Following after Jesus #94

As we have seen in John 11, Jesus has finally arrived to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, where Lazarus has died a few days earlier. He has expressed His love and concern for Martha and then Mary. Now He is ready to get down to work:

 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 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.”  

It was not uncommon for Jesus to visit the tomb with these women. In those first few days grieving families would often do so. But after the third day they would usually stop going, believing there was no way the deceased would revive.  So Jesus' suggestion that they open the grave was in fact unthinkable. It was a true test of their faith.  Martha and Mary responded in obedience. Jesus then thanked God for hearing, for caring, for being there. After this He gave the voice of command - a loud yell: "Lazarus, come out!" As it echoed for all to hear, Lazarus did come out. Jesus' final statement here shows the truth of the matter: "This man is now free."  As we celebrate Resurrection Day today, it's all about the Resurrection Power of Christ.  It was the third day, the last day before the women would give up hope, when they came to the tomb. There was another earth-shaking voice that opened the grave. And there were more commands given to Christ-followers: Go and tell the Good News of freedom from sin and death that Christ has accomplished."