Good morning. I would think that pretty much everyone who reads these thoughts for the day would be familiar with the raising of Lazarus from the dead. We read of the account in John 11:1-47. We tend to dwell on the interaction of Jesus and the dead man’s sisters, Martha and Mary. We read of Jesus’ delay in coming to care for Lazarus while he was alive, the purpose being that God’s glory was to be revealed through the raising of Lazarus from the dead. We read that Jesus himself felt the pain of grief and wept for the death of his friend and for the misery of Martha and Mary. Beginning in verse 38 we read this: Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
There you have it. Jesus, calling upon the heavenly Father, raises His voice in command and orders that the dead man must become alive and walk out of the tomb.
Have you ever thought about Lazarus? I know, this is probably a little weird, but let’s give a few moments of thought to the one who died and was raised to life. Lazarus.
He was referred to as a friend of Jesus, in fact in John 11:4 we read the message sent to Him from Martha and Mary: “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” When Lazarus knew that his illness was worsening, and felt his physical strength leaving him, did he ask that they send for his dear friend Jesus? We aren’t told that he did, only that by the time Jesus arrives at their home he had already been dead for four days.
But now let’s visit his tomb. Lazarus’ body is cold and rigid because physical life has left him, and the dead man is laid out on a stone within a tomb. His dead body has been anointed and dressed for burial, honored as best his sisters could manage. It had been four days, but we can only imagine that there was no hint of the passing of time for the dead man. But then something, everything, changes.
Lazarus begins to awaken. What did it feel like? Can you imagine him wondering what was going on? Did his mind feel panic as he realized where he was? Did his body feel pain after lying still for four days? His face was covered with a death wrap. What would it have been like for him to open his eyes only to see through a layer of thin linen? The first sound he heard was that of a familiar voice, the voice of his dear friend Jesus. Jesus, whom he had come to know and believe to be the anointed one of God, the promised Messiah. And now, wrapped in linen appropriate for the dead, with his body stiff and only beginning to regain warmth, he hears the voice of Jesus. But it is not a calm and friendly voice. It is the voice of one in command. It is a voice that is shouting a direct order. The command, he realizes as his brain comes to life, is directed to him. The command is simple: “Lazarus, come out!”
Would he have thought about it? Would his mind have told him “Wait a minute, you’re dead. You aren’t going anywhere!” Would there have been confusion? Would confusion have been mixed with joy? But let’s be clear, Lazarus was never so confused that he hesitated to obey. At the sound of Jesus’ voice and hearing the Lord’s command, Lazarus gets up! Lazarus comes out! Lazarus stands still as they remove the wrappings fit for the dead, because Lazarus is alive!
Jesus made it clear to Martha as she questioned Him: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
Finally, I think it is fitting that we wonder what becomes of Lazarus? We don’t get any more information, but I would love to know more. One would think that he would have lived the rest of his days differently. Not only does he believe in the resurrection that is ours through Jesus Christ in principle, he was an active participant!
We too should consider life through the eyes of one who has been raised. All who have joined their Lord Jesus in the waters of baptism have joined Him in the likeness of His death burial and resurrection. Romans 6:1-11
Live to today as one who has been raised to life!
Vern