To The Worn-Out Heart Jesus Says, Come Forth
Introduction
I’m beginning a series of sermons this morning on some of the invitations of Jesus.
I’m sure most of us have at one point or another received an invitation – perhaps to a birthday party, or a wedding, an anniversary celebration, or maybe a baby shower.
It’s exciting to receive such an invitation, but truly the most thrilling invitations that I’ve found are in the New Testament scriptures. They are the invitations that Jesus issued. They are the Calls of Christ. They are the Savior’s Summons’. It’s on my heart to deal in the next few weeks with some of these Christly Calls, and especially those that are marked by the usage of the word “Come.”
The first one that we will deal with is found in our text for this service, John 11:43 where Jesus “cried with a loud voice” saying, “Lazarus, come forth.”
The great Baptist theologian of the 1700’s, John Gill said…
He calls him by his name, not only as being his friend, and known by him, but to distinguish him from any other corpse that might lie interred in the same cave; and he bids him come forth out of the cave
Others have speculated that if Jesus had not specified Lazarus, that every corpse in every grave in the whole world would have risen in obedience to the command “Come forth.”
In the last church that I pastored, I was told a story about a man who had attended the church years earlier. And this man came to a revival service one night, but that day he had been working around some yard equipment, and he had breathed in too many fumes from the fuel that day, so that during the course of the service, he passed out. The first face he saw when he came to was the face of the man who had been sitting behind him. And that man happened to be a Mr. Cumby who was the owner of the local funeral home. Well the man that had passed out was so disturbed to see the face of the mortician that he passed out again.
I wonder if the first face that Lazarus saw when he came out of the grave and the napkin was removed was the One who had invited him to “Come” out of the grave to begin with.
This great event of John chapter 11 is truly one of the great miracles, not just in the Gospel of John or in the New Testament, but of the entire Bible. And yet, it only offers us a suggestive view of the greatest miracle of all, which is the miracle of salvation.
We’re talking about a man who passed from death unto life. We’re talking about a man whose heart had stopped beating. But to the worn-out heart, Jesus was able to say, “Come Forth!”
As we consider this wonderful account in God’s Word…
I. Let’s Notice The Passing Of Lazarus
A. Consider His Diseased Body
1. He Was Certainly Sick
(John 11:1-2) Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. {2} (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
sick – Greek 770. astheneo, as-then-eh'-o; from G772; to be feeble (in any sense):--be diseased, impotent folk (man), (be) sick, (be, be made) weak.
sick – Greek NT:770. asthenoon; to be weak, feeble; universally, to be without strength, powerless; sick.
(From Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
2. He Was Critically Sick
(John 11:3) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
behold – Greek 2396. ide, id'-eh; second pers. sing. imper. act. of G1492; used as interjection to denote surprise; lo!:-- lo, see.
He was so sick that the sisters wanted the Miracle Worker to take notice of it.
(John 11:37) And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
These who are speaking seem to indicate that Lazarus was a worst case scenario, but that Jesus could have healed him, “even this man,” as sick as he was.
B. Consider His Dead Body
1. His Death Is Mentioned Clearly
See John 11:11-14
(John 11:14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
plainly – Greek 3954. parrhesia, par-rhay-see'-ah; from G3956 and a der. of G4483; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance:--bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, freely, openly, plainly (-ness).
2. His Death Is Mentioned Consistently
(John 11:13) Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
(John 11:14) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
(John 11:21) Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
(John 11:32) Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
(John 11:37) And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
(John 11:39) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
(John 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.
(John 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.
C. Consider His Decaying Body
1. Think About The Extent Of Death’s Hold Here
(John 11:17) Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
(John 11:39) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John Gill wrote…
It seems as if she had no notion that Christ was about to raise her brother from the dead; and that the stone was commanded to be removed for that purpose, not merely for a sight of the dead, but that the dead might be seen to come forth alive: she imagined that Christ only wanted to have the stone removed, that he might have a sight of his deceased friend, which she thought would be very disagreeable and nauseous. … The Jews say, that “for three days the soul goes to the grave, thinking the body may return; but when it sees the figure of the face changed, it goes away, and leaves it…” So of Jonah’s being three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, they say “these are the three days a man is in the grave, and his bowels burst; and after three days that defilement is turned upon his face.” Hence, they do not allow anyone to bear witness of one that is dead or killed, that he is such an one, after three days, because then his countenance is changed, and he cannot be well known.
stinketh – Greek 3605. ozo, od’-zo; a primary verb (in a strengthened form); to scent (usually an ill “odor”).
