“LOOSE HIM, AND LET HIM GO”
One of the most significant episodes in our Savior's mortal ministry is the raising of Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the tomb for four days. It is an astounding public miracle that illuminates core truths about Christ and His Atonement.
In the story Christ receives desperate word from Martha and Mary to come to Bethany, for their brother is deathly ill. Jesus deliberately delays His journey for two days, then announces that Lazarus is dead and that He and His disciples must go to him.
When Christ arrives in Bethany, Martha greets Him with weeping and a gentle rebuke: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (John 11:21). Martha's complaint is followed by her fervent testimony: "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" (v. 22). Jesus affirms His own role and identity: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (v. 25).
The grieving of the sisters, the wailing of the mourners, Christ's own tears, the hostility of certain ones in the crowd, and the melancholy of the grave site constitute a crescendo of human emotion. Jesus commands that the stone covering the tomb's entrance be removed. Martha objects, saying, "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days" (v. 39). Christ says, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God" (v. 40). The stone is removed, and Jesus offers a prayer of gratitude.
The climactic moment comes when Christ cries out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth" (v. 43). Can you imagine the combination of hope, terror, and surprise the people feel when Lazarus obeys and rises, "bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face . . . bound about with a napkin" (v. 44)? The sight and smell of this dead man must have been more than some could bear. Then came Christ's second command to certain others standing by: "Loose him, and let him go" (v. 44).
Christ was commanding the people to free Lazarus, to remove the graveclothes and unbind the wrappings from around his eyes, mouth, hands, and feet—the wrappings of the grave. For he lived again! Think of the joy! But can we imagine also the hesitancy of some to reach out and remove the graveclothes? No doubt some shrank away completely.
For me the Lazarus story provides one of the most powerful metaphors of the Atonement of Christ for all humankind. We are all like Lazarus, beloved of the Lord, but wrapped about in the graveclothes of this world.
I pray that the story of Lazarus will take root more deeply in all of us; that the power of the Atonement will give us courage to "come forth" and allow our graveclothes to be removed; and that we might be both the healers and the healed, the unbinders and the unbound.
One of the most significant episodes in our Savior's mortal ministry is the raising of Lazarus from the dead after he had lain in the tomb for four days. It is an astounding public miracle that illuminates core truths about Christ and His Atonement.
In the story Christ receives desperate word from Martha and Mary to come to Bethany, for their brother is deathly ill. Jesus deliberately delays His journey for two days, then announces that Lazarus is dead and that He and His disciples must go to him.
When Christ arrives in Bethany, Martha greets Him with weeping and a gentle rebuke: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (John 11:21). Martha's complaint is followed by her fervent testimony: "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee" (v. 22). Jesus affirms His own role and identity: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (v. 25).
The grieving of the sisters, the wailing of the mourners, Christ's own tears, the hostility of certain ones in the crowd, and the melancholy of the grave site constitute a crescendo of human emotion. Jesus commands that the stone covering the tomb's entrance be removed. Martha objects, saying, "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days" (v. 39). Christ says, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God" (v. 40). The stone is removed, and Jesus offers a prayer of gratitude.
The climactic moment comes when Christ cries out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth" (v. 43). Can you imagine the combination of hope, terror, and surprise the people feel when Lazarus obeys and rises, "bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face . . . bound about with a napkin" (v. 44)? The sight and smell of this dead man must have been more than some could bear. Then came Christ's second command to certain others standing by: "Loose him, and let him go" (v. 44).
Christ was commanding the people to free Lazarus, to remove the graveclothes and unbind the wrappings from around his eyes, mouth, hands, and feet—the wrappings of the grave. For he lived again! Think of the joy! But can we imagine also the hesitancy of some to reach out and remove the graveclothes? No doubt some shrank away completely.
For me the Lazarus story provides one of the most powerful metaphors of the Atonement of Christ for all humankind. We are all like Lazarus, beloved of the Lord, but wrapped about in the graveclothes of this world.
I pray that the story of Lazarus will take root more deeply in all of us; that the power of the Atonement will give us courage to "come forth" and allow our graveclothes to be removed; and that we might be both the healers and the healed, the unbinders and the unbound.
If you are in Nigeria, you can join us this weekend as the Lord, visit us to our Foundation.
GOD BLESS
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