John 11:43-44

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS

‘Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth.’

John 11:43

I. The sympathy of Jesus.

(a) He was vehemently moved against the havoc wrought by sin in the world, and the necessity of submitting to the presence of the prying Jews.

(b) He shed quiet tears for Martha and Mary, showing His feeling for all in sorrow (cf. Romans 12:15).

II. The visit to the tomb.

(a) Perhaps in the gardens, near the house of the family; hollowed out of the rocky side of the hill; still the custom in the East.

(b) Mournfulness of the visit.—All speak in brief and subdued tones; Martha’s faith grows dim. Jesus reminds her of the message sent from Bethabara (the other Bethany) in John 11:4, and of what He had just said.

III. The giving of life.

(a) With thanksgiving, that those around Him should understand that it was a Divine Power that was acting, and that they should recognise Him to be the Son of God.

(b) After prayer, from the human nature to the Divine Father.

(c) With authority (John 11:43). Death unable to resist His word.

IV. Results.

(a) What joy in the house that night!

(b) Belief of many of the Jews.

(c) Report to the Pharisees.

(d) The Pharisees and Sadducees summon the Sanhedrin.

(e) Unconscious prophecy of Caiaphas.

(f) Death decreed against the Lord of Life.

(g) Publication of the Decree.

(h) Retirement of Jesus to Ephraim or Ephron, near some wilderness, till the Passover.

V. This miracle should remind us of the life of the soul in God, in holiness and happiness.

(a) The gift of Christ (Romans 6:23).

(b) Must begin in this life through faith in Him (John 5:24).

(c) Will be continued to all eternity.

(d) The death of the body will only be freeing that new life from all that was subject to decay (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Archdeacon William Sinclair.

Illustrations

(1) ‘ “Are you afraid to die?” is the question which once called out from a sick person the following beautiful reply, “No; I have taken Him at His word: I am not afraid to die.” This expression, “I have taken Him at His word,” and the calm state of mind from which it flowed, well illustrate that “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” which is the very name as it is the foundation of the Christian religion.’

(2) ‘We read of a supper at Bethany, where Lazarus “sat at the table” among the guests—Lazarus, who had been publicly raised from the dead, after lying four days in the grave. No one could pretend to say that his resurrection was a mere optical delusion, and that the eyes of the bystanders must have been deceived by a ghost or vision. Here was the very same Lazarus, after several weeks, sitting among his fellow-men with a real material body, and eating and drinking real material food. It is hard to understand what stronger evidence of a fact could be supplied. He that is not convinced by such evidence as this may as well say that he is determined to believe nothing at all.’