It has been pointed out that the reason Jesus said, "Lazarus, come forth..." is that He didn't want everybody, at least not right then.

On more than one occasion, in His personal ministry on the earth, Jesus dealt with death. There was the resurrection at the city of Nain of a widow's only son (Luke 7:11-17). There was the resurrection of the twelve-year-old daughter of the synagogue leader named Jairus (Luke 8:40-56). There was also the resurrection of Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1-44). Besides these specific cases, there were those who were raised when Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:52-53). All of this was done so that we might understand that Jesus is indeed, "The resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).

Death cannot prevail while Christ is present. He reigns over death and the grave. All of this, of course, serves as a sign of what is to come. Jesus said, "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). When Jesus does call for everybody, the grave will not prevail to keep the faithful from their reward, nor shall the grave conceal the wicked from judgment.

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