The "Lazarus" experience...
Written by Yvonne Bush
John 11;1-45
40: "Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on ME, you would see
the glory of God?"
44: "And out walked the man (Lazarus) who had been dead, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen
strips), and with a (burial) napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, FREE HIM of the burial wrappings and
let him go."
Please read the complete scriptures above 1-45 when you can. This is the account of "Lazarus" and him coming back
to life!
During my quiet time, the Lord directed me to this passage. I knew this account of Lazarus, and was curious what
exactly the Lord was wanting me to share with you and with myself. After reading it very carefully, he gave me clarity
on a few things that I would like to share.
In this passage, you will read about Mary,her sister Martha and their brother Lazarus. This family was in relationship
with Jesus. They were close. Martha and Mary went to Jesus and told him, Jesus, the one whom you love, Lazarus, is
sick. Jesus replied and told them in verse 4; This sickness is NOT to end in death; but (on the contrary) it is to honor
God and to promote His glory, that the Son of God may be glorified through and by it. Jesus, Mary, Martha and
Lazarus were dear friends. However, even after the sisters brought him the news of the illness, Jesus still stayed two
days longer in the same place where he was. Why would he delay? As you read on in verse 14; Jesus told his
disciples plainly, Lazarus is dead.....15 And for your sake I am glad that I was not there; it will help you to believe (to
trust and rely on Me). However, let us go to him.
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been dead 4 days! Both Mary and Martha, told Jesus if you
would of been here, my brother would not of died! Mary dropped at his feet sobbing and it moved Jesus in his spirit
and Mary said IF you had been here he would not of died! They had forgotten what Jesus promised them in verse 4,
that this sickness would not end in death.
In verse 39 Jesus asked them to roll the stone away from the tomb, and Martha said Jesus, his body is already
decaying, he throws off an offending odor, he has been dead for 4 days!
Jesus replied In verse 40 (See Above) Jesus, reminded her, didn't I tell you, didn't I Promise you, that if you would
believe, rely, trust in ME, that you would see the Glory of God?
I was still curious as to why the Lord brought me to this passage and he told me to look up the Hebrew and Greek
translations of the name "Lazarus". Interestingly enough, this is what Lazarus means in that passage; Greek
translation; "One whom God helps" and in the Hebrew translation; " To be in despair, without hope, desperate, to
give up" also, to grow tired; to faint, to exhaust oneself." Have you ever felt like you are a Lazarus, or have a dead
situation?
Now it is clear to me why I was drawn to that passage. The Lords wants all of us to know, that although we are going
THROUGH a dead situation. Dead finances, Dead marriage, Dead career, Dead relationships, Dead Life of our own!,
Jesus has already promised that if you rely, trust and believe in him, that the Glory of God will bring life to that dead
situation.
You may be thinking, Well Yvonne, I have been praying for my spouse, and they are still walking around in their bad
habits, no emotion, no happiness, no love or perhaps your own life seems dead. No matter what the situation you feel
like there is no life and you can identify with the name (Lazarus), you feel faint, your in despair, you want to give up,
you are desperate for a move from God!
Please do not give up. I know it can be difficult, but we have to walk in faith, and remind ourselves daily that he carries
the load for us, and when we worry we are NOT trusting and believing in him. God can turn any situation around!
Jesus wasn't worried about getting there on time for Lazarus. In fact he knew Lazarus was already dead, and knew
God would raise him. It only took a word for Jesus to speak directly to Lazarus (despair, no hope, desperation) and
Lazarus's life was restored and forever changed! Praise God! Trust in him today, he's always on time.
Yvonne
yvonne@neverthirstagain.org