2. Think About The Examples Of Death’s Hold Elsewhere
Arthur Pink said in his Exposition of the Gospel of John…
It is true that Christ had raised the dead before, but even here the climax is again to be seen. Mark records the raising of Jairus’ daughter, but she had only just died. Luke tells of the raising of the widow’s son of Nain, but he had not been buried. But here, in the case of Lazarus, not only had the dead man been placed in the sepulcher, but corruption had already begun to consume the body.
a. This Daughter Was Recently Dead
(Mark 5:22-23) And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, {23} And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
(Mark 5:35-42) While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? {36} As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. {37} And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. {38} And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. {39} And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. {40} And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. {41} And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. {42} And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
b. This Son Was Rigor Mortis Dead (“Day Old Dead” – Like “Day Old Bread”)
(Luke 7:11-15) And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. {12} Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. {13} And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. {14} And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. {15} And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
c. This Brother (Lazarus) Was Real Dead (Four Days In The Grave = Graveyard Dead)
C. H. Spurgeon said…
Lazarus had been dead four days. When a man has newly died he might seem to resemble an engine just now in full action, and now though motionless, the valves, wheels, and bands are still there: only rekindle the fire and reapply the motive force and the machinery will work. But when corruption comes, valves displaced, wheels broken, metal eaten away, what can be done now? … There are some who are symbolized by this case, who are altogether abominable. The pure mind desires to have them put out of sight. It does not seem possible to restore them to purity, honesty, or hope. But when the Lord makes them live, the most skeptical are obliged to confess “this is the finger of God.” However far a man may be gone he is not beyond the Lord’s arm of mighty mercy. (From The Biblical Illustrator)
In other words, you can’t be too dead for the Lord to raise you up. And you can’t be too lost for the Lord to save you. And you can’t be too far gone for the Lord to help you.
II. Let’s Notice The Presence Of The Lord
Jesus had delayed His coming for the glory of His Father and for the good of His friends.
A. He Brought Clarity
1. He Made It Clear That He Was Light And He Works In Spite Of Darkness
(John 11:7-10) Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. {8} His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? {9} Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. {10} But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
2. He Made It Clear That He Was Life And He Works In Spite Of Death
(John 11:23-26) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. {24} Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. {25} Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: {26} And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
B. He Brought Comfort
“And indeed,” as George Whitefield said, “they stood in much need of consolation.”
1. There Is Comfort In His Distinctiveness – Who He Is
(John 11:27) She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
2. There Is Comfort In His Deeds – What He Does
(John 11:28-29) And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. {29} As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly (without delay, suddenly, readily), and came unto him.
come – Greek 3918. pareimi, par'-i-mee; from G3844 and G1510 (includ. its various forms); to be near, i.e. at hand; neut. pres. part. (sing.) time being, or (plur.) property:--come, X have, be here, + lack, (be here) present.
calleth for – Greek 5455. phoneo, fo-neh'-o; from G5456; to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by impl. to address in words or by name, also in imitation:--call (for), crow, cry.
C. He Brought Compassion
1. Observe His Term Of Compassion
(John 11:11) These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
friend – Greek 5384. philos, fee'-los; properly dear, i.e. a friend; act. fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.).
2. Observe His Tears Of Compassion
(John 11:33-36) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, {34} And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. {35} Jesus wept. {36} Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
weeping (vs. 33) – Greek 2799. klaio, klah'-yo; of uncert. affin.; to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas G1145 is rather to cry silently):--bewail. weep.
wept – Greek 1145. dakruo, dak-roo'-o; from G1144; to shed tears:--weep.
G. Campbell Morgan said…
“The Word made flesh,” weeping is a revelation of God’s sympathy, so quick, so sensitive. In a little while He will wipe all tears away; but while they are there, even though He will dry them, and end the sorrow, He enters into fellowship with the sorrow.
John Trapp said…
The love of Christ – “Behold how He loved him.” What? for shedding some few tears for him? Oh, how then did He love us for whom He shed the dearest and warmest blood in all His heart! (The Biblical Illustrator)
III. Let’s Notice The Power Of Life
A. Blessings Were Obvious
1. There Was The Blessing Of A Divine Relationship
(John 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.
