Remove the Stone

 The story of Lazarus in John 11:1-45 is fascinating. Lazarus got sick. His sisters Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus to come and help. Jesus intentionally delayed coming for two extra days. In that time Lazarus died. Jesus showed up and was met by two grieving sisters who said the same thing at two different times. If Jesus had just gotten there in time their brother would not have died. 

Jesus told them He was the resurrection and the life and though people died they would live. He exhorted them to believe. Nobody but the Father and Jesus knew what was about to happen. A glorious miracle. 

Jesus told them to remove the stone of the cave where Lazarus was buried. EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE MIRACLES. NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO TAKE FAITH STEPS. MIRACLES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FAITH STEPS. 

Martha immediately commented that removing the stone would release a foul odor of their brother's decomposing body. He had already been dead four days. Removing the stone did not make sense. It was irrational and illogical. Just as much as if I asked you to go dig up the casket of a freshly dug grave. It was not normal. Common sense dictated to leave the stone in place. It was too late to help Lazarus at that point. 

Martha and Mary had a choice. They could have given into to their personal experience. Lazarus died. They had a funeral and buried him. It was all over. Too late. A devastating conclusion. That is what they thought. That is what they saw. Now they had to choose whether to believe what they saw or what Jesus said. 

They did not know what Jesus knew. An epic miracle was about to take place. Before the miracle, they had to take a step of faith and ask that the stone be moved away. Though it did not compute in their minds, they  obeyed the word of Jesus. Slowly the stone was removed. With a loud voice Jesus cried out the now famous words, "Lazarus, come forth." Just three words. The power and authority spoke a miracle. 

The dead man began to move. Lazarus opened his eyes as if awaking from sleep, even though he had been dead for four days. 96 hours Lazarus' body decomposed in the tomb while His soul soared to Heaven. All of that changed with just three words from Jesus. His body was restored. Air filed his lungs again. His heart began to beat again. His pulse quickened. His decaying body was restored. He sat up. Slowly he walked from the tomb still bound in grave clothes. A miracle. Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead!

Many reading this have problems. Some of them are massive. Let me ask you. Is your problem bigger than the one Lazarus faced? If Jesus can help Lazarus arise from death, He can certainly handle whatever problems you are facing. He is bigger and stronger than anything you face. Be encouraged. Believe Him. 

Jesus told Martha and Mary if they believed they would see the glory of God. If they trusted. If they had faith. I am not telling you Jesus will always do exactly what you want Him to do. I am saying that He is capable of doing more than you think He can. Eph 3:20 No matter what impossible situations you are up against believe Jesus. When he calls you to remove the stone do not hesitate. Even if it makes you look ridiculous. Even if people misunderstand you and judge you. Even if nobody believes with you go ahead and remove the stone. You never know what miracle might be on the other side.