Most of us have heard the story of JESUS raising Lazarus from the dead. We may have heard sermons centered around this story. Perhaps we have felt sympathy for Mary and Martha. Maybe we have felt pity for Lazarus who has been in this dark tomb for four days! As you read the story of Lazarus resurrection contemplate how his story can relate to our lives.
Read from John 11:38-44:
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(A)”> came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(B)”> 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(C)”>
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(D)”> you will see the glory of God?”<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(E)”>
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(F)”> and said, “Father,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(G)”> 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,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(H)”> that they may believe that you sent me.”<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(I)”>
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(J)”> 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(K)”> and a cloth around his face.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(L)”>
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Can you identify with Lazarus? Can we hear JESUS first command, “Take away the stone” knowing we have a huge stone as well? Our stone being a lie we believe that is keeping a part of us bound in a tomb of darkness.
The characteristics of a tomb tell us much! Think about it— Tombs are dark. In a tomb, fellowship with others is cut off. Movement inside a tomb is virtually impossible. Tombs are smelly. You can’t get out of a tomb by yourself. A lie will keep us in a tomb like place inside.
In order to come out of the tomb, the stone — that thing blocking truth— has to be rolled away. This is where we identify the lie that has kept us entombed. Once the lie is exposed– the stone rolled away— we are not yet free but light can now come in and darkness has to flee!
JESUS second command was for Lazarus to come out. JESUS called him out of the place of death, the place of hopelessness, the place of darkness and defeat! In order for Lazarus to come out he had to first accept the truth. We also have to accept the truth. We find no record of Lazarus arguing with JESUS. He doesn’t remind JESUS he is dead. No! He got up! He was waddling at best— just imagine him all bound up trying to walk out of the tomb! He got up— he came out of agreement with all the tomb represented! With the stone rolled away he had some light but he was being called into the full light. In order to come into the full light Lazarus had to first leave the tomb!
When Lazarus came out of the tomb he was still bound up— but he was choosing to step into the light and live!!! It is when Lazarus takes a step that JESUS gives his third command— “Take off the grave clothes”. Remove the symbol of death that led to your entombment. This reminds us that light came in, we choose to step into the light then our stronghold is removed so we can go free! But notice, Lazarus wasn’t instructed to remove his grave clothes. Those around him removed them. We must be humble by listening to the truth of those the LORD will bring to help us.
When the stronghold is removed freedom comes!
We must first identify the stronghold. Then we must choose the light of Truth (GOD’s Word) to be our reality. When the truth becomes reality we are free indeed! It will probably take our standing on the truth we’ve heard, hearing others tell us the truth before the truth becomes real to us. But, when the stronghold is removed freedom comes!
When the stronghold (lie) is removed we can walk in the light, fellowship with others, breathe fresh, clean air and celebrate with those who helped us out!
Roll away the stone! Come out of the tomb! Remove the grave clothes!
When Lazarus came out of the tomb he was still bound up— but he was choosing to step into the light and live!!! It is when Lazarus takes a step that JESUS gives his third command— “Take off the grave clothes”. Remove the symbol of death that led to your entombment. This reminds us that light came in, we choose to step into the light then our stronghold is removed so we can go free! But notice, Lazarus wasn’t instructed to remove his grave clothes. Those around him removed them. We must be humble by listening to the truth of those the LORD will bring to help us.
When the stronghold is removed freedom comes!
We must first identify the stronghold. Then we must choose the light of Truth (GOD’s Word) to be our reality. When the truth becomes reality we are free indeed! It will probably take our standing on the truth we’ve heard, hearing others tell us the truth before the truth becomes real to us. But, when the stronghold is removed freedom comes!
When the stronghold (lie) is removed we can walk in the light, fellowship with others, breathe fresh, clean air and celebrate with those who helped us out!
Roll away the stone! Come out of the tomb! Remove the grave clothes!
Coffee With the King 