Jesus Raises the Dead | Sermon Series 08/27/2023

John 11:38-46

Jesus is outraged in the innermost part of His being as He looks upon death. The wages of sin have taken a toll on the world He created so long ago and now is the time to reverse the curse. Jesus approaches the cave that Lazarus has been “sleeping” in and commands for the stone covering it to be removed. Although Martha previously expressed faith that Jesus is the Christ, she still doesn’t see fully what He can do. The stench of death seems more powerful than the Messiah. Jesus reminds her that if she believes she will see the glory of God. For humans, we often need to see the results of others’ promises. But for God, His word alone ought to be enough for us. Upon removing the stone from the cave, Jesus prayed to the Father and thanked Him in such a way as if Jesus had already privately communed with the Father to raise Lazarus. This is a Trinitarian act and many will believe because of it.

Jesus shouts with His universe-making voice, the voice that calms the seas, and the voice that commands demons to flee their hosts. His yelling was coupled with His righteous indignation against sin and death. And in all that power, Lazarus came forth. Had Jesus not directed the order to him all of the dead on the earth would rise. The dead man was alive and was unbound from the graveclothes of death. This is just a foretaste of what Jesus will do for Himself and all humanity at His second coming. We too have been raised to new life by the death and resurrection of Christ, right here and now. And we too, will be raised to glorified lives and bodies by the Resurrection and the Life at the sound of the trumpet blast. The question is, as Jesus said, “Do you believe this?”