Jesus went to the Father on Lazarus’ behalf, and He will intercede for you too!
2. There Was The Blessing Of A Dynamic Resurrection
(John 11:43-44) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. {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.
came forth (vs. 44) – Greek 1831. exerchomai, ex-er'-khom-ahee; from G1537 (from out of) and G2064 (to come or go); to issue (lit. or fig.):--come-(forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
B. Bondage Was Overcome
1. There Was The Bondage Of The Stone
(John 11:39) Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
(John 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.
stone – Greek 3037. lithos, lee'-thos; appar. a prim. word; a stone (lit. or fig.):--(mill-, stumbling-) stone.
Jesus wants us to remove any stumbling blocks that would impede dead sinners from coming out of the place of death.
John Gill said…
He that could command him to come forth, could have commanded away the stone, but he chose to have it removed this way, that the corpse might be seen, and even smelt; and that it might be manifest, there was no fallacy, nor any intrigue between him, and the sisters of the deceased in this matter: this order was contrary to a rule of the Jews, which forbid the opening of a grave after it was stopped up; but a greater than the fathers of the traditions was here, even he who has the keys of hell, or the grave, and can open, or order it to be opened, when he pleases.
2. There Was The Bondage Of The Shroud
(John 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.
Spurgeon said…
Why are these bandages left? Because Christ will not work an unnecessary miracle. … Men could do this, therefore Christ did not. That those who came to unwind Lazarus might be sure that he was the same man who died. That those disciples might enter into rare fellowship with Christ. It is sweet to do something with Christ for a saved person. It gives us such an interest in Him.
Spurgeon also said…
He was a moving man bound hard and foot. How he moved I do not know. Some of the old writers thought that he glided, as it were, through the air, and that this was part of the miracle.
Spurgeon went on to say…
See, here is a living man in the garments of death! That napkin and other grave-clothes were altogether congruous with death, but they were much out of place when Lazarus began again to live. It is a wretched sight to see a living man wearing his shroud. They are bound hand and foot, so that they are compelled to inaction; we can show them how to work for Jesus. Sometimes these bands are those of sorrow, they are in an awful terror about the past; we have to unbind them by showing that the past is blotted out. They are wrapped about by many a yard of doubt, mistrust, anguish, and remorse. “Loose them, and let them go.” Souls are very often bound with the grave-clothes of prejudice. They used to think so and so before conversion, and they are very apt to carry their dead thoughts into their new life. Go and tell them that things are not what they seem: that old things have passed away, and behold all things have become new.
C. Belief Was Operating
1. Consider The Believing Of The Man
(John 11:25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Perhaps as Lazarus was there in Abraham’s bosom in the heart of the earth, one of the other departed saints came to him and said, “The Master is come and calleth for thee.” And Lazarus excused himself and went back to the world of the living because he believed in Jesus.
2. Consider The Believing Of The Many
(John 11:45) Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
believed – Greek 4100. pisteuo, pist-yoo'-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication it means to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Conclusion: About sixteen years ago, I went to hear a singing group called The Bishops, and they sang a song called…
Lazarus Come Forth
Verse 1
Heartbroken, tears fallin’
Martha found Jesus
She questioned why Lazarus had died.
When she had thus spoken
Her doubts were then silenced
He walked toward the body and cried…
Chorus
Lazarus, come forth,
Awake like the morning
Arise with new hope,
A new life is born.
Lazarus, come forth,
From death now awaken,
For Jesus has spoken,
Death’s chains have been broken
Lazarus, come forth.
Verse 2
The tomb now was empty,
Martha stopped crying
Her brother now stood by her side.
The Pharisees wondered
About what had happened,
How could one now live who had died?
Verse 3
The reason this story
Gives hope to so many
Is although we know we must die,
Our bodies won't stay there
In cold and dark silence
We’ll hear Jesus cry from on high.
Chorus
Children come forth,
Awake like the morning
Arise with new hope,
A new life is born.
Children, come forth,
From death now awaken,
For Jesus has spoken,
Death’s chains have been broken
Children, come forth.
The raising of Lazarus gives us a great picture of regeneration and it gives us a foreshadowing of our own resurrection when Jesus comes again.
Is Jesus bidding you to “Come Forth” out of the realm of spiritual death?