November 19 — "Unbound to Walk in Freedom"

Today's Reading: John 11:30-57

Picture it: the air still thick with the scent of death, the crowd frozen in disbelief as Jesus shouts, “Lazarus, come out!” And then—out of the tomb’s shadow—shuffles a man who was supposed to be long gone. Lazarus. Wrapped head to toe in grave clothes, blinking into the blinding light of day, he hears the unmistakable voice of Jesus speaking life into a place ruled by death. It’s one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Scripture—and one of the most intimate. Because this isn’t just Lazarus’ story. It’s ours.

Here’s the big idea: when Jesus calls you out of death into life, He doesn’t just resurrect you—He releases you. Salvation is instant, but sanctification? That’s a journey. The moment you respond to the Gospel, your spirit is made alive. But let’s be honest—your hands, feet, and face might still be tangled in old habits, fears, and thought patterns. You’re breathing—but still bound. That’s why Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “Unbind him, and let him go.” His desire isn’t just that you live—it’s that you live free.

The Greek word for “unbind” (luo) means to loosen, release, or dissolve what confines. Jesus didn’t just snap the chains of death—He ordered every last shred of restriction to be removed. That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit is still doing in believers today. Paul nailed it in Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” God wants us unwrapped from every spiritual hindrance that keeps us from running the race He’s marked out for us.

I once counseled a man who had come to Christ but still wore the “grave clothes” of bitterness. Though forgiven, he wasn’t free. Only when he chose to forgive others—just as Christ forgave him—did the stench of the tomb finally fade. Resurrection life isn’t meant to be hidden under the bandages of the past—it’s meant to shine with glory.

When Jesus calls your name, He doesn’t stop at resurrection. He keeps unwrapping you—day by day, year by year—through the power of His Spirit, until not a single thread of the old life remains. Often, He does this gently, through the Word of God, the work of His Spirit, and the love of others who help you walk in freedom. Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in the binding clothes of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Today, may the Lord unwrap every lingering remnant of your old life. May His Spirit dissolve every chain of fear, shame, sin, and self. And may you walk—fully alive, fully free—into the radiant light of His new creation power.