At the End of Ourselves
When Jesus stood before Lazarus’ tomb, Martha said, “Lord, by this time he stinketh” (John 11:39). Lazarus had been dead four days, and humanly speaking, the situation was beyond hope. That's often the point the Lord allows us to come to before He does His work. When we come to the end of ourselves, we are able to see God’s power more clearly.
Jesus reminded Martha, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (v. 40). The Lord had not delayed because He lacked compassion. He delayed so the glory of God could be revealed. Sometimes the Lord allows matters to move beyond our strength so we finally understand that the answer was never in us to begin with.
The Stone, the Prayer, and the Perfect Son
Verse 41 says, “Then they took away the stone.” It was a great stone, a picture of finality and helplessness. Even if Lazarus had somehow lived, he could not remove it himself. Spiritually, mankind is no different. Those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1) cannot free themselves.
Then Jesus lifted His eyes and prayed, "...thou hast heard me," showing the perfect unity between Himself and the Father. Christ prayed fully according to the Father’s will, and therefore the Father always heard Him (cf. John 8:29, 1 John 5:14).
Verse 42 reminds us why the Father always heard the Son: there was no sin in Christ. Our sins separate us from God (Isa. 59:2), and “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). But Christ is perfectly holy, perfectly obedient, perfectly aligned with the Father’s will. This reflects the truth Jesus declared elsewhere: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).
Jesus also said these things openly “that they may believe.” The Lord gives understanding so people may believe (1 John 5:20). God sent His Son into the world in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4), not merely to teach men, but to deliver them.
Come Forth
Then came the command: “Lazarus, come forth” (v. 43). The voice of Christ called life out of death itself. It is a foretaste of that future day when the Lord shall descend with a shout and the dead shall rise.
“And he that was dead came forth” (v. 44). What a picture of salvation. Jesus had already declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). Spiritually dead sinners are made alive through Him.
Yet Lazarus came forth still “bound hand and foot,” with a napkin covering his face. Sin leaves mankind in bondage and blindness from birth. But Jesus said, “Loose him, and let him go.” Christ not only gives life; He gives freedom. He opens blind eyes, brings prisoners out of darkness (Isa. 42:7), and leads His people into the abundant life He promised in John 10:10.
Sometimes the Lord allows us to stand before impossible situations so we will finally see that resurrection power belongs to Him alone.
