Why God Works Through Men: Lessons from the Story of Lazarus

There are a few people I have met who claim to be very spiritual. When they talk and act, they make you feel like they have reached a level where they no longer need any man. Honestly, I just laugh.

When you read through the Bible, you will quickly discover that no work of God on earth was completed without the involvement of man.

Whenever God wants to do something significant on earth, He partners with man to make it happen. This is why we must understand the importance of submitting to the right people God places in our lives.

Let me show you what I mean using the story of Lazarus.

The Bible tells us that Lazarus had been dead for four days, and Jesus came and raised him back to life. But when you read that story carefully, you will notice something very interesting—Lazarus’ hands and feet were bound.

I always wonder how Lazarus was able to stand up when his hands and feet were tied.

If you don’t fully understand what I mean, try this simple exercise: ask someone to bind your hands and feet, then try to stand up. You will immediately realize how difficult, if not impossible, it is.

Yet, Lazarus stood up.

That tells you something powerful—the resurrection power lifted him. The power of God brought him back from the dead and even enabled him to stand.

I believe this is one of the most remarkable parts of Lazarus’ resurrection. The power of God did for Lazarus what no human being could ever do.

After he came back to life, he was still wrapped in grave clothes, and then Jesus gave a command:

“Loose him and let him go.”

Now, this raises an important question.

Couldn’t the same power that raised Lazarus from the dead also remove the grave clothes?

I strongly believe that the resurrection power could have taken off the grave clothes instantly—just like it happened in the case of Jesus.

So why did Jesus ask people to remove the grave clothes manually?

The answer is simple and very profound.

God always makes room for the participation of man when He is working.

He does what man cannot do, and then He leaves what man can do for man to handle.

God brought you into salvation through His Word—that is something only He can do. But your growth, your training, and your transformation into everything God wants you to be will involve both God and man.

That is why submitting to the people God has placed over you—and allowing them to play their role in your life—is one of the fastest ways to grow and become all that God has called you to be.

God starts the work, but He often uses men to help complete the process.