It's Time to Get Up
John 11:1-45
We could all use good news right now and I have good news for you. God has a resurrection for you! He wants to bring you into the light again. He wants to bring you out of that tomb of oppression and give you a new start. And listen! He has the power to do it. He can bring you back to life
This powerful stolry in John 11 speaks to this.
Remember it with me, Mary and Martha who lived in Bethany and were some of Jesus's closest friends. They sent word to him that their brother, whose name is Lazarus, is desperately ill. "Please come, We need your help. Hurry. He is sinking fast." But by the time Jesus gets there, Lazarus has died and has been in his grave for four days. Mary and Martha come out to meet Jesus and they express their grief:" He's gone. We've lost him. O Lord, if only you had been here, our brother would not have died."
The family and friends have gathered and in their deep sorrow, they begin to weep over the loss of their loved one, Lazarus. The heart of Jesus goes out to them, and Jesus weeps with them. He loved Lazarus, too, he loves them, and shares their pain. Jesus goes out to the cave-like tomb and he says to them, "Roll back the stone." Martha always the realist says there will be a terrible odor." Jesus says to her, "Martha, only believe and you will see the power of God."
So they roll the stone away, and Jesus cries out in a loud voice:" Lazarus, come forth!" And incredibly, miraculously, amazingly, before their very eyes...Lazarus Is resurrected? He comes out of the tomb. He still has on his grave clothes. His head and feet are still wrapped with mummy-like bandages. Jesus then turns to the friends and family and says to them, "Unbind him and let him go. Unwrap him and set him free."
In this graphic and dramatic story three awesome lessons jump out at us. Three great truths emerge that can be helpful to us today. Let me list them for us : Jesus wept with those he loved and he still does. Jesus raised people up and he still does. Jesus included others in the healing process, and he still does.
We will look closer at these great truths this week!
Questions to Ponder
Is it time for you to get up?
Do you need God's help to do so?
Do you need to be set free?
In His Service,
Terry Phillips
