Jesus is Essential
John 11:39–44: Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Lazarus was dead, and all sinners are dead. He was decayed, because death and decay go together. All lost people are spiritually dead, but some are more “decayed” than others. No one can be “more dead” than another. Lazarus was raised from the dead by the power of God, and all who trust Christ have been given new life and lifted out of the graveyard of sin. Lazarus was set free from the grave-clothes and given new liberty. You find him seated with Christ and all believers are now “seated with Christ.” 1
Walking with Jesus
When the Word of God instructs you, do you try to reason with God, or do you obey immediately? What stone is currently in the way in your life? Will you deal with it so Jesus can do a miraculous work for you, and for the glory of God to be seen?
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24
You can see the glory of God every time a lost sinner is saved and freed.
Praying
Lord, thank You for calling my name and delivering me from the power of sin.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books., J. V. (1991).
