“Lazarus, Come Forth”
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of Judea, where the rabbis were plotting how they might take Him and
put Him to death, no harm could come to Him.
The disciples marveled at Christ’s words when He said, “Lazarus
is dead. And I am glad ... that I was not there.” Did the Saviour by His
own choice avoid the home of His suffering friends? Apparently Mary
and Martha and the dying Lazarus were left alone. But they were not
alone. Christ beheld the whole scene, and after the death of Lazarus
the bereaved sisters were upheld by His grace. Jesus witnessed the
sorrow of their rent hearts, as their brother wrestled with his strong
foe, death. He felt every pang of anguish, as He said to His disciples,
“Lazarus is dead.” But Christ had not only the loved ones at Bethany
to think of; He had the training of His disciples to consider. They
were to be His representatives to the world, that the Father’s blessing
might embrace all. For their sake He permitted Lazarus to die. Had He
restored him from illness to health, the miracle that is the most positive
evidence of His divine character, would not have been performed.
Had Christ been in the sickroom, Lazarus would not have died;
for Satan would have had no power over him. Death could not have
aimed his dart at Lazarus in the presence of the Life-giver. Therefore
Christ remained away. He suffered the enemy to exercise his power,
that He might drive him back, a conquered foe. He permitted Lazarus
to pass under the dominion of death; and the suffering sisters saw their
brother laid in the grave. Christ knew that as they looked on the dead
face of their brother their faith in their Redeemer would be severely
tried. But He knew that because of the struggle through which they
were now passing their faith would shine forth with far greater power.
He suffered every pang of sorrow that they endured. He loved them
no less because He tarried; but He knew that for them, for Lazarus, for
Himself, and for His disciples, a victory was to be gained.
“For your sakes,” “to the intent ye may believe.” To all who are
reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the moment of greatest
discouragement is the time when divine help is nearest. They will look
back with thankfulness upon the darkest part of their way. “The Lord
knoweth how to deliver the godly,”
2 Peter 2:9
. From every temptation
and every trial He will bring them forth with firmer faith and a richer
experience.
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In delaying to come to Lazarus, Christ had a purpose of mercy
toward those who had not received Him. He tarried, that by raising