Unbinding the Past: A Journey Through John 11

Can Jesus truly breathe new life into the seemingly dead areas of our lives? On this episode of Beyond Sunday, we journey through John chapter 11, where Jesus performs the miraculous act of raising Lazarus from the dead. We'll explore the depths of Jesus' authority over death and consider how his transformative power can resurrect our own broken dreams, relationships, or faith. By examining the intense emotional landscape Martha and Mary navigate before witnessing their brother's revival, we invite you to reflect on your own trust in Jesus' ability to bring light into the darkest corners of your existence.

But the miracle doesn't end with Lazarus' return to life; it extends into the realm of community. Discover how Jesus’ call to "unbind him and let him go" highlights the critical role we play in each other's spiritual journeys. We'll delve into the significance of the communal act of removing the stone and the grave clothes, uncovering how we can actively participate in the miracles happening around us. Join us for an inspiring discussion on faith, community, and the boundless power of Jesus' call to new life.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:37

Welcome to Beyond Sunday, where we delve into scripture to find guidance and insight for our daily lives. Today, we're exploring John chapter 11, a profound narrative that tells of Lazarus' resurrection, a miracle that teaches us about Jesus' authority over death and the transformative power of his call into new life. For just a moment, imagine someone trapped in a deep cave, isolated and surrounded by darkness, thinking their situation is permanent. Then, out of nowhere, a rescuer appears, not only showing them the way out, but also providing the light that guides their steps back to the open world. The joy of rescue, however, is only fully realized when they step into the sunlight, leaving the cave and its associated fears behind. Let me ask you a question have you ever felt like something in your life was beyond revival, Perhaps a dream, a relationship, a marriage, or even fate itself, marriage or even faith itself? What would it mean to not only see that area revived, but also to fully step away from the shadows that once defined it? In John chapter 11, we see Jesus arriving in Bethany after Lazarus has been dead for four days. Despite the despair of Martha and Mary, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, showing his mastery over life and death. If you don't know the story. Lazarus was sick and his siblings sent word to Jesus and said hey, you've got to come. And Jesus' response in scripture was that he loved them so much, but he stayed where he was. And he stayed where he was for a lot of reasons, and one of the biggest reasons, I believe, is he needed to address a need in their life. Their focus of the need was that their brother was sick. His focus of their need was that they needed to see the glory of God on display. They needed to see the glory of God on display.

Speaker 1: 2:41

The first thing we see is this power of Jesus' call. When he arrives on scene with Mary and Martha, Jesus' approach to Lazarus' tomb is deliberate. Despite the mourning and hopelessness surrounding him, he is undeterred. Now, at first, he does mourn with those that are mourning. He cries with those that are crying. He cries with those that are crying. He weeps, as Scripture says, but as he commands the group to take him to the tomb, he calls out Lazarus, come out. It's a demonstration of his power not just to resurrect, but to command obedience to his very words. So let me ask you this how do we respond to Jesus's calls in our lives, especially those that seem impossible? Can we trust his power to bring new life where we see only endings? Let me say that again Can you trust his power to bring new life in areas of your life where you only see things endings? Ephesians 2, verses 4 and 5 says but God, being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By this passage echoes the theme of life through divine intervention.

Speaker 1: 4:08

The second thing I see is really the community's role in this resurrection. After Lazarus emerges from the tomb, Jesus tells those around him unbind him and let him go. This instruction is significant. It's not enough for Lazarus to be alive, but he must also be freed from his grave clothes, the symbols of his past death. In what ways are you and I called to help others in their walk back to life? How can we aid in removing the remnants of their grave clothes so they can fully embrace the new life Christ offers? On top of that, in this story, Jesus also, before Lazarus comes out, tells the crowd to help remove the stone. I want you to just for a moment focus on the fact that Jesus could have done all of this himself, but he's involving people in the miracle. As you look at those around you, how should you be involved in their miracle, Removing the stones that are blocking the miracle from happening, helping remove the grave clothes so they can fully embrace the freedom that they have? James Durst once said help one another. There's no time like the present and no present like the time. This quote emphasizes the urgency and importance of community support in our spiritual journeys. The last thing I want to talk about I've actually been talking about for a moment and that's the removing of the grave clothes. I want to dive deeper into what it means to remove those clothes.

Speaker 1: 5:43

When something in your life is brought back from the brink, be it faith, hope or love, it's crucial that we also shed the bindings of past hurts, failures or doubts that may still cling to us. Imagine, if you will, a marriage that is falling apart and, by the grace of god, the marriage and the love for each other is resurrected. But the two people that had been hurt as the marriage was failing never let go of the past things. They never get counseling to work through things. They never forgive each other, Though they may feel like they are in a great place. They are going to suffer for the rest of their life, until they deal with it, until they take those grave clothes from the past off.

Speaker 1: 6:29

Just as Lazarus needed to be unbound to fully experience and demonstrate his new life, we too must let go of old bindings to embrace the fullness of life Jesus offers us. Isaiah 43 encourages us Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See that I am doing a new thing, and now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? This is a powerful reminder to release the past and look forward to the new things that God is doing.

Speaker 1: 7:01

For the rest of the day, I want you to reflect on Lazarus' story. We see a powerful metaphor in this story for our own spiritual rebirth. Just as Lazarus was called out to new life, you and I are both invited to leave our tombs and the trappings of our past. 2 Corinthians 5.17 says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here. May we embrace this new creation, leaving behind the tomb and its wrappings. Thanks for joining me today. Until next time, may you walk in the resurrection power of Christ, free from the past and alive to the possibilities of today.