Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.“ John 11:43-44 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, you spoke the words, “Come out!”, to a dead Lazarus, and he was raised from the dead. The same thing happened to us when you applied the gospel to our hearts. We passed from death to life—from condemnation for our many sins, to being clothed with your perfect righteousness. Thank you for your sovereign, irresistible, resurrecting grace.
Yet as surely as Lazarus needed to be freed from his grave clothes, we too are far from being as free as you intend. The smells, signs, and habits of our old life still cling to us, bind us, and trip us up. And just as Lazarus needed the help of us his friends to get free, so do we. Help us give and receive this kind of friendship.
To be specific, Jesus, we need freedom from what people think of us. Criticism and rejection can devastate us; and praise and appreciation can “make” us. That’s not a healthy sign. May your unwavering love for us, and great delight in us, define us more than anything else. What do the mere opinions of men count?
And grant us more freedom from our self-centered pursuits, soul-sapping anxieties, and anger-producing triggers. You have the hearts of all kings and the course of history in your hands. Surely, we can trust you with our stories, fears, and wounds.
Unbelief is the most tenacious fragment of grave clothes, still wrapped tightly around our hearts. We believe the gospel; help us to believe it much more. Continue to topple our idols, smash our broken cisterns, and be our greatest treasure. Free us to trust you with all things and all people at all times, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and grace-full name.