d to have dearly loved, was an innuendo
that the power possessed by Jesus was after all limited, and of
uncertain or capricious operation. This manifestation of malignant
unbelief caused Jesus again to groan with sorrow if not
indignation.[1026]

The body of Lazarus had been interred in a cave, the entrance to which
was closed by a great block of stone. Such burial-places were common in
that country, natural caves or vaults hewn in the solid rock being used
as sepulchres by the better classes of people. Jesus directed that the
tomb be opened. Martha, still unprepared for what was to follow,
ventured to remonstrate, reminding Jesus that the corpse had been four
days immured, and that decomposition must have already set in.[1027]
Jesus thus met her objection: "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou
wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" This may have
had reference both to His promise spoken to Martha in person--that her
brother should rise again--and to the message sent from Perea--that the
illness of Lazarus was not unto final death at that time, but for the
glory of God and that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

The stone was removed. Standing before the open portal of the tomb,
Jesus looked upward and prayed: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast
heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the
people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast
sent me." He did not ask the Father for power or authority; such had
already been given Him; but He gave thanks, and in the hearing of all
who stood by acknowledged the Father and expressed the oneness of His
own and the Father's purposes. Then, with a loud voice He cried:
"Lazarus, come forth." The dead man heard that voice of authoritative
command; the spirit straightway reentered the tabernacle of flesh, the
physical processes of life were resumed; and Lazarus, again alive, came
forth. His freedom of motion was limited, for the grave clothes hampered
his movements, and his face was still bound by the napkin by which the
lifeless jaw had been held in place. To those who stood near, Jesus
said: "Loose him, and let him go."

The procedure throughout was characterized by deep solemnity and by the
entire absence of every element of unnecessary display. Jesus, who when
miles away and without any ordinary means of receiving the information
knew that Lazarus was dead, doubtless could have found the tomb; yet He
inquired