All Wrapped Up

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John 11:44 – And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.


The resurrection of Lazarus was a defining moment in our Lord’s ministry. Like Lazarus, we were raised from the curse of sin by the cure of Jesus! Before we were saved we “were dead in trespasses and sins” but now are “risen with Christ.”

But Lazarus had a realization: Even though he was raised he was still in bondage because of those grave clothes. He was ALL WRAPPED UP! Practically speaking he was not much better off than if he had stayed in the grave. He couldn’t do anything, even if he wanted to. He didn’t stink anymore, but those grave clothes did. They prevented him from seeing, and following Christ.

The releasing of Lazarus was entirely dependent on others. It’s amazing how believers who were saved “by grace…through faith” try to unwrap themselves by works! No matter how hard you try you cannot remove the grave clothes from the old man! Those grave clothes were strips of cloth that were wrapped around each appendage. There are Christians who have been saved for years that still have some stinking grave clothes hanging on them, and other believers just look at them and never help loose them.

The responsibility of Lazarus after he was resurrected is seen in John 12 where we read of people coming to Bethany just to see him. How would he look if he still had smelly grave clothes hanging off him? The Lord resurrects but then expects us to remove grave clothes off of each other. Believers are so wrapped up today, they can’t serve the Lord. They need to be loosed from the bondage of the old man. Do you know a wrapped up Lazarus? Go “Loose him, and let him go.”