Volume 3 Issue 4

LAZARUS, COME FORTH!

“H

e (Jesus) cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’” (John 11:43) It would be helpful if you took the time to read the entirety of John chapter 11 or have the Bible open before you as we study this story. It is one of the most beautiful stories in the entire Bible and during this time of the year when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, much can be learned from taking a closer look at the resurrection of Lazarus, a resurrection that prefigured that of Jesus Himself. The nuances in this story become apparent as we look beneath the familiar words that are likely well known to some and perhaps completely unknown to others. Either way the lessons to be learned are many, and some, profound.

We begin by quoting the first verse: “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.” (John 11:1) This may not seem very important, but when we look at what the names, Bethany, Mary, and Martha mean (the meaning of Lazarus’ name will be revealed later), we see a picture emerge that fits the scene. Bethany, where they lived, can mean either “House of Dates” or “House of MISERY”. The current context lends itself to a “house of misery”. Obviously, when someone is terminally ill, misery is an emotion that can permeate the atmosphere. Nevertheless, the “house of dates” meaning lends itself well also in that the leaves of the palm tree from which the dates are harvested were used in Biblical times to represent victory and peace, two fruits that become quite evident when the story of Lazarus ends. Though the beginning of the story is one of misery, the end is newness of life. Indeed, the story of Lazarus can be summed up in the verse, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11) The discipline that Mary and Martha faced was severe, but the end result was worth the cost.

The name “Mary” means “their REBELLION”; “Martha” means “she was REBELLIOUS”. The names carry with them the thought of sorrow and grief. Knowing this allows us to begin to visualize what is happening at the very beginning of the story. First, they live in misery. The reason is because they are rebellious. (Please understand. This story actually happened as it is written in the Bible. I am only attempting to more fully understand and explain what God has concealed within the story. The Bible is a physical book of stories, but it is also a SPIRITUAL book and within its pages the Holy Spirit can reveal truths not discernible to the casual reader.)

Rebellion is a very serious offense. It was rebellion against God’s command in the Garden of Eden to not eat the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that brought about the fall of creation. Rebellion is the outward act of putting our will above that of the Lord’s. The Israelites rebelled against Moses for forty years in the Wilderness and it cost them the inheritance of the Promised Land. When Samuel told King Saul, at the bidding of the Lord, to go to war against the Amalekites, he was to wipe them out entirely. He did not do that. Instead, he spared the king of the Amalekites and some of the livestock to use for sacrifice to the Lord. When Samuel discovered this he said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF DIVINATION, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Sam 15:22-23) That is a severe judgment. Saul thought what he was doing was good, but he acted outside the will of God; it cost him the kingdom.

This was the condition of Mary and Martha’s spirits. They are symbolic of the soul (feminine). They were disciples of Jesus and they loved Him and He they, but all was not right. They represent Christians who have asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, but have not totally turned over every facet of their lives to Him. Their love for Jesus is genuine, but they find themselves miserable at times and sense that something is standing between them and a full, uninhibited relationship with Him. The result is the sickness and subsequent death of Lazarus, who is symbolic of the spirit (masculine). Yet, the death of Lazarus seems to contradict Jesus’ statement in John 11:4, “This sickness is not unto death.” The fact is Lazarus did die. Was Jesus, therefore, mistaken? No. The word “unto” is the Greek “pros” and is a preposition of DIRECTION implying forward or toward. Jesus knew Lazarus would die, but He also knew death was not the direction his sickness was ULTIMATELY leading to, but to LIFE, as we will see.

“The sisters therefore sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.’” (John 11:3) The word used for “love” here is “phileo” and speaks of a brotherly love or affection that is based upon feelings or sentiment, but John 11:5 tells us “Jesus LOVED Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” The word used here is “agapao” and it speaks of a divine, self-sacrificing love. This type of love does not depend upon feelings or the worthiness of the one loved; it is an act of will. What these two verses are trying to tell us is that Jesus loves us more than we know. He not only loves us as a brother or sister or other family member or has an affection for us, but that He loves us enough to die for us, to sacrifice Himself even though we do not deserve such love.

