Many times the enemy puts new and attractive ideas out that challenge our ability to remain steadfast in our faith. For instance, using people to ask questions typically designed to trap you into some kind of answer that they then use against you. As a result, you are influenced into some type of shame or guilt compelling you to waiver. As long as your beliefs are in alignment with God’s word, stay in faith. There are also times when we don’t even need to know his tricks. We just need to remain steadfast anyway. This is why I chose the following verses to dissect for a bit. Once we focus on them, we find a lot of wisdom in this situation.
John 11:39-40
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Starting with the first two words “Jesus said.” It is the positive against the negative. It is the hope when the hope is used all up. It is the answer, it is the alpha and the omega, and it is the author and the finisher of faith.
Like in Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'
Like it says in Matthew 8:13
Jesus said …Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
Like in John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Sometimes when things in our lives don’t seem to be as rosy as they should, even when things seem as though they are dead we should look for the “Jesus Said.”
After looking at what thus said the Lord, the next part is the “Take away the stone.” The stone represents the blockage to the doorway of the tomb. Jesus instructed them to take away things that are blocking the place where the dead is buried. Use your inner strength, and move the obstacle(s). Can Jesus work the miracle with the obstacle in the way, of course he can after all Jesus can do all things, but if he does you would not know what you can do. Jesus can tell you, you can see but you are the one who has to open your eyes and look. Jesus can tell you that you have the power to walk, but you are the one who has to put one foot in front of the other. Jesus can tell you to take away the stone, but you are the one who has to exercise faith and obedience.
Following after that is the part of Martha’s observation that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days and by now the situation stinks. This is actually a good observation, it is the reality, and it points out the obvious. It is what we all do; we give reasons not to move forward with the instructions. But what if everyone in the Bible did that:
-What if Moses said, I don’t want to cross the river because I can’t swim?
-What if Elisha said, I’d rather plow my parent’s field?
-What if David said, I don’t want to fight the giant because I’m too small?
-What if Daniel said, I don’t want to go into the lions den because I’m scared?
-What if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, I don’t want to go into the fiery furnace because it is too hot?
-What if Joshua said, I’m tired of marching in circles?
-What if Joseph said, I don’t really want to get married?
-What if Jesus said, Martha you are right it does stink?
Sometimes the situations stink in our lives:
-It stinks when we loose our jobs and can’t seem to get ahead
-It stinks when we loose faith and courage
-It stinks when things are working the way they should
And we cover it up with these stones thinking that other people can’t smell the stink. However, doing this means we won’t be able to receive a breakthrough. Maybe Jesus wants us to uncover the stink. It may smell for a little while, but keep your focus on Jesus.
The next part, Jesus only repeated what he said. He wanted us to know, that “If you would only believe, you will see the glory of God?” If you stay obedient and stay in his word and push through all that rotten, stinking stuff, you will find out that that’s where your greatest miracle is, where the power is, and where the anointing that breaks the yokes is. That’s where your Lazarus is, and Jesus is saying that the Lazarus needs to come forth out of debt and depression, to come forth and live. But you got him blocked in while God wants to send resurrection power in your life.
And then there are those people who are bitter and angry over their Lazarus dying, they are still upset and holding onto their Lazarus in the tomb. But you need to push through all that, you need to run on home and see what the end is going to be. Stop holding your Lazarus in the tomb, roll the stone away and allow your Lazarus to come forth into life, into greatness, and into life changing encounters so that you may show forth the glory of your almighty God.
If you keep your Lazarus in the tomb, you will find that even if Jesus works a miracle in your life, no one will ever notice it because you kept it covered. You don’t want people to know what you are going through because you don’t want anyone to smell the stink. But if you keep the cover over it, it will all die in the tomb where it will stay buried and you will never be able to see some of God’s greatest miracles in your life.
Sometimes you have gotta just believe. You gotta dig down deep into the trenches of your soul and remove the stone. Remove the obstacles and believe. Jesus knows that we have good excuses, but believe anyway:
-Don’t be afraid to cross the river.
-Don’t be afraid to leave the plow in the field.
-Don’t be afraid to fight the giant even if you have to on your knees.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the lions den.
-Don’t be afraid to go into the fiery furnace even if it is seven times hotter.
-Don’t be afraid to march around in circles.
-Don’t be afraid to get married…to the one God ordained for you.
-Don’t be afraid of the stink.
When all else fails, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Stand in faith until the Lord prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. Believe until your cup runneth over and surely goodness and mercy follows you all the days of your life…Believe in God anyway.
