Lazarus, Come Forth!

Or, the Second Life of Lazarus

John 11; 12:1-2; 9-11,12-19

We live in a world that is often obsessed with death. We serve a God who promotes life. Through Jesus’ death, we have life, just like Lazarus.

Jesus waited until Lazarus died. 11:1-16

He waited in spite of his love for the family.

He may have desired to rush to Lazarus’ side, but He didn’t.

In fact, He loved them, SO… he stayed 2 more days when He heard Lazarus was sick.

It is very important that we realize that it was Jesus’ LOVE that motivates Him to do this.

We wouldn’t even hold him accountable if he had rushed to Lazarus!

This is in the time period of the Close of Jesus’ Ministry. All that’s left is the Last Week, His Resurrection, and Exaltation. How many had He already healed by this time? Thousands? Millions?

Yet He actively restrained Himself so that the glory will be accomplished.

He knew that He would be glorified through this.

He believed that the sickness was NOT unto death.

Meaning, the purpose of this sickness was not to glorify or credit death as being all-powerful, but rather that the son of God would be shown as the conqueror of death.

He was willing to risk bodily harm to go to raise Lazarus.

He is completely misunderstood by his apostles in this process.

This is one of the themes of the book of John, and a major theme of this story.

Jesus is glad that He was not there to keep Lazarus from death.

He knew the good things that would happen if Lazarus was not only healed, but that he would come to life again! Lk. 16:31

Luke 16:31 NKJV

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

Jesus wept to see the lack of faith around Him. 11:17-37

The reality of death was encroaching upon the belief of all there.

Martha

Mary

The Jews who accompanied

Jesus’ reaction is a direct result of what others around him are saying and thinking.

Remember, He knew what was in the hearts of men. Jn 2:25

John 2:25 NKJV

and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

He is reminding everyone around Him of the present solution He gives… yet no one stops to truly listen, and they miss the point entirely.

Jesus believed and Lazarus rose. 11:38-44

Even at the tomb, Martha tried to stop Him, mindful of the stink associated with death.

She could not move past the physical reality of death, and could not conceive of what Jesus was going to do there, though she was given ample reason to simply trust Him.

“Take away the stone”

The rallying cry of the Lord of Creation. Only He can call for such a bold action and actually do something about it.

Jesus prays for the sake of the others who do not understand.

He prays that they may believe that He was sent from the Father.

The command: Lazarus, come forth!

Lazarus follows this command, even though it seems he can barely function in the grave clothes! The binding would likely have been tight upon him.

Jesus’ act of faith brought severe consequences. 11:45-57

Many Jews believed in Jesus, but others informed the Pharisees.

The chief priests and Pharisees gathered a council to determine what to do about Jesus.

Jesus could no longer walk openly among the Jews.

Jesus was “public enemy #1”; “all eyes on Jesus” with the coming Passover.

Many Jews seek Jesus, if only to see Lazarus alive.

The chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death, as “many of the Jews” believed in Jesus on this account!

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was marked by the fact that Lazarus was alive in a very public and proven way.

He is not the God of the dead, but of the Living.

Consider our parallels to Lazarus’ role in this story.

Jesus will wait until we all spiritually die. Rom 3:23

How far is Jesus willing to go in order to raise us up? How much pain does He see in our lives as we thrash about without His help?

It is painful, but it is founded in love.

Jesus weeps to see our lack of faith. Mk 12:26-27

The reality of death can oppress, confuse, and control us.

Some in this world become obsessed with death, if only to use it to control others.

Satan wants us to continually think about death, and things leading to death.

Yet, the reality of death SHOULD be the preparation to truly appreciate the wonder of what Jesus accomplished and continues to accomplish in our salvation.

“Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge’s name was good upon ‘Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail. […] There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.” -Dickens

Jesus is faithful, we awaken, and do what He commands. 1 Thess 5:23-24; Heb 10:23

When it comes down to it, Jesus’ faithfulness is the key to our resurrection in Him.

We obtain grace and mercy when we die with Him in water baptism for the forgiveness of our sins.

This would be impossible without His faith and His love.

Our acts of faith for the name of Jesus can bring severe consequences. Jn 15:18-25

Read the rest of John 12 and see what great effects the resurrection of Lazarus had on the gospel going forth! What is OUR daily effect upon others and our community from what Jesus has done in our lives?