John 11:17–27, 38–44

The Set-Up

Jesus shows up late to Bethany, where Lazarus has died - and Martha is pissed and grieving. While she tries to find peace in knowing she’ll see her brother again someday, Jesus reminds her, “I am the resurrection and the life”. 

And with that, he commands Lazarus to “come out!”

And Lazarus does - still bound in the markings of death. 

And instead of removing those Himself, Jesus orders the community to do the work.

Jesus wakes us up - and then we have to do the dirty work in community to set all free from death.

The Takeaways

Resurrection is Now. 

The power of new life is present right here.

Embrace the Stench. 

We have to face the ugly parts to get to the miracle.

Come Out. 

The call is to step out of the dark, even still wrapped in our trauma.

The Community’s Job. 

Liberation is a group project.

Unbind Each Other. 

Our job as the church is to help the living strip off the things that bind them.

The Good News

"Four days late" means nothing to God. Your situation can be absolutely dead, stinking, and written off by everyone else, but Jesus still walks up to the cave.

The Good News is that you don’t have to untie yourself. When you stumble out into the light, blind and bound by those things bringing you down, Christ has placed a community around you commanded to help you get free. You are not done. You are just beginning anew.