Learning from Lazarus

Life often presents moments when we have to release control and trust in something greater than ourselves. Much like rappelling down a mountain, we must let go of our natural instincts. In our spiritual journey, this means loosening our grip on what feels safe and comfortable and embracing the adventure of trusting God's plan.

In John 11, we encounter the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This wasn’t just any miracle; it was personal. Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, weren’t just casual acquaintances of Jesus; they were close friends. Jesus loved them deeply, and their story has something to say to all of us today.

The sisters' responses to Lazarus’s death reveal different aspects of their personalities. Martha, the practical one, went out to meet Jesus when she heard He was coming. Mary, the more emotional sister, stayed home in her grief. Yet, despite their differences, both shared the same faith when they saw Jesus. They both said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Their words reflected their belief, but also their doubts and fears.

In John 11:35, we read the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept." But this verse carries so much more than just sadness. The Greek suggests that Jesus wasn’t just sad; He was angry. Not at the people, but at death itself. Jesus was deeply moved by the pain and devastation that death brings to those He loves. He understands the grief we feel and stands with us in our moments of pain. 

Martha’s hesitation when Jesus asked to roll away the stone reveals a common struggle we face in our own spiritual lives. Even though she just declared Jesus as the Messiah, she hesitated. She said, "Lord, he has been dead for four days—there will be a bad odor." This hesitation is like our own struggles with trusting God. We may believe in His power and acknowledge Him as Lord, but there are times when we hesitate, particularly when God asks us to take specific actions that challenge us.

Where do we struggle to trust God? For many of us, it’s in areas like forgiveness, sharing our faith, generosity with our resources, or letting go of control. These are all areas where we often wrestle with God’s call on our lives.

But just as Jesus called Lazarus by name and commanded him to come out of the tomb, He’s still in the business of calling us by name and rolling away the stones that keep us trapped in our own "grave clothes." He calls us to come out and experience the freedom He offers.

This week, I want to challenge you to think about what "grave clothes" you need to remove in your own life. What areas are you holding back from God’s control? Ask yourself:

• What specific thing am I afraid to trust God with right now?

• What’s my "it stinks" moment, where I believe, but still hesitate to obey?

• What would complete trust in God look like in my current situation?

I encourage you to identify one area where you need to let go and trust God completely. Just as Lazarus had to step out of the tomb, take one step toward releasing control in that area this week. Trust God to bring freedom in your life.

Remember, Jesus knows your name, and He’s calling you to freedom. The question is, will you trust Him enough to let go?

Blessings,

Pastor John Joiner