In the Gospel of John, the story of Lazarus is often interpreted as a miraculous resurrection. But beneath the surface, this story holds profound symbolism for the state of human consciousness. It’s not merely a tale about a physical death and return to life; it is a powerful allegory about self-wounding and the importance of imagination in the process of spiritual and personal transformation.
The Sleeping State
Lazarus, in this story, is said to be “asleep”—not dead. Jesus himself clarifies this when he hears of Lazarus’s condition:
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” — John 11:11
Neville Goddard teaches that Jesus represents the awakened imagination—the divine creative power within each of us. When Jesus speaks, it is imagination speaking: the eternal “I AM” in conscious action. Sleep, then, symbolises forgetfulness of this power.
Lazarus represents a state of mind where a person is so entrenched in their own limitations, fears, and doubts that they have become disconnected from their true nature. Their desires, once alive and vibrant, have fallen into a kind of spiritual sleep—covered, buried, and sealed in a tomb of negative thoughts.
Self-Wounding as Death
The true death of Lazarus is not caused by external forces, but by internal beliefs. Neville Goddard defines sin not as a moral failing, but as “missing the mark.” It is the moment when a desire exists, but the inner aim is off—directed not at fulfilment, but at fear, self-doubt, and limitation.
Lazarus is killed by this self-wounding. We often bury our own desires by succumbing to negative inner conversations, beliefs of unworthiness, and emotional fatigue. The tomb is a mindset, and the stone that seals it is our resistance to change.
Imagination has not turned away from us—we have turned away from imagination. And so, like Lazarus, the desire lies silent in the dark, not because it is dead, but because we have forgotten how to hear it.
The Desire Still Lives
Even though Lazarus is buried in a tomb, his desire—his potential—has not been destroyed. The power of imagination is not so easily killed. Neville teaches that “desire is the Word of God”—the seed of creation itself. No matter how deeply buried your desires may feel, they still live within you, waiting to be awakened.
When Jesus (imagination) arrives at the tomb and calls out:
“Lazarus, come forth.” — John 11:43
…it is imagination reactivating a forgotten desire. It is your own inner voice daring to speak life into that which has been covered by delay or defeat. This is the moment of spiritual resurrection—the moment you remember who you truly are and bring the forgotten desire back into movement.
The call is not a miracle from outside, but a command from within.
Loose Him and Let Him Go
After Lazarus comes forth from the tomb, Jesus says:
“Loose him, and let him go.” — John 11:44
This is a vital step. Once the desire has returned to life—once imagination has reawakened the thing you once thought was impossible—you must strip away the bindings of fear, logic, and memory. The “grave clothes” represent all the habits, beliefs, and histories that kept the desire dormant.
To "loose him" is to free the desire from the framework of doubt, and allow it to breathe in your world as a real and living possibility.
The Meaning of 111: The Awakening Code
If you’ve been noticing the number 111 appearing in your life—on clocks, receipts, signs—it may not be a coincidence. Many believe 111 is a divine reminder: a wake-up call from the inner self, a signal that your thoughts are aligning with a new state of consciousness.
In the context of Lazarus, 111 resonates deeply:
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John 11:11, where Jesus says Lazarus is “asleep,” becomes a symbolic trigger—a repetition of 1s marking the moment of awakening.
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The number 1 repeated symbolises unity, alignment, and the start of a new cycle. It is the emergence of singular focus—the focused attention that Neville says is essential to manifestation.
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111 may appear in your life as a call to “come forth”—to awaken from the tomb of your current state and step into the awareness of who you really are.
It’s the internal echo of the divine self—not a call from the heavens above, but from the imagination within.
Conclusion
The death of Lazarus is not a punishment or test—it is a state of being many of us know well: a desire entombed by doubt, buried beneath fear. And yet, it can rise again.
Jesus—imagination—calls it forth. The call is not external; it comes from within your very own awareness. It’s your imagination saying, “I haven’t given up on you.” When you hear that voice, when you dare to believe again, the desire comes out of its tomb. And if you let go of the grave clothes—those limiting thoughts—you allow it to live freely.
So the next time you see 111, remember: your Lazarus is not dead. He’s only sleeping. And now, imagination is calling him by name.
Come forth.
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