John 11:1-45   NT p. 99 or 1319

[1] Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

[2] Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill.

[3] So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill."

[4] But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

[5] Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,

[6] after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

[14] Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.

[15] For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

[17] When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

[34] He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."

[35] Jesus began to weep.

[36] So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

[37] But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

[38] Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

[39] Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days."

[40] Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

[41] So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me.

[42] I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me."

[43] When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

[44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

[45] Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

[NRSV]

INTRODUCTION:

The Lone Ranger and Tonto walked into a saloon in one of those old western towns. They ordered their drinks. After a few minutes, a big tall cowboy walked in and said, "Who owns the big white horse outside?"

The Lone Ranger stood up, hitched his gun belt, and said, "I do . . . Why?"

The cowboy looked at the Lone Ranger and said, "I just thought you'd like to know that your horse is about dead outside!"

The Lone Ranger and Tonto rushed outside and sure enough Silver was ready to die from heat exhaustion. The Lone Ranger got the horse some water and pretty soon Silver was starting to feel a little better. Then the Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and said, "Tonto, I want you to run around Silver and see if you can create enough of a breeze to cool him off and make him feel better."

Tonto said, "Sure thing, Kemosabe" and took off running circles around Silver. Not able to do anything else but wait, the Lone Ranger returned to the saloon to finish his drink.

A few minutes later, another cowboy struts into the saloon and asks, "Who owns that big white horse outside?" The Lone Ranger stands again, and syas, "I do, what's wrong with him this time?"

The cowboy looks him in the eye and says: "Nothing! But you left your Injun runnin'." (1)

Isn't that a horrible joke? But maybe Tonto was just unwinding. There are some people who come unwound when they hear stories like that. Either because they don't like puns or they don't think humor has any place in the pulpit. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think some folks are wound a little too tight for their own good and they need to unwind a bit.

Most of the time we think of the phrase "coming unwound" as a slow spiral descent as life comes apart at the seams. Sort of like the character John Cleese played in the British comedy, Fawlty Towers. Cleese played Basil Fawlty, who week after week would degenerate from sane to insane within a single half hour. Each episode, this character worked himself into an absolute frenzy as we watched him become more and more frazzled by the events he set in motion. He truly came unwound.

I. THE STORY:

A. This morning we have the story of another man who "came unwound" but in a completely different way. The story I'm talking about of course is the story of Lazarus, one of the friends of Jesus.

In this passage we find out that this whole family was special to Jesus. And that he loved them very much. And because of that love, Jesus chose to use the death of Lazarus as the final sign of who He really was. As Lazarus lay on his death bed, his sisters Mary and Martha sent for Jesus. But Jesus purposely delayed coming for four days. Lazarus died.

The mourners gathered. The body was wrapped in the traditional burial clothes, placed and sealed in the tomb. Four days later, Jesus and the apostles show up. And as a sign of the power of God, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

First Jesus mourned, He wept for His friend. You see, He didn't take death lightly either. But then He told them to remove the stone sealing the tomb. Reluctantly they did and Jesus uttered three words. With a voice loud enough to wake the dead, Jesus cried out: "Lazarus, come out." And he did.

In obedience to His friend and Savior, Lazarus stepped forth from the tomb, still wrapped in the burial clothes. Jesus said, "Unbind him and let him go." So they unwound the burial clothes and set him free.

B. Before calling Lazarus from the dead, Jesus prayed for all to hear. Asking God to hear Him and use this moment as an opportunity to prove that God had truly sent Him. This was to be the "piece de resistance" of all the signs. This was the sign that should have caused all of Israel to believe.

Where the other two resurrections (the widow's son and Jairus' daughter) could be clinically explained away as resuscitation, there was no doubt that this was a true raising of the dead. Folks had witnessed Lazarus' death. They had helped bury him. They were comforting the family in their grief. They saw Lazarus lurch forth from the tomb in halting, stuttering steps, still bound in the burial clothes.

There was no doubt. For some it was enough. Their lives would never be the same. They would never be the same. At the moment they saw Lazarus at the door of the tomb, they knew who Jesus was.

