-John 11:44b

Grave clothes…death.

The end.

Sadness and hopelessness.

Grave clothes represent the end of life as we know it.  As Lazarus laid tightly wound in his grave clothes that told his loved ones it was over, those around him were filled with grief.  All believed that life as they knew it was over.

But then,

Jesus came.

The power of Christ’s word held the same power that created this world, that created us uniquely.  His words held the same power that declared victory on the cross, “It is finished!”.  His spoken word changed everything.

“Lazarus, come out!”

“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

His spoken word changed everything.  It brought life back to a dead man and freedom to be the person he was meant to be.

Are you still wearing grave clothes?  Tightly wound up?  Dead?  Inhibited?  Let the Lord’s words speak to you as well.  Take off your grave clothes and become alive in God’s spirit and not live encumbered by the trappings and death of this world.