The hidden secrets of Lazarus Resurrection reveal it was one of the deepest prophetic events in Scripture. God hides things of eternal significance inside lesser happenings. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter, Proverbs 25:1.

Doomed

Lazarus resurrection took place one month before Christ’s crucifixion. It showed the ineffectiveness of death for the believer, for the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23. Without God man is lost in his sin and doomed for eternal death.

Only through believing in the Son of God can there be spiritual transformation. Divine life entering the life of the individual, John 14:23.

Resurrection from our dying sin nature is an act of a loving heavenly Father, for Jesus provided the way, the truth, and the life, John 14:6. The  resurrection of Lazarus should have instilled unshakable faith in His followers.

Lazarus

Lazarus was the friend of Jesus, the brother of Martha and Mary. His name means: God has helped. The key secret of Lazarus resurrection is relationship.

John’s Gospel only records seven miracles performed by Jesus. Seven being the biblical number of completion. The resurrection of Lazarus was the most important miracle Jesus performed while on earth – apart from His own resurrection.  

It was the resurrection of Lazarus that was the stimulus that provoked the urgent need for the Sanhedrin to engineer the crucifixion of Jesus.  

Fallen Asleep

Jesus said Lazarus has only fallen asleep, John 11:11. Death is only body sleep for the spirit lives on – to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:8.

• Humanity has life – but natural man is inwardly dead
• Transformation only begins when man accepts a God-identity.

Only followers of Christ will know eternal life in the presence of God.

The Great Revelation:

Jesus said to Martha, I Am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even if He dies, John 11:25.

Raising Lazarus showed Christ’s absolute authority over death. Jesus did not bring resurrection, He is Resurrection. Resurrection is a Now Person – the same I Am that I Am of Exodus 3:14. Life flows from union with Him, not just knowledge about Him.

Empathy

Jesus wept, John 11:36. He knew that Lazarus would shortly be raised back to life, yet as they moved towards the grave His tears of empathy flowed.

This was the Creator of the universe, the Lord God Almighty. The Life, the Way, the Truth, and The Resurrection. The Son of God, the Word made flesh, John 1:14. He had all power, both in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18. Yet, He wept with those He loved.

We have a High Priest seated at the right hand of the Father, Mark 16:19, who knows everything about us, Hebrews 4:15, and intercedes for us, Romans 8:34. Jesus calls us to enter a deeply personal relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Love beyond Comprehension

Jesus showed divine love that participates in our pain, for He goes through the fiery trials with us, Isaiah 43:2; 1 Peter 4:12. He personally knows pain. For although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered, Hebrews 5:8. 

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Yet, we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, To those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28. 

Lazarus resurrection revealed the reality of God’s nature and presence. There is an eternal and divine purpose in the things we go through. A purpose we cannot fully comprehend while we dwell in time. Therefore, we must live in ‘Now’ faith, Hebrews 11:1.

Four Days

Lazarus body had rested in the tomb for four days. The natural process had begun – body corruption. To resurrect Lazarus meant complete re-creation.

This clearly showed the impotent limitation of Satan’s power. That which Satan intended for evil, God uses for good, Genesis 50:20. It also disclosed:

• God’s undying compassion and love
• God’s authority over all things
• The close union between the Father and the Son, John 11:41,42.

The union we are drawn into, John 17:21-23.

Come Forth

There was such power in the simple command, Lazarus come forth, John 11:43. It is the same power and love that will call His bride home to Himself, 1 Corinthians 15:52. Like Lazarus, believers will be instantly changed. Called out of darkness – into something new.

Jesus called Lazarus forth into a new state of being. Born again sinners become a new creature, old things are passed away, behold new things have come, 2 Corinthians 5:17. We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive with Christ and seated us in heavenly places, Ephesians 2:5,6.

Jesus did not come to just redeem us from a sin nature, but to awaken us to divine life in Him. Transformation starts with hearing God’s voice.  

Tales Lazarus could Have Told

Nothing of what Lazarus experienced are recorded. What tales Lazarus could have told in that month leading up to the crucifixion. However, his life is veiled with careful deliberation.

Jesus did no more miracles but disappeared into the wilderness – awaiting the events that would close His earthly life. Nothing in the life of Jesus was an accident but done with deliberate care to only do the will of the Father, John 6:38.

Multiple-Purposed:

The death and resurrection of Lazarus was multiple-purposed. It showed the:

• Eternal purpose of God – Christ’s power over death
• Glorification of Christ – that many witnesses might believe, Luke 11:15.

It was a message that should have inspired faith in the disciples for what lay ahead. Had the followers heard the real message of Lazarus resurrection they would have celebrated at the empty grave – not wept.

More Resurrections

Lazarus was not the only resurrection for graves were opened at Calvary and many of the saints who had fallen asleep rose and entered the holy city and appeared to many, Matthew 27:53.

Did they return to the graves, or rise with Him at His ascension, including Lazarus? There are more things that have not entered the heart of man, than we can possibly comprehend, 1 Corinthians 2:9.

The Now Life

Believers are to live a resurrected life now:

• Identity restored – made in the image of God, Genesis 1:27
• Aware of the awesome presence of God – Heaven brought to earth for God dwells within, John 14:23
• Transforming daily – towards the stature that belongs to the fulness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13.

To live the resurrected life is to live beyond natural limitation. Jesus prayed: that they may all be one, even as You Farther, are in Me and I in You. That they also may be in Us, John 17:21.

The Hidden Secrets of Lazarus Resurrection

While the hidden secrets of Lazarus resurrection are many and varied, the message is clear:

• Death is just a beginning – more wonders ahead than behind
• Satan is a defeated enemy
• Divine identity begins here and now – stretching into eternity

The world says it is finished, but for the believer it is the beginning. – redeemed overcomers will rejoice for all eternity. The New Covenant reality is living daily in union with God in the ‘Now’ – in our redeemed identity.

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Dr. Wendy is a servant of the Lord who lives to share words of encouragement from the Word of God in these end of time days.

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