But for the most learned, for the ones who should have recognized who Jesus was from the very first, it only hardened their hearts even more. Instead of rejoicing, the began their final plot. Like the community of the man born blind, rather than accept the reality of the situation, they decided to banish it. Out of sight out of mind. They came unwound, joined forces and plotted to kill Jesus.

II. COMING UNWOUND:

A. But just like everything Jesus did, He even turns this phrase "Coming Unwound" upside down. Through this simple act of love for a friend, Jesus takes a phrase and completely reverses it's meaning. No longer does "Coming Unwound" mean things like: Having a nervous break down. Or Falling apart at the seams. Or losing it. Or skipping a groove. Or going off the deep end.

Now the phrase "Coming Unwound" means being set free. Jesus could have said: "Unwind him and let him go." And you see, that's why Jesus came. That's why He gave His life on the cross.

He didn't come to bind us with a whole new set of laws. He came to breathe new life into old bones. He came to call us forth from whatever it is that has us entombed. Jesus came so that we could be "Unwound and set free."

And it doesn't make any difference what binds you, what holds you bound and entombed. It doesn't make any difference whatsoever to Jesus. He simply wants to set you free. Jesus calls us all to "Come Unwound." And the Good News is that when we put our lives in His hands; when we put our trust in Him, He will call us from the tombs of our lives and raise us into His service. Just like he did for Lazarus.

B. And when that happens, everything is different because Jesus is in the middle of it. And that makes all the difference in the world and in our lives.

Years ago I remember reading a story about a man who was a reprobate and drunk. He had a family that loved him very much but still he continued to drink and party and live only for himself. Then on one rare nights that he was home, his wife insisted that he attend a worship service with her. Reluctantly he agreed. And during the service God moved in his heart. He gave his life to Christ and became different man.

Some of his old buddies and work mates found out about his conversion and tried their best to lead him astray. One day at lunch, one the men in the group challenged the new Christian by saying, "Look, you're a sensible guy. You can't tell me you believe all the miracles that the Bible talks about. You don't really believe that Jesus turned water into wine, do you?"

This man gave very profound witness when he answered. "Well, I don't know if Jesus turned water into wine or not. But I can tell you one thing. He turned beer into furniture, food and clothing at my house."

Those things were changed because that man was changed. He heard the voice of Christ call his name. Jesus set him free. He stepped out of the tomb of his past life of drinking and carousing and "Came Unwound."

C. Baby Boomers and maybe even the parents of Baby Boomers will probably remember the name of the rock star Alice Cooper. If you think Alice Cooper is a "she" then you're giving away your real age.

Alice Cooper was the first "shock rock" rock star. He used to parade on stage with makeup and live snakes and simulate his own decapitation. I never saw him. I never wanted to. But just like you, I've heard that his concerts were pretty raunchy and distasteful.

A few years ago his career received a pretty good a boost when he appeared in the movie "Wayne's World." There's a scene that everyone seems to remember. The main characters, Wayne and Garth, have a chance meeting with Mr. Cooper. As soon as they see him, they fall on their knees in worship, saying, "We're not worthy, we're not worthy."

Alice Cooper's long and successful career is the epitome of everything that critics hate about rock-n-roll. He has glorified rebellion, immorality, idolatry, and excess like practically no other rock artist. That's why so many people were surprised when it was announced that Alice Cooper had become a Christian. He gave his life to Christ in 1995, and is now involved in a Bible church in Phoenix, Arizona. He even sings in the choir and volunteers to help at church dinners.

Alice Cooper is keeping a low profile. He's concentrating on his faith and growth in Christ. And seeking what his next step should be as a disciple of Jesus. (2)

Through the love and grace and forgiveness of Christ, Alice Cooper "Came Unwound."

D. The audience in the courtroom held their breath as the verdict was read. This was a case like none of them had ever seen before. The defendant was a young man named Ron. He had grown up in violent street gangs. Many years ago, Ron had tried to kill a rival gang member.

After the crime, he and his girlfriend had escaped to Canada. But in Canada, Ron and his girlfriend came in contact with a number of Christians. Their godly example broke through to Ron's heart. He and his girlfriend repented of their past and gave their lives to Christ.

They married and started a family. Ron became an upstanding member of his community and his church. But Ron and his wife knew they could never live free as long as they ran from their past. It was time to go home. Can you imagine the fear Ron and his family felt as they returned to the United States to face judgment?

