Martha sought help from Jesus to heal her brother Lazarus. However, Jesus went after Lazarus had died three days earlier and placed in the tomb and sealed it with a tombstone. Jesus, on his arrival, asked Martha in John 11: 39 take away the stone. Jesus can only access us when we listen to his word; and take away the stone that is blocking his access to our lives. Jesus does not force anyone contrary to his will. Mary, the mother of Jesus said to the people at the wedding feast at Cana in John 2: 1 do whatever he tells you.
The stone on our lives
Each of us, like Lazarus, is dead in Spirit and we have a stone to hide our filth and stench like carcass. Only Jesus can revive us as he did for Lazarus. He demands we take away the stone for his access to us and upon that will call us to come out of our condition or state. Jesus works on obedience to his command. John 9: 31 says… he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Luke 8: 25 says who then is this, that he 1John 3: 24 says all who obey his commandment abide in him, and he abides in them.
The stone is the seal of sin on our lives which must be broken to allow Jesus to take charge. Isaiah 59: 1-2 write, See, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Rather, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. The stone will be removed only if we are willing to give Jesus an unfettered access to renew us. He will touch us with the newness of life.
Jesus is not bothered about what we have to hide; how late it is; how dastardly; how nauseating or how poignant the smell may appear. He will make us anew. Martha sought for Jesus knowing she could not bear the burden alone. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28 come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Martha did as Jesus said. Jesus says take away the stone; and come out away from the dead. Have faith in Jesus and his word of life.
Lazarus was not well and needed help. Jesus said in Matthew 9: 12 those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. They rightly discerned that Jesus was the true solution. Jesus said in John 18: 37 everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. If we obey what he has commanded, he will take charge in two respects;
In our personal lives
Jesus is always ready to receive our burdens with open arms. He said in John 6: 37 anyone who comes to me I will never drive away. The Lord is overly capable of helping us to roll away the stone over our lives. Psalms 55: 22 says cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. No time is too late.
In the lives of others
We fail to confess to those we have wronged, hence our households, families, jobs, etc. have sometimes sadly fallen victims of the consequences of our iniquities. Let us get rid of the stone in our lives and obey Jesus’ command.
James 5: 16 says therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. God has given us the right and capacity to invite him as Martha did. What do the words of Jesus mean to us?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, the stone on our lives has hidden our true state of life. It has impeded your immediate access to breathe afresh on us with the true Spirit. Please strengthen us to remove the stone; grant you access to our hearts; and obey your voice as you call us out from among the dead to once again live in you. May it not be too late to revive us to your glory. Hear us in your holy name, Amen!!
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