“And he (Lazarus) that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a cloth. Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” John 11:44
When the angel of the Lord came to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, soon after the birth of Christ, he said to them: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) Why was event such a subject of “great joy?” Perhaps, only God can answer that question, for only He understands the magnitude of the gift of Christ coming to earth to save us all. It is a remarkable picture, shepherds in the field, a newborn child in a manger, in a stable in Bethlehem, and an angel from heaven itself, unveiling to mankind God’s great subject for joy to be known by all who would believe. Perhaps when we consider that for the joy set before the Lord Jesus, He endured the cross, we begin to see something of the heart of God. Here the Eternal Father, reveals to mankind the birth of a child who will be the Savior of the world, the One who will save mankind from sin, selfishness, the world system and the devil, to give by mercy and grace, the blessed gifts of cleansing from sins, the gift of Christ’s righteousness, and the certainty of Life eternal in heaven, where there is no sin, nor any trace of its effects. The joy of the Father resided in the blessing that He would bestow upon men in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The joy of the Son was that certain hope of not only bringing many sons to glory, but of the fulness of joy that He once knew in heaven in the Father’s presence. How was this to be accomplished? How could sinful man, though believing, begin to know the joy of such a salvation? Perhaps it is in understanding what God did in Christ to redeem man, and to meet every need of his heart, so that with thanksgiving one rejoices more and more in the greatness and goodness of God.
When Lazarus came out of the tomb at the command of Christ, he had been resurrected from the dead. Christ would do this to demonstrate that He was the resurrection, the very power of it. He also revealed that it was by the word of God that the resurrection would take place. However, though Lazarus had conquered death, he still bore the graveclothes of the old life, the man who had died. The salvation of God, which He began to reveal to mankind that day in Bethlehem’s stall, was a most extraordinary one, which would apply to all who would believe. Scripture tells us that when Christ died, was crucified, the believer in the eyes of God was truly crucified with Him. He died with Christ and was buried with Him. The old life, or “old man,” as the Scriptures call that life, and every aspect of it, past, present, and future, no longer exists in the eyes of God. That which is of sinful flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, just as the believer died, and was buried, so he was raised by the power of God to newness of life. The graveclothes were left behind, and a new garb of perfect righteousness was given him. The believer also was then seated with and IN Christ, at the right hand of the Father, in heavenly places. It is a position that is far above all “principality, power, might, and dominion.” Though on earth, the believer is presently in the presence, power, and position of victory that is Christ’s in heaven. He is called upon to live life, by the resources of Christ, for the glory of God.
The believer is called upon “to put off the old man,” the graveclothes and filthy garments. Then, he is to put on the new man in Christ.
Father, Apply the work of Thy Son to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.