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- Feb 9, 2004
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Lazarus, Rise!
John 11:37-39
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, 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 him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 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. 42 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.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 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.”
You see, Jesus not only raised Lazarus, He said "Loose him, and let him go.". Metaphorically speaking, we being born-again Christians need to loose the old man, loose the past and let them go. This requires forgiving others, forgiving ourselves and ultimately repenting of our sins. This requires serious humility and difficult, but required forgiveness of hurt that others have bestowed on us.
You may be afraid to completely welcome back the husband who damaged your marriage before, or forgive your boss for being cruel, or to give an ex-con a job so we can "loose him and let him go" to do the purpose GOD has set for that man. You may be afraid to forgive your mother who belittled you when you were a child and verbally abused you. Your afraid of the possibility that the hurt may return, but you need to forgive, forget. Loose and let go.
A man stays 'dead' if he is not forgiven by those whom he has hurt, such as a wife, child, boss. He can be set loose and free in Christ if he is given another chance. He may wreak of filth, of the old ways but healing can take place when we let go of the past, forgive and move on. When we carry each other's burdens and remember that GOD has a purpose for each individual. Jesus said, "loose him and let him go" AFTER he raised Lazarus from the dead. Its not easy, but its the only way to bring back the life GOD has intended for a person.
John 11:37-39
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, 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 him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 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. 42 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.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 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.”
You see, Jesus not only raised Lazarus, He said "Loose him, and let him go.". Metaphorically speaking, we being born-again Christians need to loose the old man, loose the past and let them go. This requires forgiving others, forgiving ourselves and ultimately repenting of our sins. This requires serious humility and difficult, but required forgiveness of hurt that others have bestowed on us.
You may be afraid to completely welcome back the husband who damaged your marriage before, or forgive your boss for being cruel, or to give an ex-con a job so we can "loose him and let him go" to do the purpose GOD has set for that man. You may be afraid to forgive your mother who belittled you when you were a child and verbally abused you. Your afraid of the possibility that the hurt may return, but you need to forgive, forget. Loose and let go.
A man stays 'dead' if he is not forgiven by those whom he has hurt, such as a wife, child, boss. He can be set loose and free in Christ if he is given another chance. He may wreak of filth, of the old ways but healing can take place when we let go of the past, forgive and move on. When we carry each other's burdens and remember that GOD has a purpose for each individual. Jesus said, "loose him and let him go" AFTER he raised Lazarus from the dead. Its not easy, but its the only way to bring back the life GOD has intended for a person.
