The grave gives up its dead!
John 11:43- After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (EHV)
Have you ever experienced a child crying at a casket? Whether it is a parent, grandparent, or a friend, the child pleads, “Please get up!” It is heartbreaking to see this because we all know the body lying in the casket cannot hear those pleas. The body remains lifeless, and it cannot change. It must have been devastating for Martha and Mary when their brother Lazarus got sick. They pleaded with Jesus to come and heal their brother, but he never showed up. Now Lazarus has been dead for four days, and Jesus finally arrived. But it is too late. No matter how much they wanted Lazarus to be alive, they would have to wait for the resurrection of all flesh on the last day to see their brother alive again!
But Jesus showed them and us that his voice is heard by the dead. He showed them all the wonder and power of his voice. “Lazarus, come out!” This was not a suggestion. It was authority. The grave does not have power of Jesus’ voice. When Jesus speaks, death must listen. Immediately, Lazarus got up and came out of his grave alive and well. Jesus said that he was the resurrection and the life. Now he backs up what he said with a demonstration of power. What does this mean for us today?
We still deal with the consequences of sin. Death is the wage we all earn no matter how good you have been. You still are not perfect and the icy grave is our destiny. But Jesus gives you every reason not to be afraid. The grave must give up its dead. The grave must listen to the one who died and rose! This means that one day, you will hear the voice of Jesus saying to you, “_____, come out!” Death will not have any choice but to release you from its icy grip. You are going to rise from the dead when you hear Jesus’ voice.
Dear glorious Savior, we thank you for fulfilling your Father’s plan to rescue us from our sin and its curse, death. Let us continue to look to you for the glory of forgiveness and eternal life so that one day we hear your voice and rise to look upon your heavenly glory without fear. In your name we pray. Amen!