Coming Out of the Grave: A Devotional

John 11:38-44 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  “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.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I 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.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The 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.”

As his grave clothes were being removed, what were the thoughts that might have went through Lazarus’ head. Certainly, there was joy and thanksgiving at having more time with his beloved sisters, Martha and Mary, as well as with his dear friend, Jesus. He must have marveled at new opportunities to finish projects left undone when he became ill and died. I imagine that he hugged a weeping Jesus and thanked Him for bringing him out of the darkness and back into the land of the living.

Some troubles and struggles can feel like we are in the darkness of the grave, unable to see any change happening. The situation, whether in the family, on the job, in the religious institution, or in our finances, has started to stink and we believe that all hope is gone.

But, when life seems the darkest, we must do as Jesus commanded Martha: Hold on to our faith and believe that there is nothing impossible for God. Our trust in the Lord must not wither. We are required to look at the problem through the eyes of faith, not using our finite mind to understand but knowing that the Lord has no limitations on what He can do. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Hold on to the same certainty that Jesus possessed that the Lord hears our prayers. Know that when the Lord calls you to come out to the grave of your situation, you must take off the old garments of feelings and relationships that kept you in the grave. You will be free to live your life for God’s glory, for whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).

Amen.

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