Read John 11:19-45
This is the account of Jesus raising Lazareth from the grave. Jesus spoke to Martha about being the resurrection and the life. The word resurrection was not mentioned in the Old Testament but it was alluded to in Ps. 16:10 "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell." And in Ps. 49:15, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall receive me." Also in Is. 26:19. So we see the concept was accepted and many believed in a resurrection, except the Sadducees which was sad-you-see.
Jesus raised people from the dead: the son of the widow of Nain, the daughter of Jairus, and now Lazareth. The only difference is that they are not changed but just resuscitated. When Jesus resurrected he was changed and had a new body that could walk through walls, appear and disappear. He was the first fruit to rise from the dead. This event with Lazareth is just days from when Jesus will fulfill this very moment.
When Jesus saw the people grieving he groaned in the spirit. The word groaning means to snort with anger and to have indignation on. Death is the last enemy to be defeated. Jesus is the exact opposite of death. I wonder if it was really difficult to see people grieving over his greatest enemy. He groaned again when he walked up to the grave. The grave was in a cavern and a great millstone was placed in front of it. Remember yesterday how we said that Lazareth was a picture of the Holy Spirit. He was hidden away behind the curse of the law (the millstone). No longer were men going to have to work their way to God. The Holy Spirit was going to lead them to God. The Holy Spirit came forth from death, bound in grave clothes but Jesus said to loose him and let him go. When Jesus had died and was placed in his cavern, the next day all they found were his grave clothes. He came back to earth a spiritual being. He died to set his spirit free and his spirit is the Holy Spirit.
Lord, Thank you for the cruel death you died to bring us your Holy Spirit.
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