564. JOH 11:36-46. RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS

Joh_11:36-46. Resurrection of Lazarus

"Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him," &c.’97Joh_11:36-46.

We have already witnessed the mighty power of Christ, in raising the ruler’s daughter from the bed of death,’97the widow’s son from the bier as they were bearing him to the tomb,’97and now we are called to behold the resurrection of Lazarus from the tomb, who had been dead four days. Jesus had borne his testimony to Lazarus as his friend, he had met with and comforted the bereaved and sorrowful sisters, and had announced the truth that he should rise again. He had wept with the mourners at his tomb, and now he stands ready to give the mandate which should recall him to life, and bring him back from the regions of the dead. Observe,

I. The scene presented. He "cometh to the grave," Joh_11:38. In that grave lay the earthly remains of Lazarus. How fit the description of one who likens it to a house, the house appointed for all living. How low and humble,’97dug out of the earth. How small and circumscribed,’97a few feet in its dimensions. How silent and dreary;’97no sound of mirth or activity is heard proceeding from it. How appalling to flesh and blood. Nature could not court it;’97who would wish to exchange the splendid sitting-room, or even the social hearth for it? Yet how numerous and how densely populated! The earth may be likened to one great graveyard,’97one world of sepulchres. It is a house whose foundations rest on the sin of man,’97rebellion dug out its basis, and but for sin, earth would have been as sepulchreless as heaven. Here we behold the ravages of transgression, and the degradation and ruin of our nature. Yet thanks be to God, it is not an eternal prison, for Jesus stands at its margin to raise to life its slumbering tenant. Notice,

II. The directions given. (1.) He ordered the removal of the stone from the mouth of the tomb. Martha’s doubts seemed now to arise, for she concluded by that period that the body had become putrescent. To this Jesus replied, that if she would believe, as he had already said, she should see the glory of God, Joh_11:40. The miracles of the Redeemer reflected the Divine glory. They were the demonstrations of the power and goodness of Jehovah. And they attested the Divine mission of the Lord Jesus. The stone was now removed’97then,

(2.) Jesus held devotional communion with his Father. With eyes lifted up towards heaven, he said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me: and I knew that thou hearest me always," &c., Joh_11:41, Joh_11:42. Here the oneness of the Son with the Father’s mind is beautifully implied. As they were one in nature, so of necessity in purpose and design. Jesus ever prayed in accordance with the will of his Father, and his Father ever delighted to hear and grant his requests. He thus honored the Father by confidential acknowledgment, and holy thanksgiving. Observe,

III. The power he exerted. Having thus communed with God, "He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth!" Observe, though he had prayed to the Father, he does not raise Lazarus in the Father’s name, but by his own almighty command. His voice pierced the caverns of the dead, extended to the spirit of the deceased, and imparted life to the slumbering remains of Lazarus. Hence, immediately, "He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go," Joh_11:44. No wonder that the multitude should have been panic-struck by the scene, and that Lazarus should have been left to struggle with his funeral apparel. Let it be remembered, that this was a miracle of indisputable reality. Collusion, or deception, was out of the question. It was effected by the word of Christ. It was one of the Redeemer’s most extraordinary miracles,’97one of his most stupendous doings on earth. And yet while it produced faith in some who beheld it (Joh_11:45), yet the chief priests and the Pharisees were more established in their prejudice and envy of Christ, and sought more diligently after this how they might take him and put him to death. How clear that no evidence can meet the exigencies of the mind, spellbound by prejudice and the love of sin. Learn,

1. The glory and dominion of Christ. How true that he hath the keys of hades and death. That he can open, and no man can shut. That his power and authority extend to all beings and to all worlds. He is Lord of all.

2. Here we have an emblematical representation of the resurrection of the soul dead in sin. He quickens by his power and word, those who are dead in trespasses and sins.

3. This gives us a miniature view of the final resurrection. That voice which awoke Lazarus, shall wake the slumbering multitudes at the last day. The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and live.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS