| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 17 |
Page 4 |
The manner of the raising of Lazarus is suggestive. We may place together all Christ’s calls to the dead He raised. To the daughter of Jairus, His words were, “Maiden, arise.” To the young man of Nain, He said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” He calls neither of these by name. Neither of them had been personally known to Him. But Lazarus was His own familiar friend; and therefore, He called him by his dear household name. Death does not destroy personality. Lazarus, in the region of the dead, knew His name, heard it called, and answered to it. In the coming of Lazarus from the grave at the call of Christ we have a glimpse of what will take place at the final resurrection, when the same voice will be heard by all the dead.
When Lazarus came forth at Christ’s call, his friends had something to do in assisting him. Jesus bade them, “Loose him, and let him go.” His limbs were bound about so that he could not walk freely. It was necessary that these wrapping should be removed in order that he might be free in his movements. Note Christ’s economy in miracle. He did not by supernatural power take off these bandages, though He could have done so. Nor did He with His own hands unwrap the clothes and remove them. He bade His friends to do this, thus making them coworkers with Himself. There is here a parable of spiritual things. When a soul hears Christ’s voice and comes from its grave of death, there are still many old wrappings of sin, the grave clothes of an old life, chains of bad habits, the bonds of evil companionships and friendships. Lazarus walking forth from his grave with his limbs bound about and his freedom hindered, is a picture of every saved life at the first. The removing of these bonds and hindrances is work which Christ gives us to do for our friends who are beginning their new life. We are to set our friends free. We are to help them overcome their old habits and break off their sinful associations, and in all ways to seek to set them free for loving service.
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