Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
When Lazarus dies, Jesus deliberately delays His arrival, allowing the situation to become humanly hopeless so that God's glory might be revealed beyond all doubt. To grieving Martha, He does not merely offer comfort about a future resurrection but declares Himself to be that resurrection: 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' Jesus weeps at the tomb, showing that His divine power does not erase His genuine human sympathy for our grief. Then, with a loud voice, He commands Lazarus to come forth, and the dead man walks out still bound in graveclothes — a picture of the believer raised to new life yet needing to be loosed from remaining habits of the old life. This miracle previews Christ's own resurrection and guarantees that all who believe in Him, though they die, will live, for He alone holds resurrection power.
I. The delay permitted
- Jesus loved Lazarus yet delayed
- The situation made humanly hopeless
- "For the glory of God"
II. The claim declared
- "I am the resurrection, and the life"
- Belief transcends physical death
- "Believest thou this?"
III. The sympathy shown
- Jesus wept
- Divine power joined with human compassion
- Groaning in the spirit at death's ravages
IV. The power demonstrated
- "Lazarus, come forth"
- Raised yet bound in graveclothes
- "Loose him, and let him go"
Christ is not merely a comforter about death but the conqueror of death itself. Do you believe this? Trust Him today, and let Him loose whatever graveclothes of the old life still bind you.
Key points
- Christ Himself is the resurrection and the life, not merely a future promise.
- Divine power and human compassion are perfectly united in Jesus.
- Believers raised to new life must still be loosed from old habits.
Key passages
- John 11:25-26
- John 11:35
- John 11:43-44
- 1 Corinthians 15:20