I am so excited to tell you that Dave Lewis is writing a book! Would you be in prayer for him as he finishes his book and gets it published? I am excited to share an excerpt from his book. I remember the first time I heard this story of Lazarus. It was so impactful to me. Often, people who come to faith in Jesus Christ will, in fact, be born again, yet still be bound by the unresolved issues, pain, and guilt of the past. Bound by so many entanglements, a high percentage of believers are rendered less than fruitful in their faith because even though saved we and they are not free. What will it take for you to be free from your grave clothes?
Please read the true account of the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11) as well as this short story considering the importance of Lazarus’ death and miracle as you may never have read before!
A. Please Read John 11 – the true account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the consequences of that miracle. Reading this chapter first will help put into context the fictional account that follows.
Lazarus The story written by our friend Dr. Marvin Bittinger for use with Basic Training – Volunteer Training Resource
Lazarus awoke with a start. He had had nightmares before, but this one was especially bad. He knew it was only a dream but the fear he felt was real. Still only half awake, he shook his head chasing away the remnants of sleep that still clung to his brain. Perhaps he was in the sun too long yesterday. Maybe the dream had no cause and was just a chance occurrence. Who knows? He rolled on his side, pushed himself up in bed and put his feet on the floor. The cool tiles felt good to the soles of his calloused feet. While he enjoyed living with his sisters he sometimes wished he had married so he wouldn’t have to sleep alone. A drop of sweat trickled down his forehead. The early rising sun had already made his room uncomfortably warm. As Lazarus dressed he thought little of the hot flushed feeling and hint of nausea he felt. Ready for the day he opened the door to his room, stepped onto the small porch and began descending the steps to the courtyard below. Awareness of his weakness dawned gradually with each step he took. Seeing through eyes blurred by fever made the already precarious stairs almost impossible to navigate. As Lazarus took the final step into the courtyard, he was overcome with dizziness. Like a drunken man, he stumbled toward the door of the main house. Half way across the courtyard his legs gave way and he collapsed in a disheveled heap.
Martha was her usual active early morning self. The meal of bread and roasted fish was almost ready. Food from Martha’s kitchen was eaten hot and on time. No one dared be late for one of her meals. She left the house and entered the courtyard to find Mary and Lazarus. No doubt Mary was cloistered in some hidden place meditating and praying for who knows what. Since Jesus’ last visit Martha was trying hard to accept Mary’s lack of help with household chores. It still irritated her. Lost in her thoughts she almost tripped over Lazarus as she crossed the courtyard. Concern crossed Martha’s face as she bent down to examine him. He wasn’t responding. While he seemed awake the words he mumbled made no sense. Bloody saliva drooled from the side of his mouth forming a puddle near her feet. Fear seized Martha. She screamed for Mary, hoping she was near enough to hear.
This was Mary’s favorite part of the day. Alone and undisturbed she could commune with God in unhurried intimacy. It also gave her time away from her workaholic sister. Sometimes her nagging made loving Martha very difficult. But she was her sister after all. Suddenly, Martha’s screams jerked her back to reality. These were not the cries of frustration she was used to hearing. Panic was driving Martha’s words. Mary jumped to her feet, gathered her robe tightly around her waist and ran toward the courtyard.
Lazarus’ confusion and now labored breathing communicated a sense of urgency to both sisters. Calling Lucius, their hired servant, they carried Lazarus into the house and laid him on a pallet near the door. Martha rushed to the well to draw water to cool his fever. He made little response to their attempts to revive him. Remembering the miracles of Jesus and His love for Lazarus they dispatched Lucius to bring Him to Bethany. Perhaps Jesus would perform a miracle and save the life of their brother.
Time seemed to stand still as Mary and Martha fought to keep their brother alive. A torturous day followed by an endless night had them on the verge of collapse. Lazarus continued to worsen. Where was Jesus? He should have been here by now. Did He forget? The life and death struggle continued through the day.
