Contemplative Bible Reading

John 11:43 (King James Version)

And when he (Jesus) thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Jesus is standing among a group of persons. What if Jesus had said, “Come forth” or “Come here.” The persons standing around would look at each other and shrug and start walking towards Jesus. Jesus had to be speaking to them, right?

No, Jesus was speaking to the dead man. What? Why would He speak to a … many questions follow.

Hence, Jesus had to say, “LAZARUS, come here.”

Think quick. We are standing there. What did Jesus just say? Surely the day was too hot and Jesus was too tired to be thinking right, huh? He is talking to a dead person. Someone do something to … I don’t know, but do something.

Then the dead person came stumbling out of the cave. The world changed forever.

Thank you God.