Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Be loosed

“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”      John 11:44

Lazarus raised from the dead!  This is one of the last miracles Jesus did before He went to the cross. One of the reasons He did it at this timing, I believe was so that His disciples would know that death is not the end.  This was the message that Jesus was born to tell.  He came to earth and healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and cast the demons out.  All were part of His ministry and mission in the world.  He came to be the example to the New Testament believer and to unveil the new covenant God would reveal through Him. It was only a little over a week after Lazarus was raised that Jesus went to the cross to pay the debt of all sin for all time.  He entered into that covenant with God the Father in our place because we could never (in our fallen condition) fulfill the righteous requirement of that covenant.

Most people think Jesus came to earth so that He could make lost people found, or broken people whole, or sick people well.  But that just isn’t the case. He didn’t come to find lost people, He came to give life to people who were spiritually dead.  Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”  Lazarus’ resurrection was the perfect picture of what Jesus was here to do.  He called Lazarus out of the grave, then He told those around Him to loose him and set him free.  That’s what He does for us when we receive His salvation.  He raises us up out of our grave of sin and corruption, then He calls the body of believers (the church) to help people get loosed from the bondage of sin.

Today I want to encourage you if you haven’t already received the resurrection life that is in Christ Jesus, answer His call today.  Run out of that grave and get yourself around others that can help get you free from the bonds that hold you.  If you have received the new life in Christ, help loose the bonds of sin of others around you.  You have been called out of your grave to help spread that resurrection life. Live your life in this world to the fullest by accepting His great love and salvation and walk out of that grave in His grace and freedom.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 11:38-44           

38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 

39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 

43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”