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
Lord Jesus, we have much in common in Lazarus. Until you gave us new life through the Gospel, we were “separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). We didn’t need a fresh start; we needed a new heart—to be born again. Thank you for giving us what we could never deserve or earn.
As surely as Lazarus needed to be freed from his grave clothes, we too aren’t as free as you intend. Until the Day we are made perfect in love (1 John 4:18), we will need grace on a daily basis. The smells, signs, and habits of our old life still cling to us, bind us, and trip us up.
Just as Lazarus needed help from friends, so do we. Help us give and receive this kind of friendship, Jesus. We hate to be a bother. We hate to disappoint people. Being weak, vulnerable, and dependent don’t come easy to us. Most of us have been raised to figure stuff out on our own.
But you have created and redeemed us for loving, caring, serving relationships. Maybe this week, we can pretend less—asking friends to pray for us, being open about our fears and struggles. Maybe we can assume less—not resorting to fixing anyone; instead, offering a kind, encouraging, burden-bearing presence. Help us Jesus. So Very Amen.