But I don't want to...

Question for you to ponder...

How do you think Lazarus felt when he began to hear the words from Jesus "Lazarus, come out!"

Do you think he really wanted to leave where he was and come back to the world filled with sin, doubt, fear, and unknowns?  He knew all about heaven and now he was hearing the voice of Jesus call to him.  The voice that He so treasured while here on earth.  The voice he listened teach about the place he was now witnessing for himself, the voice he believed, the voice he always counted the moments until he heard it again, but now?

Don't you think Lazarus was like Jesus come on...You have been teaching me all about this wonderful place and now you are calling me back after four days.  Do you think he paused or jumped right back to life and got up and walked out of that tomb?  How long do you think Jesus and the crowd waited?

I don't know, but in my way of thinking and knowing the love felt between Lazarus and Jesus it was quickly.  Even leaving heaven Lazarus knew Jesus had good reason to call him back.  He knew Jesus was teaching somebody something and he was going to be a part of the teaching.  He was still obedient leaving heaven and obeying Jesus to return to the world where perhaps he wouldn't even live for very long because he would definitely be a target now.  The pharisees would be searching for a way to rid the world of him right along with Jesus, but yet Lazarus got up and walked out of that tomb.  Stinking to high heaven (the place he just left) to walk out of a tomb with people holding their noses from the smell, but also their attitudes causing a nose problem!

Are we obedient when Jesus calls us to a path that is uncertain?  Do we allow our own desires behind us knowing that Jesus indeed as a reason for the request He is making of us?  Do we allow the stinking attitudes to stop us or do we burst from our tombs with the dirty rags and stinky smells knowing that Jesus will work it all out?

Leave behind your tomb and walk right out smelly and all and allow Jesus to clean you up and show you the path He desires you to walk!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie