Rolling Stones

Jesus's friend, Lazarus, was deathly ill back in Judea, and when he found out about it, He stayed put for a couple of days. That was the setup. He needed Lazarus to die and be buried before He got there, which His friends didn't understand...yet. Furthermore, the last time He was in Judea, they tried to stone Him, so going back was surely a suicide mission. He went anyway, just a few days later.

As He finally approached the village, Lazarus' sister Martha came out to confront Jesus. "If only you had been here, my brother would not have died!" she claimed. They went back and forth in a theological discussion and landed in a really good place. Then Mary, the other sister, also came out and confronted Jesus with the same "If only you had been here" line. This time, instead of debating with her or trying to talk her down, he simply wept with her. Same confrontation, different people, different response. Exactly what each needed.

Now deeply troubled and angry, he moved on to the act that nobody would forget.  

"Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 'Roll the stone aside,' Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, 'Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.' Jesus responded, 'Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?'" (John 11:38-40)

Lazarus walked out of the grave and into the history books, capping some incredible lessons.  

• Don't let other people's emotions cause you to react too quickly. Consider the big picture, create a plan, and respond when you are ready.
• Fear of others is paralyzing. Do what you know to be right, even though there may be the danger of people's judgment or worse. Courage is action in the face of fear.
• Serving others without exception means meeting people where they are. People are different; treat them differently.  
• It's okay to be angry. It's what you do with the anger that matters. Anger that leads to helping others is righteous.
• We all have doubts. Faith is believing when it's really hard.
• You aren't done until Jesus says you are. Step out of the grave and live where Jesus calls you to live. He can pull you out of whatever mess you are in. You may have a little stink on you, but there's work to be done.

Tear off your grave clothes and step out of the cave. 

You are called to be a part of an epic event unfolding right before your very eyes. Let's roll away some stones and make history.