Parables thru Genesis-Revelations...

We were studying in John 11 today, about Lazarus's death.  And its amazing how you can read scripture, and look at a story like this one, and see a totally different message connected to it...one that speaks directly to our hearts today. 
 In John 11:23 Jesus states to Martha concerning her brother Lazarus, "Your brother will rise again."  
How did Jesus know?  And what does this little verse have to do with you?
Some people believe that we choose Jesus as our Savior, and that we come to Him.  But the more you dig into the scripture, I believe (well, who cares what I believe) I know that it is first Jesus Christ that calls us to Him.  Doesn't that make the picture of salvation that much sweeter? Were dead in our sins and then Jesus lifts us up and calls us?  See, Jesus knew that Lazarus would rise again, He knew it.  And it wasn't because Lazarus was going to come back to life on his own, Jesus would breathe life back into his soul. 
Later in the story, Jesus also says to Martha.  "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.   Do you believe this?"  
I know that Christ asks each of us this same question, "Do you believe?"  There's no lukewarm, or in-between.  Your either on His side, or not.  Your either with Him, or against Him.
Down in verses 38-44 is an amazing parable relating with salvation.  Read this first:

'Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb.  It was a cave, stone lay against it.
Jesus said, "Take away the stone."  Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."
Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."  
Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"  
And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus said to them,
"Loose him, and let him go." '  


Isn't that powerful?  There is so much here that I know I won't be able to understand it all, but hopefully you will get a great view on salvation through this true story.
Notice how verse 38 starts out with saying that Jesus was groaning within Himself.  You know what? That is just like Him to all those that are dead in their trespasses and sins.  We are all dead in our sins, Romans 3:28 tells us, and helpless against a HOLY God.  Holy is a big word.  It means perfect, never-sinning, but more than that, it means beautiful and WORTHY.  None of us are worthy of Heaven, but that's why John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world..."  God loves all of us.  Jesus has a love for you like none of us will fully understand.  If someone loves you enough, that they'd be willing to die a gruesome death, just so that you might live, and you didn't even deserve it, do you think that person loves you lot?  That's Jesus!  Not only did He die for you, but He died for you when you didn't deserve it.  He knew that you would be born and be an enemy of Him.  Now that sounds strong.  But its the truth, and look where we've gotten ourselves and our country because too many people fear telling the truth!  Jesus groaned on the cross for you, bearing your sins...He groaned for you because He saw you all wrapped up in grave-clothes, shut away and dead.  Cold, lifeless, hopeless.  He's the giver of hope!  He gives life!  He cried for you!  He loves you!
Now we go down a bit further.  Catch the part where he tells Martha if she would only believe, that she would see His glory?
I know that Jesus Christ the Son of God says that to all of us.  "Didn't you know that if you only believed...?" 
Jesus is calling..."Do you...believe?"  It's the only thing that will matter when you die and are standing before God.  I believe He will ask you something like this, "Did you believe in Jesus?"  Believe... 
Now comes my favorite part!  This part almost gives me chills just thinking about it!  Jesus cries, (loudly, the Bible adds)  "Lazarus!  Come forth!" 
And what happens? Lazarus comes forth!  He's alive!  The pit of death, confusion, despair, no hope, devastation is overcome!  The victory is won!  That can be you!  Jesus Christ died so that you don't have to live in despair and confusion, always wondering what your greater purpose is in life.  But most of all, He died so that you would not perish, John 3:16 tells us, but that you may have eternal life with God in Heaven!!  Jesus can lift the hard, cold stone of your heart, and turn it into a heart of flesh...He can give you life.
But only will He do this...if you will repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And finally, the last, and yet most victorious part that sums up the Gospel message...
"Loose him, and let him go!"
No longer is Lazarus bound in the grave-clothes (the death of sins) but he's sent away free!  He's not only alive, he's FREE!
Have you ever galloped on a horse  against a huge gush of wind beating in your face, and you fly across the pastures, inhaling and exhaling the deepest breaths?  That's small to comparison in how it feels when Jesus has loosened your bounds.  When He's untied those filthy, oily rags of sin...and placed in you a new heart and future. 
All of this is possible...you can have life...a purpose...you can be free from sins...you can life in Heaven with God...if only you....
BELIEVE.