A crowd gathered at the graveside of Lazarus as they watched Jesus prepare to raise him up. At this time, the body had begun to smell bad because it had been in the grave for four days. For many who gathered, they had given up hope on the man in the grave.
Though Mary and Martha, beloved sisters of the late Lazarus believed that Jesus is a miracle worker, they lamented that it was too late to save their brother. They had repeatedly called on the Lord Jesus to come and heal the sick Lazarus, but he did not respond with the urgency required. And when finally, he died, the Lord still assured them that he’d wake him up. He said he had only fallen asleep.
This did not stop sympathizers from wailing and mourning. But the Lord of Glory is about to turn their mourning into dancing. The one who is the Resurrection and the Life, tells us, ‘… he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live’ (John 11:25).
Now, at the graveside, the people watched anxiously as Jesus directed them to roll off the stone from the tomb. Then, Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me “ (v41). At this time, Lazarus is still bound in grave cloth inside the tomb. Yet, Jesus thanked God for answering prayers. This is a rare demonstration of faith.
Jesus goes further to say in verse 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”. After this emphatic testimony of God’s faithfulness, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth”. He that was dead came forth. And Jesus told them to lose him and let him go.
There is no miracle like this in the entire Bible. It is a dramatic prayer command performance never seen before. Believers, doubters, enemies of the Lord gathered to watch him do the impossible. He issued a stunning prayer command, ‘Lazarus, come forth! And he did.
Beloved, do not look at your circumstances and give up. Hopeless as your situation maybe; no matter how long that thing in life has been dead, God can still command it to come alive! Sometimes, God allows our situation to go from bad to worse, just to prove his power or display his glory.
We’re never to lose faith in Christ even when it seems unrealistic to do so. God can always turn things around. And he will do so in your life in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Ladi Ayodeji
LADI AYODEJI GOSPEL ASSOCIATION, LAGA,
Email: ladiayodeji@yahoo.com
Discussion about this post