Thursday, March 26, 2009

Captain's meditation on John 11:38-44

Take a minute to read this passage of scripture...

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, 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."

Some thoughts I pondered again as I read this fantastic scripture were these...

1. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but before granting this miracle of a resurrected life, He had others remove the stone.

2. After raising Lazarus from the dead He had others help Lazarus to remove the grave clothes.

3. If Jesus gives you new life (or involves you in the privilege of bringing someone to Christ) remember to take of your old dead grave clothes.

Being resurrected to new life if a blessing indeed, but don't settle for being bound by "dead stuff". Live holy and take off the old garments, sins, and dead habits that will stink up and restrict your new resurrected life!

Dearest salvationists (and follower of Jesus) let's press on to FULL-salvation, not just salvation from hell to heaven the day we die, but from hellish living to an abundant, holy, heavenly living NOW!

Jesus saves from sin and sinning. Let's through off every sin that entangles and start living a life fully devoted to God and completely abandoned to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Why not take of your grave clothes today and then remind someone today that Jesus saves to the uttermost.

Live holy, preach Jesus!

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