Reverend J. Loren Russell
John 11:38-45 (NKJV)
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a 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. And I know that You always hear 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 graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
Sometimes it’s necessary to get over the stench to help someone. The story of Lazarus challenges the reader in many ways, particularly when it comes to obeying the command of Christ to remove the stone and then loose him by taking off his grave clothes.
The embalming methods used in those days did little to reduce the decomposition of the body. After four days of warm and humid Mediterranean weather, the stench and decay of a dead body would have been overwhelming. Martha’s response to Jesus, “Lord, by this time there is a stench” –is understandable. The smell of a dead body can be overpowering, and touching the dead defiled the Jew, making them ceremonially unclean and unable to enter the temple. Sometimes, our senses and our traditions can paralyze us and prevent us from participating in the transformational miracles of the Lord.
But this was no ordinary day, and these were transformational commands. Jesus invites those who were present to go beyond their human senses and Jewish traditions.
When we see people who need our help, we are often challenged-just like those at the grave site-to get over the stench. When Jesus commanded them to remove the stone, he was saying, “There is a man who needs your help. Get over the stench!” When He commands them to “Loose him, and let him go,” He was saying get over the stench of death and the fear of uncleanness. People need compassion and a human touch. If we are unwilling because of their smell, their appearance, their behavior, or concerned about the way we may look to society, the blessing the Lord has for them will be delayed. Let me be clear, it won’t be stopped- just delayed until the Lord finds someone who is willing to get over the stench.
Jesus miraculously called Lazarus from the grave, but it was left to the people to remove the stone and the grave clothes. If we can get over the stench, we too can participate in the miracle of helping others become like many of the Jews who had come to Mary and, having seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
Get over the stench!
Be Blessed!
Matters of Faith 
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