What role does obedience play in witnessing God's power, as seen in John 11:44? The scene in Bethany • Lazarus had been dead four days (John 11:17). • Jesus first asked for the stone to be removed (John 11:39). • After His prayer, Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). • Verse 44 records the climax: “The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen and his face wrapped in a cloth. ‘Unwrap him and let him go,’ Jesus told them.” Commands surrounding the miracle 1. Remove the stone (John 11:39). 2. Come out (John 11:43). 3. Unwrap him (John 11:44). Every step required someone to act on Jesus’ word before the next evidence of power appeared. Obedience as the conduit of power • Faith responds with action. Martha’s crew had to roll the stone despite the stench (James 2:17). • Lazarus, though alive, could not enjoy freedom until others obeyed, unwrapping him (Galatians 5:1). • Jesus did what only God can—raise the dead—yet He invited human cooperation for what they could do (2 Kings 3:16-20). • The sequence illustrates Psalm 119:32: “I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.” Obedience enlarges capacity to witness greater works. Echoes throughout Scripture • John 2:7-9: servants filled jars with water before it became wine. • Luke 17:14: ten lepers were cleansed “as they went.” • Joshua 3:13-17: priests stepped into the Jordan first, then the waters parted. • Acts 5:19-20: apostles left the jail only after following the angel’s instruction, leading to further proclamation. In each case, divine power met human obedience at the point of action. Why obedience matters for us today • Positions us to see God’s glory (John 11:40). • Releases others from bondage—our obedience may unwrap someone else. • Demonstrates love for Christ (John 14:21). • Transforms spectators into participants in God’s story. Living it out • Act promptly on the clear commands of Scripture. • Trust that no directive from Jesus is pointless, even when it challenges logic. • Anticipate that obedience often precedes understanding; clarity follows compliance (Psalm 111:10). • Encourage fellow believers: your small act may be the final “unwrap him” that sets a life free. Obedience does not earn God’s power; it simply opens the door for us to witness, experience, and share it. |
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