TAKE OFF HIS DEAD CLOTHES

"Take off his dead clothes!"

 

No, this is not about a zombie apocalypse.

 

My prisoner friend, Marcus (not his real name), used that phrase.

 

This young man, an acquaintance of my family of origin, was put in prison several months ago. My mom started writing him. The love he experienced in that relationship was totally foreign to him; as a result he became a new creation in Christ. Marcus is an amazing influence on his inmates.

 

The abandonment and abuse he suffered as a child, a childhood dream crushed to powder by the events of September 11th, and his rebellion funneled him into despair and prison. They also pointed up his need for a Savior, Who Marcus has fully embraced. This man has more freedom of spirit and peace behind bars than many of us out in the world.

 

Some in our clan have "adopted" him. Marcus wrote this at the end of his most recent letter to me: "The open wounds are still there, but the Healer is here. He's in my life, so there's a cure, there's hope, for the Remedy has arrived. My Lord has come to fix what was once broken. 😊

 

"Yes, I need help from people like your family, Grandma [Julia's mom] and Mom [Julia's sister] for guidance, and I value you guys so much."

 

He continued, "Remember Lazarus? When Christ revived Him He said, 'Lazarus, come out.' When Lazarus came out, the Scripture says ... his hands and feet [were] wrapped in linens and a cloth around his face.

 

Jesus said to the people standing near Lazarus, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.' If Jesus could revive Lazarus, why do you think He didn't miraculously also take off the dead people clothes on Lazarus? Surely that would be easy for somebody He just revived. Instead Jesus says, 'You take off his dead clothes.' That's because Jesus may revive us, but we depend on other people to help us shed our burial clothes. That is what you people are to me."

 

Of course, I was in tears reading that. But I don't quote him to pat myself on the back.

 

I'm asking you, dear reader, Who are the people in your life who need help taking off their burial clothes?

 

Be the one to do it.