By Michele Degarmo
“Roll away the stone…Lazarus, come out of the tomb…Unwrap him and let him loose.”
John 11: 39,43-44
I must give credit for the idea of this blog to my pastor, Clayton Grenfell, as he gave me this word picture of Lazarus being bound in graveclothes last week in church. The picture was so vivid to me – a man, having been dead for days, walking out of the tomb bound in graveclothes. Hands tied, feet tied and a cloth covering his face. Clayton also discussed what happened next when Jesus gave these three commands.
These three commands above are given by Jesus to restore life to His friend, Lazarus, and to set him free. Can you see how God uses us in His plans to set people free? First, Jesus told the people around the tomb to “roll away the stone.” We initiate the action because of our trust and obedience to His word. Then, He commanded Lazarus to come forth. Just before this, in verse 42, Jesus thanked his Heavenly Father for hearing His prayer “for you hear every word that I speak.” And Jesus also wanted to be sure that the people standing around the scene would understand where His power comes from –His Father in heaven because of His thankful heart! And finally, the command goes back to the people to “unwrap him and let him loose.”
Let’s delve a little deeper because this true story is so good!
The first command was to us, the people standing around the tomb. We know so many people who are living in a tomb! Spiritually dead, unable to resurrect themselves, not knowing what to do, where to go or how to get there. But we have the answer, and we’re standing right next to the door to their tomb! Will we ignore their need? Will we pretend we don’t see that giant stone blocking them from their freedom? Or will we, in obedience to Jesus’ words, roll away their stone? Because, if you’ll notice, that’s all he commands us to do at first. He doesn’t say “roll away the stone, get completely enmeshed in the nitty-gritty of their lives, and carry them on your back.” He doesn’t say that here. He says to roll away the stone. Open the door. Tell them about your God and what He offers because He’s waiting on the other side of the stone, the door, for them. If you read on, you’ll see the next command for Lazarus comes from Jesus Himself.
In the second command, Jesus, with all the power and authority given Him by his Heavenly Father, cries with a loud voice (or “shouts with all authority” in TPT), “Lazarus! Come forth!” It’s easy to think that Jesus was able to do this because he’s Jesus after all! But, as stated earlier, Jesus first thanked God his Father for hearing His prayer. He told God that He wanted all those standing by to know that His power and authority came from His Father. All Jesus needed to do was to ask for it and be thankful for it. And in John 14:12, Jesus tells His disciples, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” Jesus made it clear to us that whatever works we see Him doing in the scriptures, all the signs and wonders, we have the same ability/authority/power because of His Holy Spirit living in us. No power comes from us. The only accessible power is through our God. Jesus asked for it. We can ask for it. And as we trust and obey, won’t God Himself reveal to us what we need to know about it? Full trust, full faith, full obedience. That was Jesus’ approach.
And finally, the third command from Jesus comes right back to our actions. “Unbind him.” Can you see Lazarus standing there, all bound up in grave clothes? They were wrapped around his feet, his arms and his face. (It was a miracle he came out standing up!) He couldn’t unbind himself. He was stuck. He was blinded by the wrapping. Ever been there? Do you know someone who is there now? Who unwrapped you? Piece by piece, they took the time to unravel the bindings that held you tightly. I can name many people along my path who have done this for me. And yes, Jesus was in it, of course! But it took earthly, physical people to help me find my freedom in Christ. I still need those faithful people every once in a while! Can you be obedient to that command from Jesus and help unbind someone in your path? Their freedom is worth your obedience, I can testify to that!
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us the example and the command to be thankful and obedient to our Heavenly Father for the power to roll away stones, command people to come forth to meet you, and to unwrap those stuck in their graveclothes. May we be supplied with all the grace, power and wisdom to do so. To You be all the glory and honor.
