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Mar 2008: One Word: "Come!"
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Me: “Ummmmm….(unsuccessfully struggling to get free)……..yeah, I think so.
Girls: Who taped you to the tree?
Me: The other guys on the team.
Girls: Why?
Me: Because I’m a Freshman Ever been duct taped to a tree in the woods behind your high school? Maybe from your toes to your nose as a skinny, wide-eyed frosh? Perhaps you had glasses at the time, - and those glasses were taken from you and also duct taped to a tree (still the funniest part of that whole experience). Maybe the Juniors and Seniors on the team used words like “tradition” and “legacy.” Maybe you struggled to get free and maybe it was useless. Maybe ten year old girls coming home from elementary school had to help you out and unwrap you – maybe they got a good chuckle out of it– maybe that was funny to them- maybe. And I was such a type A personality that I literally just stood there waiting for help; Race Day was looming and I did not want to spend anymore energy than was necessary. Besides, I had tried to break free on my own power and could not– I was going to need help – I was in need of being rescued. Similarly, a story in the eleventh chapter of John’s Gospel reveals a powerful story concerning a man named Lazarus. Lazarus fell deathly ill and his two sisters Mary and Martha sent message to Jesus (whom all three previously met and believed in) for help. Mary and Martha truly believed that Jesus could save their brother from dying. But by the time Jesus received the message and came to Bethany Lazarus had already died. In fact, Lazarus had been dead for four days and placed inside a tomb guarded by a large stone rolled across the entrance. Four days is a long time. Mary and Martha greeted Jesus in tears, saying “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” And the disciples were puzzled, as Jesus had remarked before even leaving for Bethany, “Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” But Jesus was here now, and could believe that something powerful was going to happen. Jesus stood before the entrance of the tomb and commanded the stone be rolled away. Martha protested, saying “Lord, he has been dead for four days, the smell will be terrible.” Side Note: King James Version has “by this time he stinketh” (stinketh, that’s semi-funny). Jesus commented, “didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” John then details, “the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes. Jesus told them “Unwrap him and let him go.”” In a circumstance most would dare not embrace, Jesus stared death in the face, boldly plundered the grave, and brought a man back to life! This is such a great example for us in our daily lives because we as people tend to be very judgmental. I’ve been so more times in my life than were necessary (times ten). All too easily we look at a situation, or even worse, a person, and think: “Utterly hopeless, there is no fix, nothing in the world can bring that back to life.” And we are wrong…..amazingly wrong. The Word states it perfect by saying “the smell will be terrible.” Because it will. When we bring to light the things we’ve been hiding, it will be hard to face – it will indeed “smell.” Look at Mary and Martha; they believed that Jesus would save their brother – they placed their joy and hope in this and then had to bury that joyful belief and mourn its loss for days. Does that describe you as well? And unfortunately, we often become comfortable with this and allow what was buried to stay buried – we accept it. But like Jesus, we cannot listen to the crowd; we must block out the phrases “that’s just the way it is” and “I’m always going to feel like this.” Not true. If we believe, as Jesus calls us to, we will see there is another answer. Our Lord is one who will always stand before our hurt, our pain, our failures and sin – no matter how dark, no matter how bad the smell is – and wait for us with one single word….”Come.” We are loved by a God of restoration – He gives us a second chance, a third chance, fourth chance, fifth chance and beyond. He calls us by name, extends his hand, and says one word: “Come” He will remove the barriers in our circumstance and beckon us out of darkness and into light….calling by name and saying “Come ______...........you can Come to me and be restored. You can Come to me and find rest.” Simply put – our God is Mighty to Save. He grieves when we grieve, knows our hurt and knows our pain. He stands before us, speaking to God on our behalf – He knows us by name and calls to us…and not just for a minute or when it’s convenient– but always – His hand is always extended. He is calling us to come to Him and share our burdens…that we may learn to truly live. From John 10:10: Jesus states - “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give a rich and satisfying life.”
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