John 11:1-44; 12:1-2

1.            Experience Life in Jesus

            Spiritually, Lazarus represents those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ personally as Savior.  They are as spiritually dead as Lazarus was physically dead.  In sin, we are dead and in need of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.  As we place our faith in Jesus, we are transformed from death to life.  In Jesus, we experience eternal life, and we will never die.  Life and faith must be understood in the closest of connections: “whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (11:26).

2.            Exercise Freedom through             Jesus

            Notice that when Lazarus came out of the grave, he was still tied up hand and foot in his grave clothes.  He had life, but he did not have freedom.  Lazarus at this stage of the miracle was like so many people today—saved, but not living in victory.  They have life, but they do not have freedom.  Jesus did not simply come to give life.  He came to give abundant life.  He doesn’t want us wearing the grave clothes of our old ways.

3.         Enjoy the Presence of Jesus

            Lazarus, who was given new life by Jesus and was set free by Jesus, enjoyed fellowship with Jesus.  Lazarus went from the tomb to the table.  He was face to face with Jesus, enjoying a meal with him.  The life that Jesus gives is a life of joy.  Enjoy the presence of Jesus by spending time with him in prayer and in his Word on a daily basis.  Jesus seeks fellowship with his people.  The One, who can raise the dead, came to save us from our sins, so that we might have abundant life.