“Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’ So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.’ Then Jesus shouted, Lazarus, come out!’ And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, ‘Unwrap him and let him go!’” (John 11:40-44, NLT).
This is radical stuff! Nobody walks out of their grave! It simply doesn’t occur, unless Jesus is around. When Jesus shows up there’s no telling what may happen!
How do you greet a newly resurrected person? What do you talk about? Probably not the weather.
As spectacular as Lazarus’ resurrection was, an even more incredible thing is when someone is brought back from spiritual death! If we are not alive in Jesus and enjoying the benefits of heaven’s grace and forgiveness, we are dead!
Can spiritually dead people pray? Not really. They can mouth the words, but it won’t mean anything. But their friends and relatives can pray for them. Rescue from death won’t come from within the grave, but rather from the outside—when Jesus shows up and calls their names!
Jesus is calling today! Time to get up!
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California.
