COME OUT!

The story of Lazarus in John 11 teaches us that God often works in ways we do not understand. When Mary and Martha reported that Lazarus was sick, Jesus deliberately delayed His arrival for two days. This delay was not because Jesus did not love them, but because He was preparing something much greater. Mary and Martha only hoped for healing, but Jesus wanted to manifest the glory of God through the resurrection of Lazarus. From this, we learn that God's delay is not a denial, but part of His perfect plan so that our faith may grow and we may know His power more deeply. There are three main lessons (3R) from the resurrection of Lazarus. 1. REMOVE (Remove the Stone). Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He commanded the people to lift the stone covering the tomb. Even though Jesus could move it Himself. This shows that God wants humans to take steps of obedience before He performs a miracle. The stone symbolizes everything that hinders God's work in our lives, such as unbelief, fear, disappointment, sin, bitterness, pride, and delayed obedience. Our task is to remove that "stone," while God will do His part through His power. 2. RESPOND (Respond to God's Call). After the stone was removed, Jesus called Lazarus personally: “Lazarus, come out!” God's call is always personal because He knows each of His children. Even though Lazarus was still bound by burial cloths, he still responded and came out of the grave. Likewise, every believer is called to obey God's voice without waiting for perfect conditions. God is not looking for perfect people, but people who are willing to be obedient and step out in faith. Every call from God indeed demands sacrifice, but it is through that obedience that God equips and perfects our lives. 3. RELEASE (Release the Burial Cloths). After Lazarus came back to life, Jesus commanded the people to release his burial cloths. This illustrates that believers who have received a new life must also release all the "burial cloths" of the past, such as guilt, trauma, bitterness, fear, sin, and old habits. God also uses the church and community to help one another in the restoration process. The church is not a place for perfect people, but a place for people who are being restored by the grace of God. Come out of the "grave" of the old life through three simple steps: remove the stumbling block (Remove), respond to God's call with faith (Respond), and release all the bonds of the past (Release). God calls everyone to live in freedom, experience the power of Christ's resurrection, and walk in His calling so that their life becomes a testimony to the glory of God.