What Jesus Did! 'Let Him Go!' — John 11:43-44

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

The Spring Emerges: JESUShaped

JESUShaped is a discipleship and church planting work born from this ministry.

 Learn More
[After the stone was rolled away from Lazarus' tomb and Jesus thanked the Father for hearing him,] Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!"
— John 11:43-44 NLT

Key Thought

I love Jesus' words, "Unwrap him and let him go!" Death cannot bind Lazarus anymore, so don't let his graveclothes bind him either! Think of the power of Jesus' directions for those standing by watching! One day, Jesus will speak our names, call us to himself, and forbid death to bind us. Lazarus is a great example of what we anticipate - receiving back those who have died and gone before us and receiving our call to be set free from the demands of a mortal body. Lazarus is a great reminder that we are free from the power of death to hold us captive!

Today's Prayer

Lord God Almighty, the Father of all that lives, thank you for giving us back what we throw away with sin. Thank you for the assurance that I will be united with those that I love who have died in faith. Thank you for the assurance that death cannot hold me captive. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

The Gathering Storm
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, If you have been following along with My story in the gospels, you know that I am headed for Jerusalem. You also know that I am on a....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 11:43-44 NLT — "Lazarus, come out!" —— "Unwrap him and let him go!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 18:35
"The words are capable of being translated, "thy goodness hath made me great." David gratefully ascribed all his greatness not to his own goodness, but..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God’s Deliverers Are People like Us'
"[Stephen continued his defense before the council by quoting what God said to Moses when calling him back to Egypt to save God's people:] "'I have..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Forgiveness Requires You to Forgive'
"Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Who Controls You?' (Ro. 8:5)
"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!