Unwrapping the Graveclothes
It is a familiar story, the one in John 11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The miracle, the power, the glory, the depth of compassion all step out of the pages of scripture and minister to our hearts in a myriad of ways. It seems we can read the same verses at different seasons in our lives and find something fresh and new from the heart of the Father who knows our every need.
This past weekend I heard someone speak on this passage in a way that I had never considered before. He was speaking on recovery, and He was talking to Christians. Somehow we have gotten the idea that when we take that first step of faith and accept Jesus into our hearts as Savior everything from that moment on is going to be good.
It is true that we are made new, but we sometimes forget that it is not instantaneous. It is a process – a journey into wholeness that takes time. The speaker asked us to visualize that moment in time when Lazarus stepped out of the tomb. He was wrapped from head to toe in the the linens and spices that weighed about seventy-five pounds, his head covered in a cloth. As he stood there in front of the awe-struck crowd that had gathered, Jesus said, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Lazarus could not unbind himself. He needed the help of others. And so it is with us. We stand with the graveclothes that have wrapped themselves around our lives, and we need help to get free of them. Perhaps it is that sin that so easily besets us – a habit we struggle to overcome. We try over and over again and somehow find ourselves taking one step forward and two steps back. A certain sense of shame sets in and we berate ourselves for not being all we so desperately want to be. When we are with others, especially fellow believers, we put on a happy face. We pretend that all is fine and walk on, dragging the weight behind us.
The blessing of finding a place where we can admit that we are struggling is a priceless one. The church ought to be the one place we can honestly share our hearts and find encouragement and help. As believers we can give that gift of acceptance to one another. In the place of judgement we can give grace. In the place of criticism we can give compassion. We can confess our own weaknesses without shame and find strength in the sincere love of another struggling heart. We can grow together in wisdom and grace.
We can be like the little bear my Mom gave me during a time I was struggling mightily to hold on to faith. His name is Timmy. He gives unconditional love and all the hugs you need. I want to be just like him.
Blessings,
Linda
Linda, it is sadly true that so often people assume that once someone gives their heart to the Lord then everything will suddenly become good, they will no longer struggle in the same way, habits will leave, attitudes will be adjusted, and behaviour will improve instantly. It just isn’t like that. It is a progress. I like the image of Lazarus getting up, and needing help unwrapping himself. It speaks of time spent with others in a nurturing, caring, and proactive way. Not just being told to get up and get on with it on our own. We need to be prepared to be this help and support. We also need to allow others to support where it is needed in our lives.
Thank you for sharing this with us. 🙂
Jo
This is really profound, Linda. I am feeling the weight of those burial cloths today. So glad I stopped by your place and found your words here. You encourage me so.
So true, Linda. We do drag our weight with us. It is good to friends and other believers to hold us up when things are not good. We just need to be honest with the people around us.
Thank you for the sweet reminder.
Bless you for such a peaceful post.
oh linda, i love that your mom gave you this teddy bear. and i love the image of others helping to unwrap our sins from our body… bless you friend.
Grace, acceptance, compassion, and wisdom. That is you, Linda.
“In the place of judgement we can give grace. In the place of criticism we can give compassion. We can confess our own weaknesses without shame and find strength in the sincere love of another struggling heart. We can grow together in wisdom and grace.”
I love this part… It is what I always long for in a group of believers… it is what we hope to find…
This sharing one another’s burdens makes life light and joyous.
I was touched by the illustration. I love this about true believers. They come and want to help unwrap you from your bondage without judging. You are like your bear. You helped unwrap this writer and got me back on track to spilling out all that God is speaking to me personally just out there for all to read and to be encouraged by.
Your words are like butterflies. They flutter lightly around and amaze us with their fragile beauty. They lift me up.
Blessed message that uplifted me.