Unbind Him
“I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."”
John 11:42-44
This is one of those passages of scripture that I can never read through quickly. It is too incredible! A DEAD man GOT UP. It always draws a heavy thought, emotion and prayer. Even death obeys the Savior. Who am I that I would dare not obey? Reverent fear is that it is completely terrifying what the Almighty is capable of but there is great joy and peace in being on His side. It is astounding that I am personally pursued for any relationship at all with God and that that desired relationship so good and full of love. He is on my side too! It is mind-blowing that the depth of this encounter surpasses acquaintanceship into marriage. How astonishing that the Holy Spirit of this glorious, powerful God has been offered to us by a simple request and complete devotion! Furthermore, despite my weaknesses, He helps to funnel me into a position that provides the option of obedience for my sake and His glory. Who am I that such life would be granted to me? I am the I Am's. My flesh may fail but my God never will. It so often seems that this world is one ongoing tragedy. If you keep reading beyond this passage, however, you find another statement of hope when Jesus said in John 16:33 "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Hallelujah! My friend once said as he and my husband led worship together "We are fighting losing battle, and we win". Amen.
After Jesus raised Lazarus from death to life, obviously, people were talking about it.
“Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."” John 11:45-48
Good grief!! Re: "If we let him go on like this".. As if they and any control over Jesus Christ! "everyone will believe him!" Even people who denied that Jesus was the Messiah had to acknowledge the power that He displayed. Even the ones who eventually killed Him spoke of the miracles He performed! The Pharisees did not want Jesus acknowledged as Lord but they clearly knew that they were denying the undeniable. There is powerful evidence in one's testimony so we must not be silent about any encounter we have with God.
Understand that we were as dead as Lazarus when we remained in our sin. Thanks to the love and power of our Almighty God through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound and we live free! That same power resides within us as believers! That's huge!
If we live in the power of the Holy Spirit and call attention to the glory of Jesus in the world; if we get over ourselves and continuously examine our lives, confess our sins and repent to better promote Jesus; If we quit hammering on the 'how to be' and just 'BE', wouldn't the power of God act out even further and louder?! Would we (ahem..I) not be so fearful of everything in this world and finally live in the comfort of peace and hope that God promises us? Would disasters only sadden us and bring us to prayer rather than surprise us and make us lose our minds? Would we better promote "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven"? (Matthew 6:10) Death is just a hiccup and is of little burden to the heart that belongs to Jesus Christ. Oh, if only we (sigh..I) would just TRUST HIM! It is most certainly the one thing worthy!