THE RESURRECTIONS COMPARED
THE RESURRECTIONS COMPARED
Luke 7: 11 - 17; Mark 5: 35 - 43; John 11: 36 - 44
Luke 7: This was specially a public affair. It stands connected with the gospel — the Lord had compassion on the widow. As to publicity — many of His disciples and a great crowd went with Him. With the widow was a very considerable crowd of the city; the awakening of the youth was at the gate. The Lord touched the bier evidently as it was moving; “the bearers stopped”, “Youth, I say to thee, Wake up”. “I say to thee ...”. It is authority, power acting in compassion. There is no looking up to heaven. It is authority in a Man. The testimony apprehended, a great Prophet risen up, God has visited His people. The young man is given to his [p. 426] mother — not let go. But as awakened he began to speak. This is in keeping with Luke; the priesthood is in view. The Lord’s speaking is emphasised in this gospel (chapter 4).
Mark 5: The raising of Jairus’ daughter is private. The Lord put those who made a tumult, “weeping and wailing greatly”, out, and took with Him Peter, James and John and the father and mother of the child. “The child has not died, but sleeps”. It is the believer viewed in female youthfulness, capable of great development, such as His touch and words would indicate. The age of the girl and the environment into which she was awakened by the Lord’s touch and words point to what is under His hand for growth, development such as He wishes; it leads to the assembly. The intelligence in the man out of whom the demons were cast, and the transparency of the woman healed of the issue, enter into what the damsel represents; all is under the Lord’s hand. There will be growth in constitution as she receives “something ... to eat”.
Note that the damsel walks. This is a special feature here: the man of Nain talked as awakened. Walking brings out the grace of life; this marks the feminine side and will be fully expressed in the church, “coming down ... as a bride adorned for her husband”.
John 11: The dignity of the raised person is in view. We have the name (Lazarus) and he was one of a loved family. The Lord’s feelings are much in evidence. It is not simply compassion, as in Luke, but love: “Behold how he loved him!”. The Lord tells others to do what they can do: “Take away the stone”, “Loose him and let him go”. He speaks to the Father — that the crowd who stand by “may believe”. “Lazarus, come forth” — a loud voice; it was the voice of love and power. Lazarus represents the saints — those of the family of God, loved and dignified.
[p. 427] The glory of God is seen. His power, exercised in love in the Son, shines. The dead came forth, bound feet and hands with grave-clothes. It was all divine power; but others loose him and let him go. In chapter 12 Lazarus sits at the table with Christ. It is dignity. Others believe on the Lord on account of Lazarus. Thus resurrection seen here goes further in result than in the other two instances.