Let Him Go

John 11:38-44, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
Jesus preformed many miracles during His earthly ministry. Maybe the greatest was when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Mary and Martha were broken hearted not only for the loss of their brother but they felt Jesus had let them down. Four days after the funeral Jesus came to visit the family and to help the Jews see who He was. The sisters met Jesus crying, “If you had been here our brother would not have died.” Even when He told them He had come to raise Lazarus they did not believe Him. Asking where the grave was Jesus went and saw the tomb with the stone that sealed it. He also saw all those who mourned for the lost loved one. Seeing the pain on their faces and in their hearts He too wept but not just because Lazarus had died. He also wept for their lack of faith and trust in God. When He asked for the stone to be removed He again was met with resistance. He had the power to remove the stone with a word but He wanted all to see that there are things that people must do to be able to receive a miracle. Once the stone was removed Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth.” Everyone fell silent waiting to see if this Nazarene could really do the impossible. Slowly Lazarus emerged from the grave wrapped tightly in his grave clothes, standing in the opening very much alive. What Jesus said next is very interesting. Now that Lazarus was given a new life before he could begin to enjoy it something had to be done. Everyone was standing amazed and in awe missed one very important thing---Lazarus could not move or free himself. He needed his friends to release him. Jesus spoke again, “Loose him let him go.”
Jesus is still saying that today. When we are wrapped in sin and asking for forgiveness—loose him and let him go. When tradition and prejudice are binding us to the glory of God ---loose him and let him go. When we get tangled up in the cares and problems of this world that are keeping us from the fellowship with our Heavenly Father---loose him and let him go. Anything that is keeping us from walking in the light and love of God, Jesus is saying, “Loose him and let him go.”
All gathered at the tomb trusted God to give Lazarus a new life. Lazarus had to trust his friends to untie him to allow him to experience his new life. What do we have in our lives that are hindering us from the blessings and riches of God’s grace? Jesus is once again saying, “Loose him and let him go.”