“Lazarus, the man who had been dead, came out of the cave. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a burial cloth covered his face. Then Jesus instructed the crowd standing there, ‘Unbind him and let him go.’”
John 11:44
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This passage concludes the Gospel Writer called John’s story about the raising of Lazarus. To fully appreciate how it applies to our lives, read it from a mystical, metaphysical perspective, rather than a literal one.
- In the passage, Jesus represents our Christ consciousness (our anointed, most spiritually mature self), while Lazarus represents our awakened potential.The crowd around them represents perspective: how others see us and, most important, how we see ourselves.
- Jesus’s instruction to unbind Lazarus is similar to his teaching about storing new wine in old wineskins (Mark 2:22; Matthew 9:17; Luke 5:37). Just as old wineskins cannot contain new wine, neither can we live anew if we still view ourselves from an old perspective.
- Furthermore, leaving the cave isn’t sufficient. We must be willing to discard — surrender — our old life.
- Faith is trusting God and knowing that the Spirit of Life is active in every aspect of our being. When we have faith in ourselves, we view ourselves from the Christ perspective. We realize that the past and other people’s opinions cannot hold us back. So, with discernment, we follow our own God guidance.
- As Former Editors of Daily Word Mary-Alice and Richard Jafolla teach in The Lazarus Blueprint: Ancient Secrets for Healing and Inner Peace: “Yes, you can be ‘resurrected.’ Yet, if you are wrapped in the same thoughts and mind-set as before, you are the same person as before. You are not fully alive (p. 127). . . . Letting go of the old role is the only way you can free up space for the new role to take over. . . . That part of your life that was in darkness is being healed — is perhaps already healed. Unbind it at last — and let it go” (p. 140).
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What shrouds (beliefs, ideas, opinions, and/or perspectives) are binding me to an old life?
- Without analysis or judgment, like a brain dump, list, word map, or illustrate whatever they are.
- Which people in my life continually see me as I once used to be?
- Note who the people are.
- Then, list, word map, or illustrate what you want to do to transform those relationships, even if it means they change or end.
- How do I continue to view myself through others’ eyes, rather than through the eyes of God?
- List, word map, or illustrate what others’ views are.
- Then, list, word map, or illustrate what you see when you behold yourself through the eyes of God.
- What are at least three (3) things I can do unbind myself from my old life?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.
- Who are the people I trust to encourage me to thrive in my new life?
- Note who the people are.
- List, word map, or illustrate what you’ll do to stay connected with them.
As you use this devotional, remember: The crowd’s beliefs don’t matter. But your beliefs about yourself and your life mean everything! So, discard what no longer serves your well-being. Know that you have the faith, power, and strength to unbind yourself from the past. Affirm: “I am God’s Beloved. As I leave the past behind, I am free to embrace new life. I trust in my magnificent future, and I am truly grateful. And so it is!”
© 2022 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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