In this sermon on John 11:28–44, Zack DiPrima examines the grief of Mary, the compassion of Christ, and the life-giving action of Jesus in raising Lazarus from the dead. Mary’s sorrow demonstrates that Christians may experience and express grief differently while still maintaining genuine faith, yet believers must guard against allowing sorrow to draw them away from God’s truth and the means of grace. Jesus’ response reveals both His righteous anger toward sin and death and His profound compassion for suffering people—captured in the simple but powerful words, “Jesus wept.” As the sympathetic Savior and great High Priest, Christ understands the suffering and weakness of His people and invites them to draw near to Him. The sermon culminates in Jesus’ command, “Lazarus, come out,” presenting Lazarus’s resurrection as a vivid picture of God’s sovereign work in salvation: just as Lazarus could do nothing to raise himself physically, spiritually dead sinners depend entirely upon the life-giving voice and power of Christ. Yet this sovereign grace demands a response. The resurrection of Lazarus calls every hearer to behold Jesus, repent of sin, believe in Him, and receive the eternal life that He alone can give.
This sermon is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
