John 11:43-44 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.… The significance of this mighty deed we cannot over estimate, for it is, on the one hand, a profoundly significant symbol of Christ's redemption, and, on the other, a signal testimony to His right and power to redeem. Whether we regard it as a symbol or a witness, it is equally noteworthy. This great transaction was — I. AN EMINENT EMBLEM OF CHRIST'S REGENERATING AND SOUL-QUICKENING WORK; and that both in the details and in the substance. The details if followed out make an almost complete allegory of spiritual resurrection. The sinner, like Lazarus, is dead, buried, we may say already corrupt and loathsome. Christ comes Himself to the sinner's tomb. He bids, "Take away the stone." He calls His servants to ply all preliminary means. He sends His agents to warn and teach. But when all this is done there is no life till He calls. He cries with a loud voice. It is the "effectual call" of His Word and Spirit. The man hears, the dead lives, the soul is converted. Then comes in the use of means. Let the living help their new-raised brother — "Loose ye him and let him go." 1. The Divine element in the transaction. The mighty shout which raised Lazarus of Bethany was not the prayer of a mortal. It was the command of God. The Divine will is first cause, without the intervention, in the act itself, of any second cause whatever. 2. This power which raises the dead is the power of God in the voice of Jesus. The Father hath given all things into His hands. The spiritual resurrection is going on. One rises and leaves his lusts and base passions, and becomes a sober, true, God-fearing man. Another leaves his poor legal strivings and becomes a humble debtor to the grace of God for righteousness. Another rises from the tomb of doubt — that "creeping palsy of the mind, despair of truth" — and sits clothed at the Redeemer's feet. II. A SUPREME TESTIMONY TO THE DIVINITY AND GLORY OF JESUS. (J. Laidlaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.WEB: When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" |
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