Cries of sadness and agony wafted across the courtyard filling the evening air with the sounds of death. No Jesus, no miracle, no hope. Lazarus was dead. The only thing left to do was bury their brother.
Jewish custom dictated that Lazarus be buried as soon as possible. Mourning would have to wait. With the help of Lucius, they lifted Lazarus’ body from the pallet and placed it on a large table in the center of the room. Lucius stripped and washed the body while Mary and Martha retrieved aromatic ointment and a linen burial cloth from the rear of the house. Fighting back tears, they gently forced Lazarus’ eyes closed and bound his mouth shut. A sweet smell filled the room as the two sisters lovingly anointed his body with the costly ointment. After unfolding the linen cloth, they used it to tightly wrap Lazarus’ body in preparation for burial.
Lazarus awoke with a start. Although his eyes were open, they detected no light. He shivered as the damp coolness of the tomb penetrated the wrappings enveloping his body. The pungent smell of sweet ointment and decaying flesh pierced his nostrils. Breathing was difficult. Trying to move only increased the claustrophobic anxiety that accompanied his fear of smothering.
Suddenly, a bright light penetrated the shroud covering his face. Lazarus’ eyelids snapped shut in response to the stabbing pain caused by light entering his unconstricted pupils. By reflex he attempted to cover his face with his hand, but the linen wrappings held fast. Through the anxiety and pain he heard a familiar voice call his name; “Lazarus, come out.” Compelled to act, Lazarus struggled to free himself. Rocking back and forth, he turned on his side and forced his feet to the floor. He shifted his weight forward and came to an unsteady upright position. Twisting from side to side, Lazarus waddled toward the sound of the voice. After a few steps he became dizzy and almost fell. Gentle hands steadied him and began removing the linen cloth from his body and face. Soon the grave clothes lay at his feet. Lazarus was finally free. He squinted as his eyes slowly adjusted to the light outside the tomb. The human shaped form in front of him gradually came into focus. Lazarus was staring into the face of Jesus.
The story of Lazarus illustrates an important principle of the Christian life. Lazarus was dead. Christ came and gave him new life. He was “born again”. But even though he had new life he was still bound in his grave clothes. The grave clothes prevented him from living out the new life Jesus had given him. It was not until his friends came to his aid and removed the grave clothes that Lazarus was able to live out the new life Christ had provided.
When we became Christians, we were given new life and were spiritually born again. As a result we are now new creatures in Christ. Yet many of us may be still wearing our “grave clothes”. These prevent us from living out the new life we have in Christ. Not only do grave clothes keep us from experiencing what Christ has done, it also keeps us from sharing it with others. As long as Lazarus was in his grave clothes he could not speak to or serve others. His mouth was covered and his legs and arms were bound. In the same way, when we Christians continue to wear our “grave clothes” our ability to speak for and serve Christ is hindered.
Ever wonder why you seem to run into the same hurdles or barriers in your “growing relationship with Jesus Christ”? Have you noticed as you observe others that it is easier to see the source of or at least the nature of the struggles others experience more easily than your own? The purpose of BASIC is to help you identify and be loosed from any “grave clothes” you continue to wear. By doing so, you will be freed to experience even more of the new life Christ has given you and to share it with others.
Jesus said it this way: Matthew 5: 15 – 16 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Are you a believer yet still wear your stinky, stained grave clothes that bind your hands, feet and mouth from serving others? Are you bound by anger, bitterness, condemnation, shame, anxiety, insecurity, fear, guilt, or hurt? Would you allow God to remove those grave clothes?
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Would you ask God to comfort you and allow Him to remove your pain and guilt bringing freedom?
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Would you ask God to bring freedom from your fear and anxiety and replace it with peace?
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Would you ask God to fill your heart with a hunger and thirst for Him and an understanding of His gift of righteousness, removing condemnation?
Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Would you ask God to give you a heart of mercy and forgiveness for those that have hurt you, removing your anger and bitterness?
God desires for you to walk in freedom! His Son died so you no longer have to be bound by your sin or past.