Walking and Resting in New Life-Monday Messages From The Heart

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As we enter into the New Year this week, "new" is the theme. By definition new means “not existing before.” When we give our life to Christ, we become new, because without Christ, we in our newness, did not exist before. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, we are neither holy nor righteous. Through Jesus he places his righteousness upon us. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:22). 

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11), Jesus was painting a beautiful picture of his own death on the cross followed by his burial and resurrection. There is something deeper within this miracle that Jesus performed to bring Lazarus back to life. When Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, he did not run to him. He actually waited two days prior to leaving to head to where Lazarus and his sisters were. 

Once Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already died. Martha came to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.” She then declared that “I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” She had a level of faith even through her grief. Jesus tells her, “Thy brother shall rise again.” Martha believed this, but she didn’t fully understand just yet that Jesus was going to bring him back to literal physical life. Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Martha goes on to proclaim Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. She had faith strong enough to believe, even through a devastating moment in life. 

Mary then comes to meet Jesus and falls at his feet. She tells Jesus that if he would have been there then her brother would not have died. Jesus was so moved by their grief, and possibly his own, that Jesus wept. Jesus asked where Lazarus was laid and he went. He had been in the cave with a stone rolled over it for 4 days, yet Jesus tells them to move the stone. 

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 who stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” Jesus was about to perform the greatest miracle and show us the Power of God. The hope was that people would believe in him. Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” Lazarus came forth out of the cave. He was bound in grave clothing, and Jesus told them to “loosen him, and let him go.”

This powerful miracle is a beautiful representation of what it is like to be raised from spiritual death to spiritual life in Jesus. As mentioned earlier, Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Jesus was speaking of spiritual life. Although we will all physically die one day, we as believers will live forever in eternity with Jesus. When we give our life over in surrender to the finished work of the cross, Jesus brings us into a new life in him and the old life and old person is dead. It’s buried! The new person comes to life! Only Jesus can do this for anyone. Only Jesus can bring life to dead things and give us the promise to live forever with him. 

When Jesus brought Lazarus back to physical life, he was showing that life is in Him and He has the power to give life to anyone who truly believes. When Jesus said to loosen Lazarus, it’s symbolic to the sins and chains that he loosens us from and the punishment which we deserved. They loosened him and he was free. Jesus sets us free and loosens us from everything that has kept us in the darkness. Today, believe upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the finished work for your salvation. Rest in that and walk in the newness of life that Jesus has given you through the giving of his. 

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

• If you have given your life to Christ, is there anything that is still old that you are hanging onto that you need to let go of? Jesus already loosened it, but sometimes we hang onto it. 
• It could be ....
  • unforgiveness 
  • hurt, pain 
  • envy, jealously  
  • behaviors or actions that doesn't represent Christ
  • pride or self-center ambitions / glory
  • lust
  • greed
  • past sins that you have not forgave yourself for 
  • shame or guilt 
  • Etc......

Jesus already broke these off of you and more. Lay them down and don't pick them back up. As you walk with him and you truly feel conviction, admit it, seek forgiveness (which is for you and already gave), and seek help from the Holy Spirit to make the changes. It's a process, but walking in the newness of life is a beautiful journey full of grace. 

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for this new life in Christ. Thank you for sending your only son into this world to fulfill the promises so I can have a relationship and spend eternity with you. Jesus, thank you for giving your life for me and as I enter into this new year, I want to fully live mine for you. Show me the path and continue to renew me with your spirit. Forgive me for when I take for granted the life you have gave me, although it's not always easy, it's a beautiful life with a beautiful promise of everlasting life with you forever. 

In Jesus' name, 

Amen