Read John 11
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” Let’s continue with the story of Lazarus.
Yesterday we saw how Jesus reacted to Mary. It was stark contrast to His reaction to Martha. Instead of going into a discussion about the resurrection and the life, He was ready to spring into action. He was moved to action by her surrender and worship.
This morning I want to focus in on the words, “Where have you laid him?” With this question Jesus was asking, “Where is the dead situation?” He was saying, “Are you willing to take me to the cause of your pain?”, “Are you willing to open up the wound again?”, “Are you willing to take me to the place you have been trying to run from for the last four days?”. Remember, the sting of death was still fresh. Four days was long enough for the pain to still be strong, but too long for their hope to still be alive. See, they stopped believing when Lazarus stopped breathing. Their dream was dead!
Jesus was asking, “Are you willing to take me to where you stopped believing?”, “Are you willing to open up the possibility of life in your seemingly dead situation?” When Lazarus was sick, they wanted Jesus’ involvement. When Lazarus died, I am sure they wanted Jesus to walk through the doors and raise him from the dead, like He had on two other occasions. But now that Lazarus had been dead for four long days, and they had finally accepted the fact that he was gone, Jesus was asking to allow Him into a dead situation.
The body was already wrapped in grave clothes. The corpse was already placed in the tomb. The tomb was already closed. Rigor mortis had already begun to set in. Mary, Martha, and the family friends had already accepted the fact that Lazarus was gone. The door of possibility was already closed in their minds and in their hearts, but now Jesus wanted them to OPEN it all up again. “Where have you laid him?” Can you take me there? Can you bear to OPEN the door that your heart has already closed? Remember, there is nothing impossible in and with God!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Never close a door unless God tells you it is closed.
a) Mary and Martha lost their hope and joy. Mary and Martha stopped believing when Lazarus stopped breathing. I don’t blame them. The situation looked beyond repair. Not only was Lazarus dead, but he had been dead for four days by the time Jesus arrived. But Jesus was ready to do something about Lazarus, even when the situation looked impossible. Many things are impossible with man, but nothing is impossible with God (Mat 19:26).
b) It’s easy to say that a situation is dead or the possibilities are gone, if you look at it in the natural. But you must learn to look at situations from God’s perspective. There is nothing God can’t do. So even if a door seems closed to you, be ready to reopen it if God brings it up. It’s never too late for God.
c) You may have given up hope a long time ago. You may have allowed your dream to die. It might not be four days for you, it might be four years or even 40 years; but that does not matter in God. If you sense God is leading you to open up the door of possibility this morning, a door you may have closed a long time ago, then it’s time to open it back up. It’s time to dream again!
2. You have to grant God access to your place of pain.
a) Jesus wanted to know where they laid Lazarus’ body. After four long days, He wanted them to grant Him access to their source and place of pain. He will require the same of you.
b) If they were willing to allow Him access to the dead situation, then He was willing to turn it around for them. But Jesus would not (then) and He will not (now) force Himself on us. He was ready if they were ready. He was willing if they were willing. He was wanting if they allowed Him access to it.
c) Allow God access to the place where you stopped believing. Is it painful to even bring it up? Yes. Is it something you may not even want to think about anymore? Sure. But if this series has caused you to resurrect some dead dreams, hopes, and desires, then it is time for you to spend some time with God about them. Remember, it is never too late and nothing is ever too hard for God!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I am open to experiencing supernatural victory in every area of my life. I realize that I have given up on several things while I was waiting on You. I have relaxed the grip I once had on my faith. I did not have the proper patience. I lost my joy and peace while I was believing You for those things. So as You lead me Father, I will resurrect the dead dreams, hopes, and desires that You still want to bring to pass in my life. I get past the pain of my past and I grant You access to the burial ground of dead possibilities in my heart. Nothing is impossible in and with You! By Your grace I start believing again and dreaming again! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
