Lazarus

He has been anointed unto death, Judas has acted upon his indignation and Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem for the last time in His earthly ministry.

But scripture takes some time to tell us more about Lazarus. Lazarus is only mentioned here in John’s gospel (there is reference to a beggar named Lazarus in Lukes gospel, but there is no evidence they are the same).

We will notice some important elements that stand out with Lazarus that should be reflected in the life of every believer

His Resurrection

It would come as no surprise that Jesus was highly sought after because of the MANY wonderful works He accomplished.

Matthew 15:30–31 AV 1873

30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31 insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Scripture even records that these things are a fulfillment of the prophesied Messiah

Isaiah 35:4–6 AV 1873

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: Behold, your God will come with vengeance, Even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert.

But the miracle that had been accomplished a few days prior would be very different indeed! Having power to heal is wonderful, having power to bring back from death is miraculous!

teaches us that there is no man that has power over the day of death. No man is able to avoid death [appointed unto man once to die]

So for Jesus to give life to that which was once dead proved that He was God!

Acts 4:12 AV 1873

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Lazarus would now be a different person because Jesus gave him new life!

We should also reflect this new life that we are given at salvation.

Ephesians 2:1–10 AV 1873

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

passed from light to darkness

His Fellowship

we see Lazarus was seated with Christ and supping with Him.

When Jesus enters our life, we are not only passing from death unto life [] but we also have a new fellowship.

Our fellowship with Him is ordained by God

It would do us well to remember that when we fellowship with Christ, there will be a noticeable difference

1 John 1:3–7 AV 1873

3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

You can always tell who someone has been spending time with simply by their actions and speech. Beth always accuses me of having a very “thick” accent after I have spent considerable time talking with my family on the phone.

When we spend time talking with and listening to and watching someone, often we start to mimic (unintentionally) their mannerisms and habits. The same is true when you have been spending time with Christ, people can tell.

Romans 6:4 AV 1873

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Encourages us to remember that we are resurrected in baptism to new life. Therefore we should try to live as Christ lived!

His Testimony

John 12:10–11 AV 1873

10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Two key points stand out as we come to a close on this portion of scripture.

Lazarus life provoked the unbelievers

The very fact that Lazarus was alive because of Jesus was enough to cause the chief priests to seek his life.

Jesus reminded His followers

1 John 3:12–13 AV 1873

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Reminds us that Cain killed Abel because he was righteous. The world cannot stand righteousness, this is why it attempts to mock right living and label it as politically incorrect.

John 7:7 AV 1873

7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

The world hates Christ and if we are saved, the world hates the Jesus in you!

Lazarus life pointed people to Jesus

shows that Lazarus life would be a wonderful testimony of the power of Christ over death. Thus leading many people to Jesus.

Does your life point people to Christ?

Have you passed from death unto life? Should you not walk in light instead of darkness? Should the world not hate you because you testify of Christ? Should you not reflect that you have spent time with the Saviour?

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