Monday, May 30, 2011
John 11:44 "And Death Obeyed" (May 30)
John 11:44 - Jesus didn't roll away the stone---he asked for a man to do it and participate in what he was about to do. Lazarus, who had died 4 days ago, came out. His hands and feet were bound with linen strips. His face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Again, he asks for man's help in this miracle. Am I willing to move into people's lives to unbind those things that we cannot do for ourselves?
The Jews followed the customs of the Egyptians wrapping their dead up in folds and folds of linen cloth. The arms and hands were bound close to the sides of the body; and the entire body was wound from head to foot, then the ends of the cloth were sewn shut. Only a napkin would be secured to the face making it possible for Lazarus to see. However, it was literally impossible for any man to break out of the linen shroud, much less if he was a man who was sick unto death. Man would have to help Lazarus.
With a Loud Voice, Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the grave. And death obeyed. One day, with a Loud Voice, we all will be called out of our graves. God will "speak again with the voice of an archangel to all who are in their graves, and they shall come forth and live (1Th 4:16)." Until that day, may we further the Gospel and loose those things that are impossible for our famiy and friends to find freedom.
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Hi, Guys!
ReplyDeleteJust a little heads up here. I'm probably going to be missing in action for a little while. I know I'm only here off and on, so you probably won't even notice... :) But I'm going to spend the Summer doing my own Bible study. I'll stop here to say hi every now and then to check up on you all, but for the most part you won't see my comments on here. Please feel free to stop by my blog if you want.
Happy Summer!
Much love to all of my precious pearls! I'll be back!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I've heard it taught that Jesus called Lazarus by name,,,for had He just called come forth,,,all the dead would have come out of their graves. He does know us by name. What a blessed thought.Thinking today of those who gave their lives on the battlefield so that we might live in freedom. May we so live as to honor them and most importantly may we so live as to free others who are bound up in the grave clothes of sin.
ReplyDeleteCaiaphas had no idea of the profoundness of what he spoke.
ReplyDelete"Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish."
Out to get Jesus, Caiaphas had an evil heart, but the same motive as God to send His Son for the sake of His children.
(Mary Lou, I can still hear Adrian Rogers preaching that sermon and the "a-hah" of that moment saying he had to say Lazarus or every tomb would be opened!)
To me, these words are the heart of the Gospels, the climax of course is Christ risen, but the heart is He did it for you and me. Unfathomable love. Amazing grace.
I will really miss your comments Ang! We will all miss you! Come back home soon.
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