John 11 - 9.23.22
Scripture
John 11:44
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.”
Observation – What does it say?
This scene must have been incredible to witness. Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died, and following their burial customs they wrapped his body in strips of linen and wrapped a cloth around his head. They placed him in a tomb and rolled a stone across the entrance. After 4 days in there, Jesus had them roll away the stone, then he prayed and called out, “Lazarus, come out!” And like a scene out of a movie, Lazarus comes to life and walks out of the tomb like a mummy, strips of linen dangling and his face wrapped in cloth. Jesus told the people nearby to take off his grave clothes and let him go.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Grave clothes aren’t for the living.
I couldn’t help but be reminded as I read this passage of some others:
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Galatians 3:27
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Clothing is an analogy used throughout the New Testament to refer to our character and actions. Those who have believed in Jesus and been born again are commanded to take off the old clothes, which represent our sinful desires and actions, and to “put on the new self” which represents righteous desires and living.
What I find interesting in this passage is that Jesus told the people around Lazarus to take off his grave clothes. It’s in the context of community that we learn to walk in freedom. While we have a personal responsibility to put off our old clothes and put on the new, we also have a responsibility to one another to change our clothes; to help each other leave our sin and live for God.
Life Application
Prayerfully consider today:
Are there grave clothes (sinful desires/actions) I’m still wearing that I need to put off?
Do I need to ask my church community to help me in any of those areas with resourcing, encouragement, accountability, etc.? If so, who will I ask?
Are there people in my church community who are still wearing grave clothes that you’re asking me to IN LOVE, help get free? If so, God, please show me what that looks like.
God, may we be a people who don’t walk around in grave clothes, claiming to be alive. Give us a passion to turn from sin and live for you. And may we help each other walk in freedom and love and righteousness. Amen.
-Levi Thompson