Following Jesus’ interaction with Martha followed by her sister, Mary, Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and ordered the stone to be removed. Jesus reminded Martha again of the call to faith and the glory of God to be on display, which would ultimately culminate in His resurrection from the dead.

After obeying His instruction, Jesus prayed aloud to the Father, and He cried out with a loud voice for Lazarus to come forth. Lazarus indeed came forth out of the tomb alive, and because of this, many of the Jews believed in Jesus, however there were others who did not and choose to simply tell the Pharisees what had occurred.

It is sad for those who merely reported the resurrection to the Pharisees that they could not see the truth. Raising Lazarus from the dead glorified God and pointed them (and us) back to Jesus who is the One with power over death and the grave. Lazarus’ resurrection demonstrated that Jesus is the Source of resurrection and eternal life. As one author states, “He is the guarantor of our resurrection from the dead.”

Jesus showed the people then and He shows us now that death has no hold over Him. Resurrection and life go together and without Jesus, there is no hope of a resurrection or eternal life with Christ. You see, without Jesus there is only an occupied grave and the stench of death. But through Christ Jesus, there is newness of life and the victorious promise of resurrection.