
lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee
that thou hast heard me. 42 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. If
Christ can return thanks to His Heavenly Father for granting the powers to do
great good, can we not also return thanks for His doing of the great good to
us? Our lives are a sermon to the unbelieving world.
43 And
when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus,
come forth. Are my ears worthy to hear this final
commandment, even to ears that are dead? Yes, Christ spoke with a loud voice –
so loud that it penetrated the stone casing of the tomb. So loud that it
entered and fell upon the ears that had been dead four days (no matter the
length of time). So loud that it transcended the eternities of time. So loud
that the Voice entered in the dead and lifeless heart of Lazarus and thereby
sparked an impulse that made that dead heart no longer dead. The heart
responded, and life-giving blood again pulsed through a body that had already
begun decay. No longer! The very cells and tissue came alive and responded to
that Loud Voice! Death cannot exist in the presence of life. Darkness
cannot abide the force of Light! Spirit of Lazarus was returned to his
lifeless body, and Lazarus WAS ALIVE! That Loud Voice echoes down the annals of
time and completely off the charts into eternity! That same Voice will one day
beckon to another dead body that belongs to you and me and all others who know
Christ as Lord and Savior.
And he
that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face
was bound about with a napkin.
Lazarus, because of the habits of mankind, was bound hand and foot in grave
clothes. He was blinded, too, by the napkin that covered his face. Without
Christ, we, too, are bound hand and foot by our deadness in sin. We are blind
and know not the way. But Christ commands, “ Loose
him, and let him go How can I add any word of meaning to this
last command? It sums up the whole of what Christ does for us if we only will
believe and come to Him in faith. His Grace will set us free!
Because of the sacrifice of
Christ, we may all be loosed and set free.
