![]() The powerful voice of Jesus does not fall on deaf ears! It was not possible for Lazarus to remain in the grave. This means that those whom the Father calls will inevitably come to Christ. Jesus said clearly, “All that the Father gives me will come to me….Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (Jn 6:37, 45). When the Gospel is shared, those who are the sheep of Christ inevitably hear the voice of God. This call comes through the preaching of the Word of God. But in time, salvation begins with a calling! This is a very technical term which describes the voice of God calling His sheep specifically (1 Cor 1:2, 9, 24, 26). Salvation begins in eternity past in the sovereign election of God (Eph 1:4). This is certainly a beautiful illustration of what happens when sinners are saved. Lazarus, being dead, was only revived when the powerful voice of Jesus called him out of the grave. Sin had left us all totally depraved so that none of us sought after God or had any merit before God (Rom 3:10-18). Just like Lazarus we could not see since we were blind (2 Cor 4:4), we could not understand spiritual things (1 Cor 2:14), we had no volition to do anything toward God (Romans 8:7). Every sinner is born spiritually dead with no ability or power to make any significant contribution to their salvation. This has significant theological importance. ![]() In the same way, sinners are spiritually dead in their sins and trespasses (Eph 2:1). When the tomb was opened, Martha declared that surely there would have been a very strong odor, because Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus actually stayed two additional days where He was ministering so that there would be no doubt that Lazarus was truly dead (Jn 11:6). It was very important for Lazarus to truly be dead. He alone is the resurrection and the life (Jn 11:25). Jesus alone has the ability to grant life. Salvation comes to those who are dead, when the powerful voice of Jesus calls them and they hear His voice (Jn 10:27-28) and Jesus grants them eternal life. Instead, life is granted by the mercy of God. Unable to help themselves, sinners have no ability to grant themselves life. Salvation is the sole work of God whereby He grants life to those who are dead in their sins. With just His voice, Jesus created life in a man who had been dead for four days! This seventh “sign” in the book of John is meant to compel everyone to believe in Him.īut the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead also serves as a precise picture of salvation. The man whom Jesus loved died in order that the glory of God may be revealed pointing to the deity of Christ (John 11:4). ![]() While Jesus raised two other dead people (Mark 5:35-43, Luke 7:11-17), the raising of Lazarus is certainly one of the greatest miracles recorded for us in Scripture.
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