As you may have already guessed, these are the words spoken by our Lord to the people who have just witnessed the resurrection from the dead of Lazarus. Poor Lazarus, now alive, very alive and still wrapped up in grave clothes, somewhat like a mummy. What an awkward position. Free but trapped. Clean, but stinky. Alive, but still looking dead. How many of us have been freed from our sin and are still entangled in our bondage? I am sure Lazarus wanted a bath, some regular clothes and to get out of that tomb. He needed some help though. So Jesus instructed his friends and family to help him. More awkwardness. Like “Eww!” and “Wow!” at the same time. I am sure the range of emotions and reactions was huge. But again, friends, how about a little help for those who have recently been set free. Kind of like getting out of prison and being told, “Here is $50 bucks, now stay out of trouble.” We need family and friends during transition times. We need help with the messy stuff. Otherwise, we still look dead or trapped or unchanged. Part of the problem is it is as difficult to accept help as it is to find it. Hence why so many are trapped in the cycle of marginal circumstances, such as “lovelessness”, “addiction”, mental illness and disenfranchisement. Transition is messy and complicated. Lazarus could have had a little post traumatic stress you know. Somewhere between ignoring people and enabling them there has got to be a way to mainstream people for their lives to change or be restored. Or, we could keep throwing unaccountable money at the problem or medicate or incarcerate everyone who needs a hand up more than a hand out. It is complicated. But Lazarus received his miracle, his family was there, he accepted help and got on with his life. I think there is more than one lesson here. With some teamwork we could probably free more people up and let them go.
In His Service,Pastor Fred
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