John 11:1-44, 12:1-11
Death is always emotional, just as we see in the story of Lazarus. Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus. Just think of how you would feel in Jesus' situation. You get a phone call from your friends saying their brother is dying and needs your help. What would you do?
Jesus waited two days before going to see them. By the time he arrived, Lazarus was no longer sick; he was dead. They'd all seen Jesus heal the sick and thought he could heal Lazarus, too; but some of them thought that it was too late. Martha, however, had faith: 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Standing in front of the tomb, Jesus prayed aloud.
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
Think of the reactions the people standing there would've had to "take up the stone." Think of the family's reaction today if someone wanted to dig up a family member's body.
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
Can you imagine the looks on people's faces when Jesus said, "Lazarus, come out!"? Doubters jaws would've hit the dirt.
We picture Lazarus standing up and simply walking out, but that isn't exactly how it happened.
44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Take off the things that bind him, the grave clothes around his body. Is there anything in your life that is binding you today? Are you wrapped in grave clothes that you can't shake?
Notice that Jesus didn't tell Lazarus to take off the grave clothes himself. He tells the people to help Lazarus- "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." God has placed Christians in your life who will help you remove the grave clothes. If you are a Christian, then God is calling you to help remove the grave clothes of others.
Picture Lazarus bound hand and foot. Now that's the picture of a lost sinner! The Bible tells us that "the wages of sin is death." You are dead spiritually until you accept life through Jesus.
Once dead, now alive!! Once bound, now loosed!!
If you are spiritually dead today, the only hope you have is in Christ. If you are saved but aren't enjoying Jesus in your life, it's not because of Him or anyone else. You are bound by grave clothes, and only Jesus can give you the joyful life he has promised.
