Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” John 11:43
I sat down to Bible study this morning with an idea for next week's lesson. However, the idea did not appear to have enough substance in the scriptures to carry it through to completion. Appearances can be deceiving, as the old saying goes. A tough lesson is a test we cannot let stop us. And indeed, what if Lazarus had tried to get up and found himself bound up in grave clothes? No 'what if?' about it, he did find himself in that circumstance!
As the power of the divine command showed how Death's hold could not stand against the authority of our Lord Jesus, Lazarus met a tough obstacle. How does one get up in obedience when the grave dressers of the world have one bound up hand and foot? And that cloth covering the face didn't help one get a good breath either! I can imagine Lazarus having one moment of decision there in that grave: get up in spite of the tough obstacles in the circumstance, or lay back down and accept the waiting arms of Death, yet again. We know how the story came out, Lazarus obeyed his friend and Lord, and did not let a tough situation stop him. Quickened to life by the Lord and energized by His command, Lazarus came forth from the grave.
Now what circumstance seems too tough for you and me today? Where is Jesus our Lord quickening us to go? Lazarus was dead and bound up tight in grave clothing; what circumstance is too tough for you and me to face, with our faces uncovered and our limbs free? No, bound up with something in this world as we are, what circumstance is too tough when our Lord speaks His command, "Come forth!" and energizes us to new life and freedom with a little help from our friends?
Have a great day in Christ Jesus!
Bucky
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