Living a resurrected life means the thing that killed you cannot hold you. When Jesus called Lazarus, the opinions and the perspective of others, the grave, death nor his bindings could keep Him down and bind Him to a dead situation. Let me ask you, what manner of things are keeping you down and binding you to a dead situation? Is it your job, your relationships, bad stewardship, your behavior or attitude, your perspective, unforgiveness or your inability to break free from your past?
The thing that stands out to me about Lazarus situation is HE WAS DEAD! Therefore, Lazarus had no consciousness of his death or his captivity to death. I do believe that we can be so overtaken by a matter or a thing that we lose all consciousness and feeling of our condition. Often times, it takes others to point it out to us.
Maybe, as a result of perhaps some kind of traumatic occurrence, we undoubtedly become numb to our present state of life. For Lazarus it was sickness. What has lead to your death and captivity? Take a minute and think about that.
Lazarus was in a stinch. He had been dead for four days. Moreover, by this time, his body was beginning to decay and letting off an awful odor. If Jesus was going to do something miraculous, why didn't He do it when He first heard Lazarus was sick or in the event of his death?
Ur...stop the funeral procession.
Four days later...Jesus shows up. "Take away the stone," Jesus said. "Master, please! He's been dead for four days now. By this time, he is decaying and throws off an offensive odor," Martha, Lazuras sister, exclaimed!
Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would, [this day] behold the glory of God? Jesus lifted up His eyes and gave thanks to the Father. Then with a loud voice He shouted, "Lazaurus, come out!"
And out walked the man who had been dead for four days, with his funeral attire on. Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go." (John 11:44-49.)
Now to be quite honest, when Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go." I don't believe he was just talking to the palbearers. I believe Jesus commanded death to let Lazarus go. Jesus commanded Lazarus be loosed from the bondage of death. Death no longer had jursidiction over a man brought back to life. Glory to God!
Another thing that stands out to me is, Jesus used people to loose Lazarus from his bindings. And in many instances, God will use people to deliver us from bondage. HE (being the Greater one) quickens us through His spoken word, and then uses the hands of HIS vessel(s) to deliver us from the captivity of death. Isn't that good?
Returning Back to a Hostile Environment
But did you know that Jesus had to return back to a hostile environment to raise Lazarus from the dead? Yes, He did indeed. In Judea, the Jews intended to stone Him (John 11:7-8). Jesus left Judea to escape death, but the death of a dear friend brought Him back.
This truly blessed me. This taught me that when we are in a dead state of existence, hostile people nor environments, cruel intentions nor death threats can keep Jesus from us. Are you in a dead state? I tell you, LOOK TO JESUS. He will come to help you.
This also taught me that if Jesus was able to perform miracles in hostile environments, then so should we. Jesus always went where there was a need. The will of the Father always trumped the ignorance and jealousy of mere man. DON'T LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM THE MIRACLE.
Resurrected for Purpose
Not only does God resurrect us to demonstrate the power and the glory of God, but also for the advancement of the kingdom through sanctification. When we are raised from spiritual death, we know we live unto God and not the flesh. Moreover, when we are resurrected to new life in Christ Jesus, He gathers us, as an exceeding great army and the Bible says:
- He fills us with the Holy Ghost [Spirit] and life.
- He brings us out of bondage into a place of freedom.
- We receive an inheritance.
- We are unified in His hand, under His Kingship.
- We opt out of idolatry and sin.
- We are made clean.
- We receive the covenant of peace.
- We bear the blessing of God.
- We are set apart for obedience and service unto Him and His purpose.
Now understand this one thing, PURPOSE IS NOT FOUND. PURPOSE IS GIVEN FROM GOD the FATHER.
Many are in search of purpose, but outside of Christ what they find is a counterfeit of what God intended. Listen to me. YOU CANNOT NOR WILL YOU EVER FIND PURPOSE OUTSIDE OF GOD. People have made the mistake of calling their chour their assignment. My God, that's a different message for another day.
If we look closely at Ezekiel 37, we will see that God was in control all along of the making process. There are 15 times throughout Ezekiel 37 where God shows forth His soverignty and divinity in the making of His people by declaring, "I will or I the Lord". So this let's us know that we cannot make a prototype of what God purposed. The things we make are just artificial clones of the original make. DON'T SETTLE FOR BEING A CLONE. BE ORIGINAL. LET GOD MAKE YOU.
Beloved of God, come out of your graves and live. The Bible said, after Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Lazaurus, come out!" Lazarus walked out alive. In order to be set free, when God calls you, you have to come out and stay out of death's way. Amen.
The Good News is there is life after death. There is freedom after being bound. There is hope after suffering the effects of hopelessness. And guess what, the miracle that God is getting ready to perform in your life will lead others to believe in Jesus. Glory to God!
Isn't that Good News? Good News indeed!
KINGDOM BUILDING UNITED
(Promotingthe Good News of Jesus Christ around the globe)
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