Most of us know the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the tomb (John 11). A tomb where he was laying dead for four days, wrapped in the linen death clothing. A tomb that held the body of one that Jesus loved (v 3,5).
Our pastor often reminds us that we are the ones that Jesus loves. You are, I am, he is, she is, they are. While we may not always love someone, Jesus does. He is love, it is His very essence. Stop for a moment and think on that. You are the one Jesus loves.
What strikes me in this story is something most people just read through. When Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb, because His words brought about creation (Gen 1) and the Word is all that’s necessary to give life, Lazarus exits the tomb bound. His hands and feet are tied and his face wrapped in linen. He walks out, but he’s he is still bound in death’s clothing. Jesus says, in verse 44 (NIV), “Unbind him, and let him go.”
This becomes personal now. What death clothes are you bound in? What has your feet tied, your hands tied, your eyes covered and binds you from living out your life freely in Christ? You are the one He loves!!! Your children are the ones He loves! What binds are we carrying in our lives, like dead women walking, and in turn, binding them with our words, our ideals, our judgement?
Jesus says, “Unbind [them], let [them] go.”
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