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The Silent Man Who Spoke Not A Word – Message John 11 Lazarus Part 1 Series
Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 11, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Two men in the bible are called Lazarus . The interesting thing about these two men is that both were dead. Dead men don’t speak; they are silent – or are they? Both men spoke from the grave in a very special way. Both are unique. We look at both but mainly Lazarus from John 11.
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THE SILENT MAN WHO SPOKE NOT A WORD – Message John 11 LAZARUS Part 1
THE CHARACTERS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL
Today we are looking at a very interesting but important episode in the Gospel of John. It takes up most of one chapter and a bit of the next. The character we are studying is known as Lazarus. How many people in the bible carried that name? Well, there were two of them, one in the Gospel of Luke and one in John. The interesting thing about these two men is that both were dead. Dead men don’t speak; they are silent – or are they? Both these men spoke from the grave in a very special couple of circumstances. Both are unique.
I want to spend some time on both men.
The first Lazarus is recorded in Luke 16 and we turn to that to read it - Luke 16 v 19 Now there was a certain rich man and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendour every day, Luke 16:20 and a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Luke 16:21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Luke 16:22 Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried, Luke 16:23 and being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:24 He cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue for I am in agony in this flame,’ Luke 16:25 but Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things, but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. Luke 16:26 Besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ Luke 16:27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father’s house - Luke 16:28 for I have five brothers - that he may warn them lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Luke 16:29 Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them hear them,’ Luke 16:30 but he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ Luke 16:31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
That account of Lazarus is a most ridiculed, despised, and rejected story by the mockers, and by certain preachers. It is added to the great list of laughable stories, and some preachers mainly refer to it as a parable not worth considering, except to draw out from it, some nebulous moral application like, “Care for those not as well off as you are. Help the needy; Give to the poor.” The fact is, this is not a parable. Parables do not have names of people. This story names Lazarus. This episode was one known to the Lord, as Jesus knows all His sheep whether alive or dead. What can we draw from this story? I have made a list I consider important teachings from this account in Luke. Here they are.
Number 1. Lazarus did not go to Abraham’s bosom because he was poor, and the rich man did not go to hades/hell because he was rich. However, God teaches very clearly that riches are a very real hindrance to finding salvation, and that is because those with money and riches put their trust in what they possess, in what is tangible, not in a Saviour. God does say some things about rich people and here are 4 verses:-
Matthew 19 v 24 and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
1Timothy 6 v 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Luke v 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent away the rich empty-handed.
James 2 v 6 but you have dishonoured the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?
