I believe that all of Scripture is the inspired word of God and profitable. Therefore, when John records the words of Jesus in 11:44 of his gospel, I believe it is a statement laden with meaning. The context is the raising of His good friend Lazarus from the dead and what is revealed regarding Jesus' true identity. At a specific point, Jesus tells those standing by, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." I find it extremely interesting that Jesus makes no attempt to personally touch Lazarus. Notice that Jesus is specific in His instructions after Lazarus exits the tomb. In the frame work of inspired Scripture, Jesus' words are included for a purpose. The story could have ended with Lazarus exiting the tomb, but it doesn't.
Bound by strips of linen around his hands and feet, with a cloth over his face, Lazarus hears the words of Jesus (which is a miracle in itself for a dead man is normally thought to be beyond hearing) and exits the tomb. Next Lazarus hears the explicit command of Jesus, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." The stunned onlookers surely needed some instruction, and the previously dead man, disoriented and still confined, surely needed assistance. At first, this ex-corpse sees nothing; he has only heard the voice of Jesus. The visual illustration on could make here is good theology, but let me continue with the thought I've started. When Jesus raises us out of our sinful state of death, there is something left to do before we run free. The grave clothes must go.
All sorts of grave clothes have us bound: Habitual sins, guilt, the philosophies of this age, the power of this world's system, etc. We must be free of them, and we are helpless to shed them on our own. Jesus tells our loved ones to help. Today, Christ continues to raise souls to new life, but we in the church must be ready and actively committed to the ministry of "taking off the grave clothes and letting people go." In bearing on another's burdens, in being a priest unto each other, in our fellowship with one another, we , the walking resurrected, are to be assisting one another in removing the remnants of death.
Consider two questions. (1) How do you need the assistance of others in shedding your burial garments? (2) How can you help others shed theirs? This, the freedom from the trappings and legacy of death, is the work of the fellowship of believers in communion with the Spirit of Christ who indwells each genuine follower of the Son of God. It is the Holy Spirit who will lead us into this ministry. As with all ministry, if the Spirit is not leading it, empowering it, and touching people with God's grace through it, the ministry is not of God and should be abandoned.