Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. 

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. 

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” 

(John 11:38-44 NIV) 

What a powerful statement! ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’ 

If you are a follower of Jesus, this statement applies to you too. You have been risen from death to life with Christ and you too have been released to go and live life in all of its fullness (see John: 10:10). 

We all once walked in darkness, blinded to the truth of the Gospel. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glorious standard of God (see Romans 3:23). Not one of us is exempt from making mistakes – be they seemingly harmless, like telling a white lie, or life-changing, like having an affair. We all have fallen from the heights of God’s standard and are deserving of punishment. 

But He doesn’t punish us. Not when we accept His new life instead.  

This new life, however, must be received.  

Like a gift at Christmas, salvation is freely given yet cost Jesus everything. It cost Him His life. He freely laid it down so that we can pick up our cross and follow Him daily. 

The raising of Lazarus points to Jesus’ power over death. Not even the grave can stop the Lord from creating life where He desires. Jesus’s promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him resounds today, but it must be received. 

As we celebrate Christmas, we remember that Jesus was born to give us life, both now and forever.  

In this season, reflect on the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers through His death and resurrection. Thank God for the hope of eternal life and pray for opportunities to share this hope with others during the Christmas season. 

There simply is no greater gift than the gift of salvation. Remember this, amongst gift-giving and decoration-buying. There is something greater, something of eternal value that we hold in our hands and can offer to those who so desperately need it. 

Merry Christmas.   

If you have enjoyed this devotional, you can find more from CBN UK here: www.cbn.uk/devo .