Lazarus Cry
John 11:3 – “Lord, our brother Lazarus, the one you love, is very sick. Please come!”
Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 3:18 – “May you have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love.”
Introduction
Jesus, please come! These simple words echo across time, reaching even our modern hearts. Lazarus was sick—so sick that no human effort could save him. His sisters, Mary and Martha, understood the limits of human capability and called for the One whose love transcends life and death: Jesus.
Sometimes, our “Lazarus moments” are not only physical illness. They appear as struggles in the heart, mind, or spirit—situations that feel beyond repair. And in those moments, our deepest cry is still: Jesus, please come. We are tempted to fix everything ourselves, to earn God’s favor, or to prove our worth. Yet the truth is simple and unchanging: we are already loved.
Even after Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus still came. He did not wait for the situation to improve, nor did He hesitate because of impossibility. He came because of His great love. When He spoke, life returned: “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). This same love is for each of us. As Ephesians 3:18 teaches, we can begin to grasp the infinite dimensions of Christ’s love—beyond what our hearts can imagine.
Historical Validation
The account of Lazarus is anchored in the historical Judean context under Roman rule. John’s detailed reporting, including the specific four-day period of death, aligns with Jewish mourning customs and beliefs, documented by historians such as Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20). The miracle’s historicity is further supported by eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ followers and corroborated in multiple New Testament texts. This story is therefore a true historical event, not allegory or fiction.
Quotes
C.S. Lewis, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”
Corrie ten Boom, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Conclusion
The intro establishes the core truth: Christ’s love intervenes even in the impossible. Human understanding and timing are limited, but God’s love is infinite. Lazarus’ resurrection demonstrates that what seems impossible to humans is possible with Christ.
Modern Challenge
In today’s world, we often rely on self-sufficiency, technology, and human solutions for crises of body, mind, or spirit. Many “Lazarus moments” go unheeded because of doubt or impatience. To reclaim this posture, we must intentionally cry out to Christ, surrender our striving, and trust His timing and power, even when hope seems lost.
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