“Take Away the Stone...Lazarus! Come Out!”

(Lazarus' Hebrew name: “Eleazer,” which means “God helps.”)

“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44

The story of Lazarus in the tomb is one of my favorites in the Bible. It cuts right to the chase and pierces every emotion within me.  The story is filled with miracle after miracle but my favorite takeaway from Lazarus is probably this: we need the power of Jesus to call us out from the dark and tell us to rise, and we need community to help unbind the bandages of sin to help us see and walk again. Where can you find such friends to help intercede?  For those of us in covenant community, they are all around us – in homegroups, support groups, bible studies and so on. You are growing and cultivating friendships whether you realize it or not. Lazarus is a great reminder that it’s not just about “you and Jesus.” It’s Jesus, you and community!

One of my favorite scenes in the story is when Martha meets Jesus on the road to Bethany. She was heart-stricken beyond belief! Part of her was mad at Jesus for not coming sooner, while another part was glad and relieved to see him. Basically, she was one mixed bag of emotions. She believed that if Jesus would have come sooner, this tragedy never would have happened. His response to this allegation brings me to my knees! In John 11:23-25 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus then said, “I AM THE RESURRECTION!”  Her response to Jesus wasn’t necessarily incorrect. But for a brief moment, she forgot who she was speaking with. The one who holds all authority (Rev. 1:17-18). Jesus spoke with power in his voice and was on a mission! He wasn’t just going to perform any miracle – he was about to display a mighty divine miracle from God Himself. (John 11:42)

Another crucial part of the story was Jesus’ disciples. When Jesus tried to explain to them that Lazarus was dead and he was going back to Judea, they weren’t exactly thrilled. You see, Jesus had Jewish bounty-hunters eagerly waiting for him. Despite the stakes being high, Thomas makes a huge statement in vs. 16: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”  

When Jesus finally reaches Lazarus tomb, he was deeply moved again. He told the bystanders in vs. 39, “Take away the stone.”  Who was He speaking to?  Anyone who believed! The crowd anticipating a great miracle to be performed included His disciples and, of course, Mary and Martha. Jesus could have commanded the stone to be rolled away with His voice. But instead, he chose to involve people in the process. Something holy was about to take place and he wanted them to be a part of it. He was also teaching us what faith looks like, which is His love working through action. It’s also great imagery of how our friends help carry our burdens for us. They don’t just pray, but get up and move! They help carry the weight of our trials when we can’t go on. They get dirty in the trenches with us.

Here comes my favorite part: In John 11: 43-44 he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”  I truly believe that if he didn’t call Lazarus by his name, all the dead would have risen! Again, Jesus is the resurrection.

Lazarus, in hearing the familiar voice of his Shepherd, arose and emerged. Another important message you cannot miss is this: “Unbind him and let him go.” Again, He told His disciples, Martha and Mary to unravel the stench of sin; to help unveil the napkins from his eyes so that he could see, and help untie the bandages on his feet so he could walk freely. It takes our community of friends to help take the scales off our eyes and to encourage us to keep walking in our faith. I often wonder if they saved Lazarus’ bandages.  I have to believe they did. Not just as an Ebenezer for them personally to remember what the Lord had done, but more so for others to see. YES, a miracle really did happen and here was the proof!

Having the honor to serve in the Recovery ministry (including Marriage Reconciliation) at The Village Church for eight years, we have seen it all. I can relate so much to Lazarus on a personal level and also as a disciple who has helped take the bandages off others. Christ is our Hope, He is our Redeemer.

Happy Easter everyone! Our great King has risen and lives!