07.07. The Family Re-united
7. The Family Re-united
It is scarcely possible to realize the joy of the sisters, in the restoration of Lazarus. The bond of Christian love which before had linked them together, had been drawn far tighter. Their new joy was the gift of their Savior, and endeared them the more to each other and to Him. How clearly could they now trace His dealings with them — the long delay, the painful separation, the days of bitter grief and sorrow. How truly would they praise Him for His faithful love, and wonder that they could ever have distrusted Him even for a moment.
It is well for us to remember that many such glad surprises will greet Christians hereafter. Perhaps to the very close of life’s pilgrimage, the path may be dark and gloomy; but when the river has been crossed, and Christ’s glory revealed, hopes long crashed will revive, one and another once dead in sin will be found to have been quickened in answer to believing prayer; families all one in Christ’s everlasting kingdom, where on earth there had been a stray sheep, plucked perchance by the Good Shepherd from the very brink of destruction!
Before leaving our subject, we will trace the immediate results that followed the raising of Lazarus. The glory of God was manifested through this miracle, in that it was the means of bringing salvation to some who were perishing. "Many of the Jews that came to visit Mary and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him."
It is very probable that with some of these Jews, their faith was only of a very imperfect and temporary character. They saw this mighty work, and were led for a season to number themselves among His disciples. But with some it was more lasting. Even when some time had passed, we read that by reason of Lazarus, many of the Jews believed on Jesus. No doubt this miracle was the mirror in which many saw, as they had not seen before, the glory of Christ. They beheld in Him something of the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, and trusted in His great salvation. But side by side with this, the glory of Christ in this miracle manifested the utter callousness, the hardness, and the unbelief of others among the bystanders, and of the chief priests and Pharisees. In the Parable of the the Rich Man and Lazarus, Christ has declared that "if men believe not Moses and the prophets — neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." In the narrative we are considering, we see the truth of this saying. For some of those present, in their determined hostility to Christ, went and told the Pharisees of the miracle, and this excited their anger against Him.
More than this; we read of the Pharisees holding a council together, and purposing to put to death the One who had just shown Himself to be the Prince and Giver of life!
More than this; a plot is made also to put Lazarus to death, because men saw in him the proof of Christ’s Divine power! Is it possible for unbelief to go beyond this? Had they reflected but a moment, they might have seen clearly that they were fighting against God, and must bring down His sore judgments upon their heads.
Thus we find that the work of Christ brought salvation to some, but became a stumbling block and rock of offence to others. It took from them all excuse. It made them tenfold more guilty in their rejection of Him. And thus also is it with the Gospel itself, and the knowledge of Christ revealed in the Word. It is the savor of life unto life — or of death unto death. Everything is a two-edged sword. All Christian privileges, all means of grace, Scriptures, Sermons, are, according as they are used, either blessings or banes, either physic or poison; they are either for weal or woe, either a fragrance of life unto life eternal, or of death unto death eternal, to the souls of all to whom they come.
Dear reader, I would very earnestly and affectionately entreat you to consider the effect upon yourself of the blessed Gospel of the grace of God. You did not indeed stand by the grave of Bethany; but in reading these pages you have been dwelling in thought upon the Savior’s grace and power as there displayed.
You have known, moreover, of the glorious Resurrection of Christ Himself. No event can be more sure when you consider the number and fidelity of the witnesses, and the result that followed in the growth of the Christian Church. You have also the gracious promises and free invitations of the Savior. You have the offered grace of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; and the example of multitudes who have found in Christ the resting-place and salvation of their souls. You have the message declared to you by the ambassadors of Christ, that there is for you an immediate reconciliation with God, through the perfect sacrifice of Calvary — if you but humble yourself for your sin and rely solely on the blood of the Cross. Do you heartily embrace the offer of salvation? Do you accept the gift of life eternal? Do you recognize your own lost condition, and turn in confiding hope to Him who can restore and save you? What is the answer of your heart, to the voice of a pleading Savior? Is it something of this kind, "No! I care neither for Christ nor His gifts. Give me more of the world’s treasures, or comforts — and I will thank you. Give me rest, and ease, and pleasure, and health — but as for the mercy and grace of Christ I need it not — I ask it not!" Or is your reply the very reverse of this, "Yes, Lord, with all my heart I embrace the hope Your Word affords! Give me Yourself, Your peace, Your love, Your salvation! Without You I perish and am undone, but I cast myself on Your free and unmerited bounty. I look to You to cleanse me and renew me — to save and bless me evermore!" Which is the answer that your heart gives? Christ’s hand is stretched out. Do you accept it by faith — or reject it by your unbelief?
None can fully describe the solemn importance of the question: Do you believe in the Son of God? It is a matter of life and death. A ship is in a fearful storm. The timbers are creaking, the mast is gone, the waves are dashing over the bulwarks. A passenger with wife and children and all that he has, is on board. "Can she live through the storm?" is the anxious question he puts to the pilot. How solemn is the outcome which hangs upon the answer! A prisoner is being tried for his life. The jury are consulting together. The question is put to the foreman: Guilty — or not guilty? How solemn is the outcome which hangs upon the answer! But neither of these questions is so important to those concerned in them as is the answer to the question I have proposed to yourself. Unless you have true faith in Christ — how can you meet the storms that will arise? What will you do in the swelling of Jordan? What will you do when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth, and when His judgments overtake His enemies? What will you do before the great white throne, when every vain excuse will be exposed, and every sin laid bare before the eye of your Judge? Ah, hasten to your Savior, delay not a moment! How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? But another result that followed this mighty work, was the quickened zeal and devotion of Mary. The last glimpse we have of the family of Bethany is in the house of Simon the leper. Once more we see Mary at the Savior’s footstool, for she brings a box of precious ointment and anoints both the head and feet of Jesus. Though Judas and others blamed her — yet Jesus commends her, and leaves her as a pattern to His people wherever His Gospel is preached.
Dear reader, if Christ has done a great work for you, if He has quickened your soul from a death of sin, if He has heard your prayer and made you to know His great love to you — then follow in the footsteps of this godly woman.
Give to Him your best. Give to Him yourself, your heart, your life, your all. Give that which you would naturally like to expend on yourself. Give money, time, labor, in His service. Give ungrudgingly. It is a very easy thing to find excellent reasons against giving for any object whatever. There are always defects in what man does — so that if we wait to find perfection in any scheme or society or work, we shall fold our hands and never give or do, anything. But the heart that loves Christ is skillful in discovering reasons why money should be given and help rendered, where His work may be advanced and forwarded.
Give too your prayers and praises. Anoint thus the exalted Head of the Church. Let many petitions be presented for the purity and increase of His Church on earth. And look forward to His own acceptance and approval of your work. He will soon be here, and you shall rejoice in His word of welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!"