Unbind Him!

There is a remarkable story in the Christian scriptures about an empty tomb. No, not that one. Not the Easter tomb. We might call this the Lazarus tomb, because that’s where the man was buried by his sisters, Mary and Martha. Probably hewn out of a large stone, sealed with another stone rolled over the opening, the tomb was the final stopping place for people of importance.

Informed of the death of Lazarus, Jesus went to the tomb and was greeted by the sisters: So, where have you been! Why weren’t you here when he was sick and now you arrive after he’s been dead for almost a week. Where were you when we needed you? Jesus consoles them, explains that it’s not too late, that he will take care of the situation. And then he orders the stone sealing the tomb be pushed back. “Lazarus, come out!” Again the sisters express themselves: Come out! He’s been dead for days and you know what the smell of decay is like.

To their dismay, an understatement, the still-wrapped body of Lazarus comes stumbling out of the tomb. One final thing needs to be done. Those death-wrappings need to come off so Lazarus can live freely again. Now, here’s something that can slip by in the story, something seemingly insignificant. Jesus said: Unbind him and set him free. He didn’t say: stumble over here, Lazarus, and I will unbind you and you will be free. He didn’t say that. Jesus looked at those witnessing this unbelievable event and said: Unbind him and set him free. You do it! You and you and you. Touch the death cloths, remove the shroud, release him, set him free. You do it.

I’m just wondering who I will meet today, a person still wrapped in the grave clothes of anger or fear or despair. And I’m wondering if I will have the compassion or the courage to “unbind” him or her, to set them free. That will happen only if I see the other’s pain, be conscious of it, and act with the power of God’s spirit.

I’m wondering that about you, too.