Grave Clothes

 John 11: 43-44, 'Now when He has 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 is a great picture of what our lives must look like to God before salvation. What I love about this story is, Jesus went to him, not the other way around...so many people claim that they have found the Lord...this is impossible because God isn't lost - we are!!

1st Pet. 2: 9 - '...who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;'

We've been called out of the tombs of our sin's past, shame, darkened lives. Bear in mind however, calling doesn't equal a command...just because Jesus calls, doesn't mean we have no choices to make. Lazarus, made the decision to come out of his tomb...will you?

Another thing that we must note here is, Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, but when he appeared at the mouth of the tomb, he was still wrapped in grave clothes...this is where many Christians live. You may be free, but you're still wrapped up in things that hinder your walk with Jesus!!

You see, grave clothes limit your movement, and keep you from advancing out of the dead and dark things that entangle you on a daily basis!

Let me ask you - how long are you going to entangle yourself with dead things? Jesus told us plainly in Luke chapter 9 to 'Let the dead bury the dead' > it's dead, it cannot help you at all. Leave it be.

One final thing to note which is equally important, no, it's critical as we continue our journey for Christ.

Take note of what Jesus said...He told the people to take the grave clothes off of Lazarus...Jesus didn't take them off - He used other people to do so! In this lies the power of relationship...God will use other people to remove dead things out of your life!

Listen, it's one thing for me to rebuke and / or exhort you concerning something...many of you will regard or heed the words of your spiritual leaders and pastors...but what about your brother/sister? What about someone who is younger in the faith?  Will you allow them that right?

Great example is Naaman and his servants...when they rebuked him for not listening to the prophet about dipping in the Jordan; he actually listened to his subordinates...he didn't let his pride get in the way, and the results were being healed! What about you?
Will you let others inside? There's a humility and a vulnerability that must take place in order for these grave clothes to be taken off...allowing your comrades in Christ do this, is a big step towards spiritual strength and maturity.