Lazarus the Living... John 11 & 12

THE VOICE THAT WILL BE HEARD BY THE DEAD! --  by Dale Williamson

It is not uncommon for loved ones to speak to one in the casket or later in the grave. Such practice no doubt serves as an emotional outlet for the bereaved. 

There is one whose voice will penetrate the grave and be HEARD BY THE DEAD. I speak of the voice of Jesus. To Lazarus, who had been dead four days, Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth," and Lazarus came forth. The voice of Jesus is the voice of a Shepherd, Friend, Physician, Savior and Lord.

First we notice that Jesus speaks to those who are spiritually dead--physically alive but spiritually dead in sins and trespasses. Jesus came "that {we} might have life, and that {we} might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus states that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live. Paul writes "You He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1 NKJV). When we hear the voice of Jesus speaking through the gospel and we hear and listen to that voice, we shall walk in the newness of life.

In John 5:28 Jesus says: "Marvel not at these" (the reference to the spiritually dead hearing and living.) Now he turns to those who are physically dead. "Those who are in their graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (See John 5:29). 

A bit of research about LAZARUS:

• Except for 'beggar Lazarus' -- a different person in Luke 16 -- all references to "Lazarus" are in John 11 and 12.
• His name occurs eleven times in John 11 & 12
• He is not mentioned in any other gospel, nor in the epistles
• His presence is the "driving force" behind the "Triumphal Entry that begins the famous "last week" -- see John 12:14-18

But, interestingly enough.......

• He is not mentioned before John 11.
• He is not mentioned after John 12.
• His faith is never mentioned.
• His actions are never described.
• His fame comes only from WHAT JESUS DID!
• Is there a lesson in that for us?

• Let’s look at the events that swirled around him

John 11:1-42

• In John 11:1-42, "Lazarus" is found four times
• v. 1 and 2: Lazarus was sick
• v. 5: Brother to Mary/Martha and is loved by Jesus
• v. 11: Jesus says he is a friend -- goes to "wake him"
• v. 14: Jesus says Lazarus is dead
• v. 43: Jesus calls his name to bring him from death
• Let’s pick up the full story at verse 43

Lazarus the Living...… John 11:43-57

• 43 And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."
• 44 He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings; and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
• 45 Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him.
• 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.
• 47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs.
• 48 "If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
• 49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,
• 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish."
• 51 Now this he did not say on his own initiative; but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
• 52 and not for the nation only, but that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
• 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.
• 54 Jesus therefore no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.
• 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover, to purify themselves.
• 56 Therefore they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another, as they stood in the temple, "What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?"
• 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him. (NAS)

Lazarus the Living... John 12:1-2

• 1 Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
• 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. (KJV)

Lazarus the Living... John 12:9-18

• 9 The great multitude therefore of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.
• 10 But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus to death also;
• 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus. (NAS)
• 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.
• 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"
• 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
• 15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
• 16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.
• 17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.
• 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.

Lazarus the Living...
… John 11 & 12

• What can we learn from his "fan club" -- John 12:17?

When Dr. Will H. Houghton was at Calvary Church in New York City, a glib-tongued -- but poorly dressed -- salesman came into his study and offered him some oil stocks that he said would make him a fortune. Dr. Houghton looked at the man and said in substance, "If this stock is as good as you say, why aren't you rich? You come in here in a shabby suit, with shoes run down at the heels, and expect me to believe you represent a going concern? I suggest you get into some line of work that produces representatives who inspire more confidence in their product."

• LET'S BE LIKE THEM ... AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD!!