John 11:38-44 - Homiletics

The miracle.

There is a fresh struggle in the soul of Jesus, perhaps caused by the malicious observations of the Jews.

I. JESUS COMMANDS THE STONE TO BE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE SEPULCHER . "Take ye away the stone."

1. This command suggests that where human power is sufficient, Divine power will not be put forth . A word from Jesus could have taken away the stone as easily as a word raised Lazarus to life. The action of Jesus suggests the economy of miracle so observable in Scripture history.

2. The command was evidently given to convince the spectators that Lazarus was, indeed, a dead man . The pent-up odors of putrefaction would in such a hot climate convince the spectators that there could be no imposture or collusion in the case. It was evidently the thought of this disagreeable circumstance that led Martha to say, "Lord, by this time he stinketh; he hath been there four days."

3. The incident suggests that there is a sphere for human agency in connection with the salvation of men . The miracle is symbolic, like all Christ's miracles. It is possible for man to bring man within the knowledge of salvation. Jesus seems to say to the Christian Church, "Roll away the stone of ignorance and superstition from the hapless heathen by imparting Bible knowledge." He says, even, to professing Christians, "Roll away the stone that lies as an obstacle in your own family to the salvation of your children." Many an obstacle may stand in Christian households in the way of youthful conversions.

II. THE PRAYER OF JESUS AS A PREFACE TO THE MIRACLE . "Father, I thank thee because thou hast heard me ."

1. It is more a thanksgiving than a prayer .

2. His design in this miracle was to dispose the Jews to see in it the glory of God . "I said it because of the people who surround me, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." They attributed his cure of the blind man to the work of a demon or to deception. By his prayer Jesus makes his Father a Participator in the miracle.

III. THE MIRACLE . " And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth!"

1. The loud voice contrasts with the retired incantations of sorcerers, and is the expression of an authoritative Divine will.

2. The voice does not say, "Lazarus, come to life! " but "come forth! " "They may be alive to Christ who are dead to us."

3. That voice of power suggests

4. The immediate effect of the voice . "And he that was dead came forth, his feet and hands bound with bandages, and his face wrapped in a napkin."

(a) Christian men, especially those converted late in life, find themselves hindered by the "grave-clothes" of old habits.

(b) The grave-clothes ought soon to be laid aside that believers may walk free and unimpeded in the vigor of their new life.

(c) Our Lord's command, "Loose him, and let him go, " suggests

( α ) the propriety of the new powers being freed from restriction;

( β ) the influence of Christian men in helping to unbind the burdens that habit may have fastened upon the individual life.