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38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” ~ John 11:38-44
Being deeply moved, again, within, according to v.38, the Lord Jesus approaches the tomb of Lazarus' planned death. Remember, the Lord Jesus stayed where He was two more days. His love allowed the death of this beloved brother. He did so, because this illness and death was for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. This is the point of all our lives experiences.
Faith is not a way to control the outcomes. The story of Lazarus addresses the manipulative nature of our faith. Real faith is patience with the mystery. But, when the mystery unfolds, faith is captivated by the love of this Genius who has been known to make us wait. The love of God is most often proved by His perceived absence. Real faith is the precedent to the insight of hindsight.
Lazarus' tomb was a vertical cave into which one would descend in steps. A stone was laid flat on the ground of its surface. According to v.39 the Lord Jesus instructs the stone to be removed. Martha protests, "But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
In v.40, notice the response of the Lord Jesus. He does not rebuke Martha, He encourages her with, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" The word of God always addresses the obstacle of our doubts. How often do we find that our faith needs encouragement only to be found in His word. In advance, we must believe before we can see His genius. Our faith must always be framed up by the word of God.
In order to do the impossible, the Lord Jesus begins with a simple prayer in v.41-42, which reads, "41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
Notice the combination of human involvement in removing the stone and the prayer of the Lord Jesus. In His prayer, the Lord Jesus brings attention to the fact that this miracle was performed for the growth of those who were observing this miracle. But we only grow when we respond to His word in obedience and trust. Had they not removed the stone, Lazarus would not have come forth.
Then, according to v.43-44, the miracle was done. It is a good thing the Lord Jesus singles out Lazarus, had He not, it is speculated that others would have come forth from their graves. And, that which Mary and Martha had grieved over became the source of great joy. But, joy is mostly found in the context of the glory of the Lord. We experience the greatest of joy when the Lord Jesus is receiving the most glory.
Then, life returns to Lazarus' body and he comes out of the tomb. He comes forth bound in grave clothes, still wrapped in white, staggering about. Then, the Lord Jesus involves the disciples, He tells them to take the grave clothes off of Lazarus. What a picture of ministry. We must never be surprised by the fact that ministry is messy. And, if you aren't willing to get a little messy, you will not be good at ministry. In addition, life is something only God alone can give, but unbinding people is something we can do.
The Lord Jesus raised Lazarus because He is the resurrection. He shows up at the tomb of every Lazarus. And, we all have Lazarus' in our lives. Lazarus' name means the one whom God helps. The resurrection of Lazarus is a preview of our resurrection. The Lord Jesus is coming back to this earth in power and great glory for those who have cried out to Him. And this story is a window into that future event.
