38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42 “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”
43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”
44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
As with every word in the Bible, God had a purpose for putting this event in the Bible. Besides showing that Jesus had authority over Death, another reason is to perfectly illustrate what occurs when God quickens the dead spirit in a lost man.
The Bible tells us that a lost man is dead in his sins (Ephesians 2:1, 2:5; Colossians 2:13), is unable to understand anything from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14), and unable to do anything pleasing to God (Romans 8:8). Likewise Lazarus was dead, unable to understand anything anyone said to him, unable to do anything physical whatsoever. He could not assist in his resurrection in the least.
When Jesus called him to come forth, Lazarus was unable to reject the call and unable to resist in any way, shape, manner, or form. Jesus called, he came. This same idea is perfectly illustrated in Jesus’ Words about a lost man being saved. He said “All those the Father has given me will come to me...” (John 6:37) There is no option for man to reject His call any more than Lazarus had the option to refuse to come out of the tomb.
Another reason Lazarus could not reject or resist the call was because he was bound, like a mummy. You must understand how Israelites would wrap a man in grave clothes: every toe is wrapped, then the toes would be wrapped together with the foot and then up the leg. This would be repeated with the other leg. Then the feet and legs would be wrapped together. The process was repeated with the fingers, hands, and arms. Lazarus couldn’t move; he couldn’t untie or unwrap himself, he couldn’t sit up, he couldn’t walk. When Jesus called him, Lazarus literally floated (levitated) out of the grave.
So also is the dead sinner - he is DEAD and can NOT assist with his quickening at all, nor can he resist or reject the call. Jesus said those the Father has given to Him (the Called) “...WILL come to me...,” there is no option.
So also is the dead sinner - he is DEAD and can NOT assist with his quickening at all, nor can he resist or reject the call. Jesus said those the Father has given to Him (the Called) “...WILL come to me...,” there is no option.
This is simply ANOTHER example of God’s sovereignty in Election perfectly illustrated in a real life situation.
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