March 14
Bible Reading: John 11:38-44
John 11:43, “He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, COME OUT!’”
John 11:44, “The man who had died CAME OUT.”
Lazarus died. They wrapped him in grave clothes and laid him in a cave. A stone, lying against the entrance, kept the stench of his rotting corpse from reaching the nostrils of the living (John 11:39). Jesus approached the tomb. His surprising command, “Take away the stone,” was met with reluctant concern: “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days” (John 11:39). Lazarus was dead and gone, buried, and rotting away when Jesus called him forth. After removing the stone, Jesus offered a prayer of thanks to God (John 11:41-42). “He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out’ (John 11:43) and Lazarus “came out” (John 11:44). At His command, He imparted life. At His command, Lazarus came forth.
The lost sinner is dead in his sins (Ephesians 2:1). Physically, he may walk and breathe, but spiritually speaking, he is as lifeless as Lazarus lying in that grave, utterly helpless to do anything to rectify his lost condition (Romans 5:6). But Jesus, who has life in Himself, is the resurrection and the life (John 5:26, 11:25). Those who trust in Him as Savior and Lord instantaneously pass “from death to life” (John 5:24).
How wonderful the day, believer, when Jesus called you forth from your sin-darkened sepulcher! Your first birth anticipated future death; re-birth brought eternal life. Identified with Christ in His death, you were “made alive together” with Him (Ephesians 2:5; Galatians 2:20).
“Death and the grave are never satisfied” (Proverbs 27:20, CEV), but they will gain no satisfaction in the death of one of His redeemed. He who called Lazarus from his tomb and rose triumphantly from His own, will call us forth from ours. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Lazarus came forth from his tomb in earthly garb, but in Jesus’ return, the believer will experience a more glorious exodus in which He “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Loved ones in Christ have departed us. But the Day of Christ’s return draws near. He will “descend from heaven with a cry of command…and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
He cried out to Lazarus and Lazarus came forth. He will come from heaven with a shout and the dead in Christ will rise up to meet Him. Jesus, the Life-Giver, has the power to do that. He emptied Lazarus’ tomb and will empty countless others in His return. He says, “come forth” and they do.
“Death and the grave are never satisfied” (Proverbs 27:20, CEV), but they will gain no satisfaction in the death of one of Christ’s redeemed.
AND CAN IT BE?
And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me. [Refrain]
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain]
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own. [Refrain]
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