“Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’” John 11:43-44
Dear Jesus, I’ve pondered, prayed, and preached this text many times, but it keeps drawing me back. Probably because I’m not as free as you intend. As surely a post-resurrection Lazarus needed to be freed from his grave clothes, so do I (we). The smells, signs, and shackles of our old life still cling, bind, and trip us up. Continue to heal and free us, Jesus.
Free us from caring too much about what people think. Criticism and rejection can devastate us. Praise and appreciation can seduce us. Anger and rage can paralyze us. May who we are in you, and what you say about us, define and delight us more than anything else.
Free us from unforgiveness, resentment, and a critical spirit We have real wounds, Jesus, but your grace is greater. You’ve forgiven us everything. Therefore, loving much should come easier to us than it does. Help!
Free us from our insecurities, emotional-Achilles heels, and shame. The hearts of kings and the course of history are in your hands. Surely, we can trust you with our secrets, fears, and self-contempt.
Free us from unbelief—the most tenacious, freedom-robbing of all “grave-clothes.” We believe, help our unbelief. The less we rest in your love, the more our restlessness takes us to worthless idols, broken cisterns, and affairs of the heart and body.
Jesus, free us for living and loving to your glory. Make us outlandishly generous with mercy, more joyful than we can imagine, and so relationally present it will shock some who know us.
Indeed, just as Lazarus’ freedom required help from his friends, so will ours. Help us receive and give this kind of friendship—and receive and give it some more all the way Home. So Very Amen, we pray.