Ron turned himself in to the police. At his trial, he fully admitted his guilt and apologized for his past actions. He even said he was ready to pay whatever price needed to be paid to make amends. The judge was so impressed by Ron's attitude and actions that he set him free with only probation. Ron later remarked, "What that judge did was show me grace, sort of like Jesus did." (3)

Ron and his girl friend had both been running like the prodigal son. They were bound in the tomb of their past until Christ came into their lives. Through the love and grace and forgiveness of Christ, they "Came Unwound." Not only were they set free into new life by Christ, but because of the change in their lives, they were set free from their past actions. They "Came Unwound."

CONCLUSION:

There is great power in our faith. Jesus wants us to "Come Unwound." This same Jesus who called his friend Lazarus from the grave promises to be our friend as well. And no matter what happens, Jesus will never forget us or forsake us.

For fifteen years, Zoe Koplowitz had let multiple sclerosis rule her life. The disease results in weakened muscles, blurred vision, loss of balance, slurring of speech. Depending on how far it progresses, MS can leave a person paralyzed, blind, and unable to speak. For those fifteen years after she was diagnosed, Zoe didn't push herself much physically. She was afraid of the advance of the disease.

But then one day she got angry. She decided to fight this illness that had so controlled her life. So Zoe Koplowitz made up her mind to participate in the New York City Marathon, a 26.2 mile event that attracts some of the best runners in the world. Friends joked that Zoe, a full-figured, dark-haired woman who walks with two canes, might easily be mistaken for Grete Waitz, the thin, blond, Norwegian runner who had won eight of the New York City Marathons. Someone even gave Zoe a shawl with the words, "I'm not Grete" embroidered into it.

That year, 1988, Grete Waitz won her ninth New York City Marathon, with a time of 2 hours and 25 minutes. Zoe came struggling in that evening after almost 20 hours of walking. For the next five years, Zoe participated in the marathon.

In 1993, Grete and Zoe met at a dinner in Grete's honor. The famed marathon runner was in awe of the woman who pushed herself to compete in spite of her disabilities. In trying to understand Zoe's motivation, Grete asked, "Who is waiting for you at the finish line?" As a world-renowned runner, Grete was usually greeted by flocks of news reporters and crowds of cheering fans. Zoe replied that no one was waiting for her; by the time she finished the race, everyone else had gone home. That day, Grete Waitz promised that she would be at the finish line next year when Zoe competed in the marathon.

A number of health problems hit Zoe that year, and it took her 28 hours to finish the race. But Grete was waiting right there for her to cross the line. Sadly, someone had stolen a case of finishers' medals, and Grete learned that Zoe would not get a medal for her efforts. So Grete ran across town to her apartment and asked her husband to give up his own medal that he had just won that day in the marathon. She returned in time to cheer Zoe across the finish line and drape the medal around her neck.

Every year since, Grete Waitz has waited at the finish line for Zoe Koplowitz. The two women also speak at various city schools, where they teach children a valuable lesson about the winning spirit. (4)

The reason I told that story is because of the question which Grete asked Zoe. It's a pertinent question for all of us. It's a pertinent question for everyone. "Who is waiting for you at the finish line?"

Scripture tells us that like Lazarus, we have a friend waiting for us. A friend who can roll aside the stone that keeps us entombed. A friend who can loosen the bonds of whatever it is that keeps us separated from God. A friend who can set us free. A friend who wants to give you new life.

A friend who calls you by name and wants you to experience the grace and love and forgiveness a relationship with Him offers. A friend who wants you to "Come Unwound."

That friend, of course, is Jesus. He wants to breathe new life into your old bones. He wants to set you free. Why don't you pull a Lazarus this morning.

Why don't you "Come Unwound."

1. Source unknown

2. Adapted from a story told by Steve May in his ONE MINUTE MESSAGE.

3. Lee Strobel, GOD'S OUTRAGEOUS CLAIMS (Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997),pp. 63-66.

4. "I Will Be There For You" by Zoe Koplowitz with Mike Celizic from "The Winning Spirit," READER'S DIGEST, August 1998, pp.129-133.

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The Interpreter's Bible, (Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1953)

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