The Unbinding of Obedience

Have you ever been in a situation that shocked you so much you just couldn't move? A situation where someone needed help, but because you were in shock you just stood there and did not help? A situation where someone else had to shout, "Don't just stand there- help me!" for you to come to your senses and help? Situations like that are awkward, but thankfully someone had enough smarts about them to get you to react for the sake of someone who needed help.

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is found in John 11 and is an amazing story to read. Not only because of the miracle He performed is it amazing, but also because it's a story of great love. In verses 43-44 of Chapter 11 we read how this miracle happened. It says that Jesus had told them to roll the stone away from in front of the tomb where Lazarus had been placed and when they did Jesus then said with a loud voice "Lazarus come forth." Lazarus then the passage says came forward bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face also was wrapped around with a cloth and Jesus said to then "Unbind him and let him go." 

Imagine if you will this whole incident taking place. Picture yourself standing there among so many people looking at a dark cave. You then hear Jesus say, “Lazarus come forth” and in an instant here he comes. He comes walking out of this cave, all bound up with cloths or as one translation puts it- grave clothes. Here is this man completely wrapped up from head to toe in cloths standing there before you who had been dead for four days and is now before you- alive! Then while you’re still in shock Jesus says to you along with others that are also standing by to unbind him and let him go. So you go and start to undo all the grave clothes that were binding him. With each cloth you help unbind you notice that he is experiencing more and more freedom with each cloth that is removed and is thankful you are helping him. What kind of moment would that be for you? For me, it would be exciting and yet a little scary and wonderful all at the same time. 

Now also imagine what had to be going through Lazarus’ mind as well, because the last thing he most likely remembered is that he was on his death bed. Then suddenly, he is in front of a crowd and people are taking grave clothes off him. Imagine what this situation had to have been like not only for Lazarus but for all those who were around witnessing this and helping.

This story along with understanding the miraculous power of Jesus should also help us see the importance of helping others. With Lazarus Jesus could have had those grave cloths immediately fall off him, have Lazarus take them off, or even have taken them off himself but he didn't. Lazarus needed the help of becoming free from the things that were binding him, so he could experience true freedom and walk around and live.

The same is true for each of us. Each person that decides to accept Christ is free from the eternity of damnation, however, they still need help, encouragement, and discipling from the things of their pasts and or present that would hinder them. Even though one chooses Christ and becomes a Christian doesn't mean they don't have issues and things they need help to overcome.

We are all called to help people by discipling, encouraging, and praying for them in their daily walk in Christ. To come alongside those who have chosen to become a Christian. To help them with the unbinding process’ that will take place in their lives so they can experience true freedom in Christ. Something though to remember while helping others is to always help others in love and not in condemnation or judgment. To recognize that everything and everyone must go through a process and just as Jesus is patient with us so are we to be with others. We are to just come along and help where we can and be those helping hands and feet to others. To come alongside and help with the unbinding process that each of us goes through just as they did for Lazarus that day. 

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns