Rescued from a Dead Stinking Situation

Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead…by this time he stinketh: he has been dead four days.

John 11v39

Lazarus was not only dead but as his sister told Jesus that by this time (when Jesus came) he was beginning to stink. In other word Martha was saying ‘I have known you for a while Lord, I know how great you are but I believe this one is out of your hands, you will not be able to change this.’ In verse 40 as Jesus responded to her I can picture his gentle face and hear the calm in his voice. He carried on with the task in hand; thanking his father for what was about to happen.

As I read the rest of the story I could hear this thunderous voice (Sorry I have an overactive imagination) saying to Lazarus to come out of the grave and the picture of him trying to come out bounded hand and feet caused me to chuckle. It might have been a struggle for Lazarus but a command was made and nothing was going to stop him.

We need to make sure we hear the voice that is calling us from our dead stinking situation. We shouldn’t let the situation rob us of the ability to hear him call. Lazarus had to act; if he had not moved then there would be no sweet victory. Jesus is the life giver and he wants to bring life to every situation that is in our lives. We need to solicit the help of God; Jesus talked to his father about the matter in hand, some things will not move without his intervention. He is the one who is all powerful and there is nothing hard for him to do. He ordered the stone blocking the tomb be moved away, whatever hindrances that exist he is commanding that they be moved.

It is important to note that the belief of that day was that the spirit did not leave the body after death until three days. Jesus turned up on the fourth day so the skeptics could not then say Lazarus was still alive. Sometimes we have to wait for longer periods to get out of our situations and we may sometimes believe that God has deserted us but he acts on his divine timing.

This maybe one of the most impossible stories you have ever heard but look at it this way; if Jesus could do that then, your situation is by no means out of his capabilities. I took note that although Jesus gave the command for him to come out of the grave he asked the people to loose him. Be open to the help of those around; they maybe the answer to our deliverance out of our circumstances. We are not called to be spectators. Andrew Murray said that there is no plan B but us (we are his hands, feet and mouth piece)

There was a reason for Lazarus being raised from the dead; many of the Jews began following Jesus and oh guess what? The chief Priest wanted to kill him for that. (John 12 verses 9-11) Everyone will not jump for joy at your deliverance but if one person’s future is tied up in it then go for it.

Jesus is on a mission to rescue us from whatever is keeping us down, I challenge you to listen and act on his every instruction and I assure you your life will never be the same.



Copyright - M. Smith-Williams - April 2008