How did Jesus express this love? By letting Lazarus die. “When therefore He heard that he was sick, He STAYED THEN TWO DAYS LONGER in the place where He was.” (John 11:6) That would seem to be a strange way to show love to someone. How would you react to the news of someone you love more than life itself was sick and you had the power to heal them? There would not be a mode of transportation fast enough to get you there. Yet, it was LOVE that motivated Jesus’ delay. It did not appear to be love to Mary and Martha or the Jews who came to mourn with them over Lazarus’ death; nor was it likely His disciples understood His actions. In fact, the disciples probably thought Jesus’ hesitation in going to Lazarus was motivated by His fear of being killed. This is hinted at when, after the two days, Jesus told His disciples they should return to Judea (where Bethany is located) and the disciples said, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” (John 11:8). Sick or not, Lazarus was not their primary concern, Jesus’ safety and their safety was. Jesus responded to their fears by telling them there is a time provided by God to fulfill His will in a way that honors Him and insures that they will not fail the test of faith that comes with obeying Him, and a time that will result in failure. If the disciples had urged Jesus to go to Lazarus immediately upon hearing the news of his sickness they would have been walking in darkness, not knowing the will of God, and failure would have been the result. Following the lead of Jesus was the only way to ensure success.

Jesus then tells His disciples something that added fuel to their argument for not going to Judea. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep.” (John 11:11) The disciples naturally thought that sleep was good for Lazarus and would lead to his recovery. If such were the case, why put Jesus and themselves in harm’s way? Like so much of what Jesus said, they misunderstood what He meant. Thus, Jesus plainly told them, “Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:14) This did not comfort His disciples much. Why would Jesus risk death for the sake of a dead man? Yet, they sensed that Jesus was determined to go and they resigned themselves to their fate. “Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, THAT WE MAY DIE WITH HIM.’” (John 11:16) So much for encouragement; Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, but all the disciples could see was a mistake He was about to make. This spirit of discouragement or attitude of fatalism is further emphasized in this passage when we discover that the name “Thomas” or “Didymus” means TWIN. It is difficult enough to have someone close to you who questions your decisions in life and makes you feel as if they will suffer unnecessarily because of them, but to have this same sentiment echoed by others, a twin if you will, makes doing the right thing increasingly more difficult. Negative people are rarely alone in their opinions; they can always find a “twin” that thinks as they do. This was the spirit Jesus faced from those closest to Him. It would have been easier for Jesus to tell them what the plan was, to tell them He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Instead, He said, “I am GLAD for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” (John 11:15) Though His disciples misunderstood Jesus actions, it was better that way. Jesus was willing to be looked upon in an unfavorable light if that would benefit His followers.

“So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb FOUR days.” (John 11:17) Four is the number for the world, for CREATION. Traditionally, the world was about FOUR thousand years old at the time of Jesus’ incarnation. This is significant when we begin to piece this story together from a spiritual perspective. Remember, Mary and Martha, being female, represent the soul; Lazarus, being male, represents the spirit. Also, Mary and Martha symbolize the REBELLION of the soul, which manifests itself in following its own will rather than God’s will. What is happening in the story of Lazarus is a spiritual recreation of the fall of mankind.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, “You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.”’ And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely shall not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.” (Genesis 3:1-7) Do you see the similarities? Eve, the woman, the soul, rebelled against the command of God and ate the fruit. She in turn gave it to Adam, the man, the spirit, and he ate, bringing about, not instantaneous PHYSICAL death, but instantaneous SPIRITUAL death. This is what the death of Lazarus symbolizes. He became sick and when Jesus did not immediately intervene to heal him he died. Likewise, when Adam and Eve fell into sin they became “sick” and when God did not immediately intervene to “heal” them, their spiritual death became a physical reality. God could have done something at the beginning of mankind’s “sickness”, but that was not God’s will. Indeed, “the creation was subjected to futility, NOT OF ITS OWN WILL, but because of Him who subjected it, IN HOPE that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21) Just as Jesus delayed coming to Lazarus’ aid while he was alive, and was misunderstood for doing so, and INTENTIONALLY let him die in order for God’s will to be fulfilled, the fall of mankind was NOT an accident, and the purpose for it has been misunderstood also. God had planned for and orchestrated the fall from the beginning.

