“When he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” – John 11:43
The Calling of Lazarus
When we hear the story of Lazarus, we are reminded that God has the power to call us out from the shadows of our lives. Lazarus’s resurrection signifies hope and invites us to reflect on how we respond to God’s calling. Just as Lazarus heard Jesus’ voice and came forth, we too are encouraged to listen attentively for God’s direction, understanding that He can bring new life to our situations. The story of Lazarus offers a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of faith. As we reflect on our lives, we are invited to consider how we can respond to the call of love, purpose, and renewed life.
John 11:43
“When he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ – John 11:43
John 11:44
“The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’ – John 11:44
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;’ – John 11:25
John 11:26
“And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ – John 11:26
Luke 7:14
“Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ – Luke 7:14
The Impact of Faith in Lazarus’ Life
We see through Lazarus’ story how the power of faith can create extraordinary change in our lives. Lazarus had a deep relationship with Jesus, and this connection was central to his revival. Through him, we learn the importance of trusting in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem hopeless. We can also reflect on how our faith in Jesus lays a foundation for miracles to unfold. As we walk through our own life challenges, much like Lazarus did, we have the opportunity to lean on our faith and trust that God can work miracles. Our belief is essential, as it strengthens our connection with God and guides us towards the light.
John 11:42
“I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ – John 11:42
Mark 5:36
“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’ – Mark 5:36
John 11:1
“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. – John 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1:6
The Love of Jesus for Lazarus
As we delve deeper into the narrative of Lazarus, we recognize the profound love that Jesus had for him and his sisters. The scripture mentions that Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, showing us the depth of His compassion. Jesus’ love reflects God’s heart toward us. This reminder lets us know that we are never alone in our struggles, as Jesus empathizes with our pain. His willingness to raise Lazarus signifies that His love has the power to conquer death, despair, and all our fears. We can draw comfort knowing that Jesus cares for us in our darkest moments and desires to offer us hope and restoration.
John 11:35
“Jesus wept. – John 11:35
John 11:3
“So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’ – John 11:3
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. – 1 John 3:1
John 13:1
“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. – John 13:1
The act of Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead is a testament to the resurrection power found in Christ. This resurrection encourages us to reflect on our own spiritual revivals. Lazarus was not only given physical life but was also restored to a community that mourned his absence. We, too, have the opportunity for renewal and to experience restoration in our lives. Just as Lazarus walked out of the tomb alive, we can step away from our own tombs of worry, grief, and sin into a fresh start. God invites us to embrace this restoration and transformation in faith, as the act of raising Lazarus shows us that God continuously operates in the realm of miracles.
John 11:43-44
“When he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped. – John 11:43-44
Isaiah 61:3
“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. – Isaiah 61:3
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Psalm 30:11
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. – Psalm 30:11
Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ – Revelation 21:4
The Witness of Lazarus
Lazarus’ story does not just end with his resurrection. His life became a testimony of God’s power and love, encouraging others to seek Jesus. We see that the miracle drawn from Lazarus’ life became a point of faith for those around him. Our lives, too, can be a testament to God’s grace as we share our experiences of His goodness. We can actively be witnesses to those around us, showing them the love of Jesus through our words and actions. Just as people admired and believed in Jesus because of Lazarus, we have the opportunity to influence others positively through our faith.
John 12:9
“Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. – John 12:9
John 12:11
“For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. – John 12:11
2 Timothy 1:8
“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. – 2 Timothy 1:8
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ – Acts 1:8
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
The Hope of Eternal Life
Lazarus’ resurrection points us towards the promise of eternal life that Jesus offers to all who believe. In witnessing Lazarus come back to life, we see a glimpse of the hope we have in Christ’s resurrection. This strengthens our belief that physical death is not the end. As we reflect on the story of Lazarus, we find assurance in Jesus’ promise that through Him, we have the freedom and hope of eternal life. It reminds us not to fear death, as it leads us to everlasting life with God. This promise brings peace, encouragement, and a joyful anticipation of what lies ahead.
John 11:26
“And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ – John 11:26
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
1 Thessalonians 4:14
“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. – 1 Thessalonians 4:14
Romans 6:5
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. – Romans 6:5
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. – Revelation 21:1
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the powerful story of Lazarus, we find many lessons that touch our hearts. The calling of Lazarus illustrates how God’s voice can bring us from darkness to light. We understand that our faith holds significant value in our lives, allowing us to experience miracles and transformation. Jesus’ deep love for Lazarus shows us that we are never alone; He is always with us in our struggles. The restoration of Lazarus into the world introduces hope for renewal and second chances. Being a witness, just like Lazarus, encourages us to share our experiences of faith with those around us.
Ultimately, the hope of eternal life reassures us that our journey does not end here. It invites us to continue exploring our relationship with God and to look forward to the promises He offers us. Through Lazarus, we can see our own life stories unfold into testimonies of faith. Let us embrace this beautiful journey together and grow closer to the heart of God.
If you enjoy learning from the Bible, you might also want to check out more about God’s miracles. There are countless narratives and teachings that can inspire us in our faith walk. Explore various topics for more insight and encouragement.