“And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.””
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭44‬

At the end of John 11, Lazarus is a beautiful picture of one raised from the dead and set free from the grave clothes. He is one who is fully enjoying the resurrecting power of Christ—the very power Paul longed to know in Philippians 3:10, and the same power he prayed the believers in Ephesus would experience in their lives (Ephesians 1:18–19). Lazarus illustrates resurrection power at work in a lost sinner who comes to Christ.

Notice these seven steps of progression:

• We were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1–3).

• We have been raised from that death (John 5:24; Ephesians 2:5).

• We have been set free from the grave clothes (Colossians 3:1) and given liberty (John 8:36).

• We have been seated with Christ (John 12:2; Ephesians 2:6).

• We now enjoy fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1–3).

• We are to be a testimony to others, as Lazarus was (John 12:9–11).

• We will face opposition, just as they opposed Lazarus (John 12:10).

Lazarus was enjoying what Christ had accomplished for him—he was living in the good of it. Lazarus could never fully appreciate his new life while bound by those grave clothes. Jesus knowing this commands that he be set free from these restrictions. The question for us is: are we living in the good of the resurrection power of Christ? Are we living as though still dead, or like Lazarus for that brief moment—raised, but still wrapped in grave clothes that restrict our walk, work, and worship? Or have we taken measures to remove the grave clothes and enjoy the life and liberty we have been brought into through Christ?

Anchor For Today:
If you have been raised with Christ, are you enjoying the newness of life which is yours in Christ with your mind set on heavenly things? Have you put off the grave clothes and put on Christ?