“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. But Martha protested, “Lord, by this time there is a stench.” Jesus responded, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God” – John 11:39–40
There are parts of ourselves we dare not expose. Not to others. Not even to ourselves. My connect group discussed this in-depth last night. I hope that it inspires you.
So we cover them, with stylised acts, carefully curated symbols, socially approved scripts.
We wrap the shame of who we were, or fear we still are, behind fig leaves of performance, culture, or trauma-coded aesthetics.
But what if Jesus were to walk up to the tomb of that hidden, stinking part of your identity and say, “Take away the stone”?
Martha’s protest echoes in our souls:
“But Lord… it stinks.”
It’s been four days. Four years. Four decades of imprinted trauma, compensatory performance, and epigenetic inscriptions of rejection. Those, yet socially rewarded facades, create nocebic effects of filtered expressionism.
And yet Jesus insists: “Believe… and you will see the glory of God.”
You see, Lazarus wasn’t the only one in the tomb that day.
So is every soul who has learned to protect their pain with performance.
Every child taught that survival means silence.
Every adult who stylised trauma into fashion, curated shame into signal, and layered identity with symbols rather than surrender.
From the lens of trauma theory and epigenetics to the semiotics of social media aesthetics, the modern self has become a tomb of coded expression. Our identities are embalmed in layers of survival, defensiveness, adaption, and are performative.
These nocebic identity acts are not frivolous; they are deeply human responses to fragmentation. But they are not final. And they are not you.
Jesus does not come to shame our survival masks. He comes to remove the stone.
Not just to see the stench, but to raise what was once dead.
To restore what was once fragmented.
To rename what was once forgotten.
The symbol must yield to substance.
The curated must yield to the crucified.
The performance must make way for presence.
He does not say, “You stink.”
He says, “Come forth.”
And when you do, wrapped in grave clothes of what others called you, He will say again,
“Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:44)
Practical Application: Letting Jesus Remove the Stone
Identify Your Stone: Ask yourself, “What part of my identity have I kept sealed off, out of fear, shame, or past trauma?” Is it a belief about your worth? A secret pain? A performative mask you’ve worn so long it feels like skin? Naming it is the first step to healing.
Challenge the Stench Narrative: Like Martha, we often believe that exposing these wounds will bring disgust. But Jesus is not repelled by your decay, He is moved by compassion. He doesn’t recoil from your mess; He calls it forth into resurrection.
Create Safe Space for Honest Community: If you’re leading others (in church, counselling, or friendship), resist the temptation to fix. Instead, help remove the stone. Be a person who helps others feel safe enough to unmask their pain, knowing they are seen, not judged.
Trade Symbols for Substance: Examine any symbolic performances or stylised expressions in your life. Are they rooted in truth or defence? Do they express joy or shield shame? Let Christ name you, His words, not your props, define your worth.
Believe to See the Glory: Jesus didn’t say, “If you behave, you will see.” He said, “If you believe.” Healing does not begin with perfection; it begins with permission. Let Him call forth your true self, not the one buried under years of survival.
Prayer
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
I come to You with the stones I’ve placed over parts of my soul. The stench of old shame, trauma, and misnaming frightens me.
But You are not afraid.
Speak into my sealed places.
Roll away the stone I’ve used to hide myself.
Call forth the identity You authored for me, clothed not in fear, but in righteousness. Let Your glory be seen, not in my perfection, but in Your power to raise what I thought was lost forever.
In Your Holy, Stunning, Powerful, Name Messuah, Lird, King Jesus,
Amen.
#Hayibo 