John 11:39,41-44

John 11:39, 41-44 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone ... Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. This is the powerful ending of the story of Lazarus. Jesus had explained to Mary and Martha that their brother would live again. They knew that he would live again at the end of time – at the resurrection - but Jesus was talking about right then! He was going to raise their brother from the dead right then! The sisters had wrapped Lazarus’ body with linen strips like a mummy. They had a separate cloth wrapping around his face. When Jesus called to him, Lazarus came out of the grave on his own. He might have hopped out all wrapped up or he might have floated out, but he came out! Everyone was so amazed that they just stood there with their mouths hanging open! They couldn’t move. They couldn’t believe their eyes! Jesus had to break the spell and tell them to take away those grave wrappings and let Lazarus go. He was truly alive! They just had to let him out! But even after such a miracle, some still didn’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Sadly to say, that is how it is today. Some will believe and some will not. We should pray that everyone will believe the good news of salvation.