FROM GRAVE TO GLORY (JN 11)

FROM GRAVE TO GLORY ! (John. 11)

This Lazarus’ resurrection encounter is only captured by Apostle John. It’s a great demonstration of Jesus’ supremacy over all things and a testimony that as far as God is concern nothing is too late.
The first fascinating thing in this passage is the identity of the man who was sick and who eventually died. Lazarus of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Mary and for that matter the “one Jesus love”. The question I ask myself is How come Jesus friend fell sick? I think in life situation today we ask similar questions when we discover people we think are committed to God going through sufferings and afflictions. You may be wondering also about the reason why you are going through what you are going through. This account from John settles the issue, in the Bible, the one Jesus Love was also sick to the point of death. This story directly speaks to the recent wrong theology being propounded by some extreme “faith preachers” who create the impression that once you are a child of God you are immune from problems. There are some who propound the sweet ‘divine health’ doctrine. To them there is a faith dimension you get into where you do not need divine healing any longer because at this level you can even not fall sick again. All these
‘faith propositions’ are not in tandem with the whole truth of biblical teaching. There is no where the Bible teaches that you can never fall sick, the only promise is that even when we are sick, there is the healing balm in Christ. Lazarus was Jesus well known friend, but he was sick and died of the sickness.
Another unusual thing is Jesus response to the emergency message sent to him about the sickness of Lazarus. When he was told, he stayed two more days where he was. One would have expected that he will get up and go to Bethany immediately he was told his friend is sick. There are certain things you urgently consulted God about but it seem God is delaying. Every seemingly delay situation in your life may be for a purpose, for every purpose of God is married with the timing of God so that all things may be beautiful in its time. We live at a time when waiting and patience are now becoming outdated. There are several ‘fast food’ prayer canteen everywhere where God is given ultimatum to respond to people’s request. There is nothing wrong in being prayerful, but prayer is never a means to force God to do what you want. Powerful prayer is built on strong relationship with God. A powerfully prayerful Christian is someone who is completely submissive to the will of God. God makes everything beautiful in His own time. There are times we pray for something and expect quick response from God, but God’s timing may not tally with our own. We must learn to trust God even when what we are expecting is not forthcoming on time, for even when it tarries it will come at the time when it will be most beautiful.
Another important issue in this passage is the conflict of definitions. Jesus told the disciples “our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep but I am going there to wake him up” (Vs 11). What a strange description of the situation! Lazarus was already dead for about 4 days and the master said he was only asleep. Do you know that sometimes the way you define your situation is different from how God sees it? God’s definition of your situation is beyond the locus of human reasoning, and you must believe the report of the Lord. When you have concluded and resigned to fate God may see the case only as a specimen for miracle. You need not give up yet, for even in the grave there can still be hope.
Lazarus died and he was abandoned to the grave by those who loved him.
It is interesting that as loving as Martha was she did not want Jesus to go near the dead Lazarus. Lazarus has now become a past tense. Do you know that there are situations where people you cherish now can’t offer you any help? There are situations where your wife, husband parents , friends and relatives become completely insignificant. The interesting thing is that this same people may be the reason why you are not serious with God. It’s only Jesus who can go with you anywhere anytime and in any situation. When Jesus got there he was told, don’t go near the grave for he is now smelling bad! Do you know that with all your beauty, riches and connections, one day people will say the same thing to you? About Lazarus’ situation everyone concluded that it was too late and it was all over. They deserted him and abandoned him to a closed grave. Where you are abandoned and deserted the Lord will relocate you and bring you up to fame and glory again.
Whenever Jesus set into any situation he brings about radical changes that will glorify God. Jesus went to the entrance of the grave and the only perfect high priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities cried because of Lazarus despite the fact that he knew Lazarus will live again. Expression of emotion is not a sign of no or little faith. Denial of realities by suppression of emotion is neither a demonstration of a strong faith. Faith does not deny natural realities, it only sees beyond it. Jesus ordered that the stone at the entrance be rolled away. Every ‘stone’ hindering your breakthrough must give way at the site and commands of Jesus. He cried out to Lazarus to come forth. From every prison of limitation you will come forth! When the death that killed Lazarus heard the voice of Jesus, it gave up Lazarus instantly. Every evil power holding you down will give you up to allow you march into your blessings and fulfillment. The man who was dead 4 days got up! I declare that right now you will get up! Jesus ordered that he be loosed and let go! The scripture describes him as been bound hands and legs with his face covered with napkin. These three areas described are physically and spiritually very significant. Legs represent mobility, hand ability, and eyes visibility. Even if one is living but has problem in these three major areas is just like one is dead. Anything hindering you from moving into your place of blessing will be cleared from your life. Whatsoever is affecting your ability to become whom God wants you to become will be taken away from your life. There are many people with sight but with no vision. May be you also need a word for the restoration of your vision. The evil napkin tied on your face is removed that you may have a new vision that will turn your situation around for the best. The Lord will visit you right away and you will be loosed and let go. I SAY THE SAME THING TO YOU NOW THAT YOU BE LOOSED AND GO INTO YOUR FULFILMENTS IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
NAVIGATING PRAYERS
1) Lord, draw me close to yourself and cause your banner to be upon me.
2) I cry to you in distress, let my prayer never fall on the ground.
3) Turn my negative situation into specimen for divine miracle.
4) Lord make me understand your purpose and timing for my life
5) I decree by anointing, any of my burial ground to become my lifting spot in Jesus name.
6) Any stone rolled against me, my progress and destiny be broken into irreparable pieces in Jesus name.
7) Every obstruction and destruction my way should give way.
8) Speak resurrection words to my situation in Jesus name.
9) I command my hands released from the shackles of darkness.
10) I decree evil scale to fall off my eyes in Jesus name.
11) I command my legs to move into my divine allotment in Jesus name.
12) I move from grave to glory in Jesus name.