Take Away the Stone!
We have arrived at the turning point of The Story of Lazarus. Dead in sin, Jesus approaches us with grace to offer His resurrection power. But interestingly, His first words are not to Lazarus. They are to the people standing around the tomb.
"Take away the stone," Jesus says. (John 11:39)
A Command to the Church
Uncle Bud notes that this is a picture of Jesus giving a command to the church. Martha and the others standing there represent, in Uncle Bud's mind, the people of God - and Jesus is asking them to do something before the miracle can happen.
Scripture says that people are saved when they hear the Good News preached. So we need to be telling the world that there is a Saviour ready to bring dead sinners to life! Are we doing that? Or do we sometimes put a stone in the way of the saving work of Jesus?
Martha said to Jesus that there would be a bad odour if He took the stone away. She was essentially saying "it's too late, Lord. It's too far gone. Don't even bother opening that tomb." Shame on us for looking at a dead situation - a prodigal child, a hardened heart, a cold church - and saying the same thing Martha said!
Instead, we should be the ones rolling away the stones. Doing all we can to remove the obstacles.
The Obstacle of Repentance
Although sometimes the person in the grave holds onto that stone, and keeps it in place. Yes, they may be dead in their sin, but that sinful nature is alive and well, and by it they may find themselves refusing to get the obstacles out of the way.
Remember, repentance and faith are the conditions of salvation. If you aren't willing to repent of the things that get in between you and Jesus, and turn from them; and if you aren't willing to put your faith in the Saviour who stands at the tomb calling you, then He's not going to force you.
Uncle Bud's words on page 71 sum it up. He says: "Remove all of the difficulties; get ready, look up, and expect a revival; throw every doubt away, pull up unbelief by the roots and throw it over the fence."
Strong words! The stone needs to come away.
God's Glory Seen
Standing at that tomb, Jesus said to Martha: "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
So she obeyed. The stone was removed. The miracle happened.
I pray that today, the obstacles between you and Jesus will be rolled away, so that His work can be done in your life.
And friends, let us the people of God do all we can to roll away whatever stones are in the way of people and Jesus, so that they may hear His call and come forth to salvation!
Before Lazarus is raised, the stone had to be rolled away! Is there something blocking your healing today?