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 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, you spoke the words, “Come out!”, to a dead Lazarus, and he immediately came to life. The same thing happened to us when you applied the Gospel to our hearts. We passed from death to life—from condemnation for our sins, to the clothing of your perfect righteousness. Thank you for your sovereign, irresistible, resurrecting grace.
Yet as surely as Lazarus needed to be freed from his grave clothes, we too are in need of greater freedom and healing. The smells, signs, and habits of our old life still cling to us, bind us, and trip us up. And just as Lazarus needed the help of us his friends to get free, so do we. Help us receive, and give, this kind of Gospel-friendship.
Free us from the grave-clothes of people’s opinions. Criticism and rejection can devastate us; and praise and appreciation can seduce us. May your unwavering love for us, and great delight in us, define us more than anything else.
Free us from the grave-clothes of unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. We have real wounds; but your grace is greater, and your Spirit is powerful. Help us to forgive others, as you have forgiven us, Jesus. Sometimes it’s hard.
Free us from the grave-clothes of self-centered pursuits, soul-sapping anxieties, and anger-producing triggers. You have the hearts of all kings, and the course of history, in your hands. Surely, we can trust you with our stories, fears, and traumas.
Unbelief is the most tenacious fragment of grave clothes, still wrapped tightly around our hearts. We believe the Gospel; help us to believe it much more, Jesus. We are allergic to grace. Continue to topple our idols, smash our broken cisterns, and be our greatest treasure. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and grace-full name.