JOHN 11 1 44 FREE
Of course, I agree that salvation is by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone - free from any works performed by the one receiving the gift of eternal life. Many Christians believe salvation is a works-free process in which a person repents and believes the gospel, and as a result, receives the free gift of eternal life. Man does not participate in his salvation, and the story of Lazarus serves as a beautiful illustration of this profound and essential truth. “Salvation belongs to the Lord your blessing be on your people,” (Psalm 3:9 see also Jonah 2:9). “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind,” (Ephesians 2:1-3).
That is the case with every person who is not born again. Lazarus was not only dead physically, but apart from saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he was also spiritually dead.
Lazarus’ physical condition was consistent with his spiritual condition, and it is consistent with the spiritual condition of every human being before God sovereignly and graciously saves him or her. What could Lazarus have done four days after his death to bring himself back to life? Could he have willed himself to start breathing again? Could he have told his heart, “Beat?” Of course not. His body, after four days in the tomb, would likely have begun to show signs of decay. This is something only Almighty God could do. And finally, Jesus brought a dead man back to life. Jesus assured Martha that those who, by faith, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ would never experience spiritual death. Jesus knew Lazarus would come back to life. Jesus knew Lazarus had died before anyone told him. There are several points in this story that attest to the deity of Christ. What happened next is the miraculous, bodily resurrection of Lazarus. He asked to be taken where Lazarus was buried. Jesus assured them that their brother would rise again. They were disappointed and said that if Jesus, had he arrived sooner, their brother would have lived. When Jesus arrived, both Mary and Martha came to him. Jesus said, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake, I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. In so doing, Jesus gave yet another example of his deity, through His omniscience. Along the way, Jesus told his disciples that Lazarus had died.
JOHN 11 1 44 FULL
He delayed two full days before making his way to his sick friend.
But Jesus did not rush to Lazarus’ bedside. Lazarus became very ill, so the sisters sent for Jesus, hoping he would heal their brother. This is one of the best-known stories of the New Testament, even among those who do not profess to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:38-44). 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 has 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. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 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. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb.
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