3-12/14- Come Out Lazarus!

38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.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.”

40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.42I 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.”

43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The 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.” (John 11:38-44)

Thoughts: Jesus wept again.  He commanded that the seal of death be removed.  He proclaimed God's glory and prayed out loud.  Then He commanded the dead to move.  When Jesus prays, the tombs pop open, and the dead move.  Lazarus responded and came out.  He didn't come out singing, preaching, but in silence.  Later Lazarus would preach, then die and be buried in another tomb in Cyprus that we can see today.  But Lazarus was a quiet, living monument to Jesus' power- the power over death.  The power that confirmed his claim to be God.  it was after this great miracle that Jesus rode into Jerusalem with the crowds singing "Hosanna to the King of David!"  This resurrection was confirmed about a week and a half later when Jesus rose from the dead himself when they tried to snuff Him and His message out.  The message of Jesus will not be snuffed out.  We do not need to be ashamed of it- it is the only message of the resurrection and the life.  The world needs us to proclaim the glory of the One who can call us out of our graves. 

Prayer: Lord, help me trust in your ability to save me.  I am as good as dead without you.  When I cannot respond- when I am dead- save me.  May my life be a living monument to your love and power. 

(The author in the tomb of Lazarus in Bethany.  Bethany is a very small town, and it would be unusual if they forgot the spot of this great event).