(John 11:41-44 NIV) So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 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.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 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.”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by continuing with the story of Mary and Martha. After all the talking, after all the tears, and after all the delays (due to Martha’s interruptions), they finally took away the stone. The sisters had done their part and Jesus was ready to do His. Jesus had already prayed. He already knew what was going to happen, but He spoke out loud with the Father, for the benefit of those standing there. He was already a believer. He already believed that Lazarus was coming back from the dead. He already trusted the Father. But Jesus wanted this act of God’s power to be a witness to all present. Jesus knew that this miracle would cause them to expand their capacity to believe. He knew that this would stretch them and their faith. He said, “Lazarus, come out!” That was it. He spoke just three words, but these were three words spoken in faith. These were three words declared in complete confidence in the power of God. And just like that, the spirit of Lazarus rushed back into his four-day-dead body.
Lazarus struggled his way out of the cave, covered from head to toe in strips of linen. I am sure he looked like a mummy from an old movie. He was alive, but he was still wrapped up in grave clothes. He was alive, but he was still covered in ‘dead stuff.’ So Jesus said to the others who were there, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” I like the way the King James Version puts it: “Loose him, and let him go.” Lazarus was alive, but bound. He had life, but he did not have freedom. And what I like about it was that he could not get free all by himself. Jesus sent others to help him get free from the ‘dead-stuff’ that was keeping him bound. That’s how it is with us when we get Born-Again. Are we alive in Christ? Yes! Do we have eternal life in Him? Absolutely. But we come out of the cave of our old life wrapped up in ‘dead stuff.’ As much as we try, we cannot free ourselves of all the dead stuff that keeps bound. We need the help of others, co-laborers in God, and the power of God Himself, to walk in the freedom God desires for us to have.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Determine within yourself to be the one of the believers who gets results from God. This will require you to come to God a pure heart and strong faith.
2. Continue to believe, no matter how dead the situation seems. We serve a God that can give life to dead situations!
3. Don’t allow frustration to blind you from possibilities. Once you lose your joy and peace, frustration will set in. Once frustration sets in, you are no longer in faith.
4. Know that you can’t do it by yourself. It’s time-out for lone rangers in Christ. Lazarus could not get free by himself and Jesus did not expect him to. Jesus literally sent people to help him and He will do the same with you. There is strength in numbers, so allow others to help you in your Christian journey. There are people who want to help, receive their help and grow in Christ!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for giving me real examples in scripture that I can identify with. I can connect with the pain of Mary and Martha. I can relate to their frustration and I can learn from what they did (both good and bad). I will add patience to my faith and maintain my joy and peace as I walk with You. I thank You for surrounding me with great brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t have to walk this walk by myself and I am glad about it. You send people to help me and I will receive their help. Together, we grow into the people You have called, destined, and desire for us to be. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
