John 11:39 NKJV

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 spent 33 years on this earth, and yet His impact is eternal. One of the things I love about Jesus’ words is that they either speak the truth, offer correction, offer encouragement, or prophesy. He would often speak of something that, later, the disciples would be able to look back on and connect to fulfilling Old Testament scripture or future revelation. 

Imagine what the disciples thought about after experiencing this incredible resurrection of Lazarus. Only to later see the stone sealing Jesus’s tomb rolled away. 

I don’t believe this prophetic word from Jesus was the last time we would experience life brought from the dead. The stone represents a barrier separating life and death. 

There are dead things in our lives that need the stone rolled away. Whether something dead in your life is physical (is your body failing), relational (have your closest relationships withered away), emotional (are your dreams dying), or spiritual (has your walk with the Lord been negatively impacted), Jesus is giving us a command today: “Take away the stone.” Listen to Jesus and take it away. However, before we do…what is the significance of the stone? 

When you look up the Greek word for stone, it seems pretty normal. It means a stone, one stone, a stumbling stone, or a millstone. Each of those makes sense. Then a curveball was thrown; the definition goes on to say that it is a metaphor of Christ. Wait what? Of course, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone?” 

So then why do we want to Take away the stone? Because when He goes, it’s not to leave us but to become one with us. John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus is both commanding the dead things in our lives to come alive, while positioning Himself closer to us for our safety and direction. He knows the plans that He has given us (nobody else does, not even ourselves), and He also knows our future (He is already there at the end with us). So trust Him, hear Him, and follow Him. That is when we will see His restoration of those areas of our lives that are dying, dreams resurrected, relationships renewed, and burning hearts filled with His Word.