Come Out of That Grave

In the journey of faith, you are often called to go “all in” with Jesus. This means surrendering every part of your life to Him, trusting that He has a plan and purpose for you. The story of Lazarus in John 11 is a powerful reminder of this call to complete surrender and trust in Jesus.

Imagine being in the shoes of Mary and Martha, who sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick. They knew Jesus loved Lazarus and believed He could heal him. Yet, when Jesus heard the news, He stayed where He was for two more days. It might have seemed like He was late, but Jesus had a greater purpose. He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4, NIV).

In your life, there may be times when it feels like Jesus is late, when your prayers seem unanswered, and your faith is tested. But remember, His timing is perfect, and His plans are for His glory and your good. Jesus wants you to trust Him fully, even when you don’t understand His ways.

When Jesus finally arrived, Martha met Him with a mixture of faith and frustration. She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, NIV). Yet, she also expressed a glimmer of hope, saying, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:22, NIV). Jesus responded with a profound truth: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25, NIV).

his is the heart of going all in with Jesus—believing that He is the resurrection and the life. It means trusting Him with your present and your future, knowing that He holds the power over life and death. It’s about living by faith, not by sight, and allowing His life to flow through you to others.

Mary, on the other hand, approached Jesus with a heart full of dependence and desperation. She fell at His feet, expressing her grief and trust. Her posture was one of surrender, showing that she needed Jesus not just for what He could do, but for who He is.

To go all in with Jesus, you must find Him in every circumstance, believe His promises, depend on His strength, and demonstrate His love to others. It’s about hearing His voice and responding to His call, just as Lazarus did when Jesus called him out of the tomb.

Jesus is calling you to come out of the grave of your old life and into the fullness of life with Him. He wants you to take off the grave clothes of fear, doubt, and sin, and walk in the freedom and hope He offers. As you do, you will see the glory of God revealed in your life and become a living testimony of His grace and power.

Remember, Jesus paid it all, and all to Him you owe. Go all in with Him, and experience the abundant life He promises. “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NIV). Embrace this truth and let it transform your life.

For more, check out this TALK, or you can read the book by Dan Grider, Going All In.