Jesus delayed FOUR days while Lazarus lay sick, waiting for him not only to die, but also to be dead long enough for anyone to be able to deny it. Mankind lay “sick” from the fall, but God waited FOUR thousand years to bring Jesus on the scene to redeem mankind. The delay was necessary to show man that apart from God there is no way to be “healed” from sin. All of man’s knowledge and RELIGION could not change his sinful nature. Just as King Saul’s rebellion had cost him the Israelite kingdom, man’s rebellion had cost him the Kingdom of God. For four thousand years he tried to recover the relationship with God that had been severed in the Garden of Eden, but was unsuccessful. Mankind could not longer say with any assurance that hope existed for restoring what had been lost for it became obvious that “you were DEAD in your trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) Thus, the cry went forth, “Awake, SLEEPER, and arise from the DEAD, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14) How? “Truly, truly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24)

Do we believe this, or do we think it is too late? Do we believe there was a time when God could have saved mankind, but not anymore? Listen to Martha when she met Jesus as He came near her house: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) Mary echoes these words in verse 32. Lazarus had been dead four days; his body had begun the process of decomposition; he stank. Hope for him was gone. All that remained were questions as to why. Why did Jesus delay in coming? Did Jesus not truly love him? Was He unwilling to heal him? We can look back on the story and answer those questions in Jesus’ favor. He delayed in coming so Lazarus would die, SO THAT He could raise him from the dead; He did it from love; He was willing not only to heal a sick man, but also raise a dead man. Yet, from Martha and Mary’s perspec-tive Jesus had failed them by not responding in the time or way they thought correct. He tried to assure them that everything was under control. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” (John 11:25-26) Do you? We say we do, but our actions betray us much of the time. Even with this word from Jesus, Mary and Martha along with the Jews gathered around them, continued to mourn and weep. Seeing this, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) NOT because He felt sorrow at the death of Lazarus, but because of the UNBELIEF of those that surrounded Him. Some of the Jews took Jesus’ tears in a positive light; they were a sign of His love for Lazarus. Others, however, openly criticized Him. “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have kept this man also from dying?” (John 11:37) This attitude is so true to form for so many, even among Christians. We hear the promises of God, we see His mercies in our lives, we go to church and hear His word taught and explained to us, we read the Bible and pray, and yet we continue to question His motives and actions, to the point sometimes that it borders on blasphemy. This can do nothing but grief the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ response to the tears of Mary and Martha was to go to the tomb of Lazarus. Once there He told them to remove the stone. Martha objected to this because she knew Lazarus would stink by now. “Jesus said to her, ‘DID I NOT SAY TO YOU, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40) Thus chastened, the stone was removed. Jesus said a prayer out loud, not to ensure God heard Him, but so those standing around could hear it and have their faith bolstered. At the end of the prayer “He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ 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.’ (John 11:43-44) Sadness turned to joy and the tears that had come because of grief now flowed freely amidst laughter. Gone were the doubts of Jesus’ goodness; gone were the questions concerning Jesus’ motives for allowing Lazarus to die. Lazarus died so that he might live again and with his resurrection, belief in Jesus was solidified for many, though all some could do was rush to the Pharisees and report what had been done. The hardness of their hearts was great.

To fulfill the spiritual picture of Lazarus’ death and resurrection it is necessary to reveal what the name, Lazarus, means. It means “HELPLESS”. It is an apt name. During this whole story Lazarus plays a completely PASSIVE role. He did not send for Jesus to heal him, his sisters did. He did not roll away the stone from his tomb, the bystanders did. He did not even remove his own grave clothes, again, the bystanders did. Lazarus symbolizes the helplessness creation, and we, face when we try to save ourselves. Only when our rebellious souls (Mary and Martha) begin the search for Jesus and we submit to His will, forsaking our own, will we experience being born-again. Only when we realize that we are unable to open the door that separates us from God will it be opened at His command. Only when we realize we are incapable of removing the stench and smell of death that clings to us, our “grave clothes”, and allow those who have been commanded by God to do so, will we live in newness of life. Jesus did His part. “For while we were still HELPLESS, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) Now it is time for us to do our part. Having been born-again, we are commanded to roll the stone away so that others might hear the voice of the Master say, “Come forth”; we are commanded to removed the “grave clothes” of the newly born-again and cloth them instead in the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Pharisees heard Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, they said, “If we let Him go on like this, ALL MEN will believe in Him.” (John 11:48) Truer words were never spoken. For in fact, that is precisely what will happen. They killed Jesus in order to stop Him, but failed. “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation TO ALL MEN, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life TO ALL MEN. For as through the one man's disobedience THE MANY were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One THE MANY will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19) All that was lost in the fall will be restored, even if we do not believe it or understand how. The resurrection of Lazarus offers us a glimpse into this truth and the resurrection of Jesus sealed it.

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