We will hit these verses one more time. I pray we may find comfort in these thoughts today and see ourselves in Lazarus. I pray we take rest in a sovereign God speaking us from death and loosing our graveclothes of the flesh. I pray He may do these things that we may believe that Jesus is Lord.
Extra Credit: We see and know true comfort if one is elected and called by God. Charles Spurgeon question to you then is do you feel that comfort Are you chosen.
Jhn 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Jhn 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jhn 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Jhn 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
- Can you name some ways that we are in relationship to this resurrection (symbolically)?
‘Let us now turn from the whole passage with thoughts of comfort and consolation. Comfortable is the thought that the loving Savior of sinners, on whose mercy our souls entirely depend, is one who has all power in heaven, and earth, and is mighty to save. Comfortable is the thought that there is no sinner too far gone in sin for Christ to raise and convert. He that stood by the grave of Lazarus can say to the vilest of men, (Come forth loose him, and let him go.) Comfortable, not least, is the thought that when we ourselves lie down in the grave, we may lie down in the full assurance that we shall rise again. The voice that called Lazarus forth will one day pierce our tombs, and bid soul and body come together.’ - J. C. Ryle
There is true comfort found for those who love our Lord Jesus Christ, love His message, and are called according to His purpose. Though Ryles words do not necessarily imply and even if he did not agree, take heed my readers for there is comfort alone to those sinners whose souls entirely depend on His mercy. For we do not read that Jesus came and raised ALL that were dead but He came to this grave in His time and manor and called for Lazarus (whom He loved) by name.
