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And you who were dead in trespasses and sins..(Ephesians 2:1)
Just as Jesus stood at the opening of the tomb of Lazarus, so also you dear Christian were called from death to life. The exclamation of Martha only increases the vivid picture of our complete and utter ruin, for she exclaimes: Lord, the body stinketh.
How often we miss the real meaning of Martha’s previous words. She said to our Lord; If you had been here, my brother would not have died. Martha’s words could not have been more true and yet this passage is often overshadowed by the miracle that is about to happen. Death came because Adam was here and not Christ. Had Jesus come the first time, he would have passed his probation and secured for us salvation. In this story of death our Lord allows us to see a glimpse of why he came, that we might glorify the Son of God (Jn. 11:14).
As Jesus stands before the sepulchre of Lazarus he calls him forth. Jesus raises a dead sinner to new life. The bindings of death are released from those that God has quickened. Lazarus had no choice but to come forth when the Master bid. Beloved in Christ, our Lord has stood at your sepulchre and has bidden you to Arise. How Great is our Lord that he speaks and that which was dead is come alive!
Reformed Devotions 