“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
So many things stand out as I read this passage. I could write a book on just this! The obvious is the miraculous healing of Lazarus! A dead man now alive. It’s remarkable how this foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection. He who was dead, inside a tomb– coming back to life. I imagine those watching were absolutely floored!
I also find is enlightening that it was a rolling stone tomb like the one Jesus was buried in. This was customary for the Jews to let the body decompose in this tomb before putting the bones in a stone box. As Jesus approaches Lazarus’ tomb — “It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance,” he said said, “Take away the stone.” Why did he ask for them to do it? Why not just move it himself? Because it was too large for one person. I’ve seen a replica of the first century rolling stone tombs and they are massive. Jesus couldn’t, in his human strength, do it by himself. And so, “They” (more than one person) “took away the stone.”
In light of his own resurrection, the stone was removed by the power of the Lord! He was asleep after being taken from the cross and then removed the stone by himself in his bloodied, beaten and broken state. If he couldn’t do it here for Lazarus, then he surely didn’t when he was dead! (i.e. the Lord did it for him!)
Another thing that sticks out is Martha who complained earlier–“Lord if you were here he would not have died.” Now, she is was lacking faith when Jesus asked for the stone to be removed. Martha says, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” In other words– Jesus, there’s no point! Lazarus is dead! Her faith failed her at the moment of her greatest need.
Lastly, Jesus prays aloud to his Father for the benefit of the hearers and then says, “Lazarus, come out!” As a result, “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.” Not a bad resurrection miracle indeed!
What he learn is Jesus is full of faith, a man of his word and the Son of God. He has the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. If he has these powers, how much more can he restored your wrecked life and redeem your withering soul! Let Jesus heal you. Call upon him as Martha did. Receive his blessed as Lazarus did and let he who brought life to the dead give hope to your heart in your time of need.
“O Lord God, thank you for this narrative of your amazing works and miraculous deeds. Lazarus eventually died a normal death but I bet he wasn’t worried at all. He who had tasted death was again restored to life. Thank you Lord for loving us. Thank you for your own death on the cross and resurrection. I praise you Holy Spirit that you live within me and help me overcome sin, death and defeat. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen