Lazarus, Come Out
I’m currently considering things through the Hebrew letter Tav. Recently, I’ve been deeply engaged with the story of Lazarus. Read about it in John 11. You can hear Kim Parker teach on Tav on The Rock Podcast.
The ancient form of Tav looks like the cross, and it doesn’t stop there but becomes a door of Truth. Just as we come to the cross for salvation, we also mustn’t stop there but continue to the next step. We go beyond the cross and step into relationship, we step into Christ, and become a new creation.
“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:39-44
There is so much beauty in this part of Lazarus’ story. He died. Four days dead to be exact. His body would even begin to stink. Jesus’ instruction to Martha is a powerful one- “believe, and you will see the glory of God.” He called upon her faith. Jesus didn’t care how many days passed and was unbothered by any odor. Christ commanded the stone be rolled away, and the man that was dead to come forth. Jesus commanded death to release its grip. When Lazarus came out of the tomb, he didn’t look new yet. He looked terrible, but that wasn’t the end. Wrapped in linens, probably unable to see, hear, or move freely until Jesus commanded the next step. “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” That wasn’t the end either. Jesus knew there was a new man under those garments.
It’s the great and wonderous process that caused everyone there to see the glory of God. Death wasn’t the end and even resurrection wasn’t the end. He called Lazarus out of darkness into light, and he was completely transfomed. His appearance and his countenance were new. The way he saw things and heard things changed, and even the way he spoke. I believe his mindsets were new which made his walk brand new.
Wherever you are in the process, don’t quit. Lazarus’ testimony still speaks. What testimony will come from your process? Who will see and hear the glorious deeds of Yahweh in your life?