There can be no resurrection without death. Some things are better left buried. Do you have things that have died that need a resurrection miracle? Perhaps your Lazarus is love that has died in your marriage, a dream dashed into thousands of pieces, your zest for living, or, perhaps, your relationship with God. Jesus is the “Resurrection and the life”. He can raise your Lazarus!

After Lazarus had died, Jesus went to his home at Bethany. You need to specify the place you’re your hurt, where your Lazarus has died. Do you desire your Lazarus to be raised? Consider the steps that Jesus took.

First – Jesus told them to remove the stone that sealed the tomb. Martha replied, “Lord, by not the smell will be terrible, because he has been dead four days” (John 11:39). Some things have the smell of death – pride, unbelief, a bad attitude. There can be no resurrection until YOU remove the stone that holds you in the tomb. It could be the stone of sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9, 10). Confess and leave your sin.

Second – Believe God! “Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40) God’s way is to believe and then you shall see. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. Friend, when you put your faith in God, you can accomplish more in one hour with Him than a lifetime without Him. “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Third – Praise and thank God before the answer comes. Jesus prayed to the Father for our benefit. “ ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. The He shouted, ‘Lazarus, Come out!’” (John 11:41-43) Thank God and declare it done.

Rachel and her husband owned a commercial building. Renting half of it paid their mortgage. Their renter moved out and they could not find another renter. To ease her worries, Rachel started swimming laps at the pool. One day she decided to pray and praise God using the alphabet to keep track of the number of laps. She focused on adjectives to praise God for starting with the letter “A”. “You are the almighty God,” she prayed on the first lap. “You are a benevolent God”, she prayed on the second lap. “You are a caring and can do God.” By the time she completed 26 laps, an hour had passed and her fears were gone. She knew God would provide and He did – miraculously. God’s goodness stretches from A to Z. Praise Him and your faith will rise. Thank Him in advance.

Fourth – be a worshipper. Jesus waited until Lazarus’ sister met Him halfway. Mary was a worshipper. She was the one who poured costly ointment on the head feet of Jesus and then wiped His feet with her hair (John 12:1-9). Job was raised from the ash heap because he was a worshipper (Job 1:20). Worship brings us into the presence and glory of God. God waits for a true worshipper to give Him the glory due to His holy name (John 4:23, 14).

Fifth – publicly acknowledge and declare your miracle. The raising of Lazarus was done in the open. The cross was a public thing. Jesus died publicly in pain and shame for our sins. Don’t be ashamed to confess Christ publicly as Savior and Lord (Mark 8:38, Romans 10:9). Water baptism, which speaks of ones death and resurrection to a new life in Christ, is public.

Sixth – you must “come out” of the tomb. Lazarus was raised from the dead, but he had to come out at the Lord’s command. Come out and get it! Leave the tomb of the dead, your old nature and sin (II Corinthians 5:17, Deuteronomy 30:15).

Seventh – “Loose him and let him go” (John 11:46). Lazarus was alive, but still wrapped in grave clothes. Lazarus needed help to get out of the grave wrappings. You need to surround yourself with people who are willing to loose you when you are raised and come out. Your friends are like the buttons on an elevator – they will wither take you up or down. That is one of the reasons that Jesus established the church. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn others, especially not that the day of His coming back again is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25 TLT).

Jesus can raise your Lazarus!