A Verse
John 11:4-7
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
A Comment
Today’s passage comes from the well-known story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. As I reflected upon this passage this morning, I was again struck by Jesus’ comments to His disciples before their journey to Judea. Let’s look at a few things here.
First, we encounter Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus’ sickness. Jesus situates how He will respond to the news in the context of glorifying God. He states, “It,” which refers to the illness, “is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” What a statement! God would be glorified through sickness?
Lest we conclude from Jesus’ response that He does not love Mary, Martha, or Lazarus, or that somehow Jesus takes pleasure in human suffering, John, the author of this gospel, tells us that Jesus loved them. But how can we discern Jesus’ love in this context? Wouldn’t love have compelled Jesus to heal Lazarus immediately upon hearing of the news of his illness? Indeed, Jesus was able to do this, as we are aware of Him doing it in the case of the Centurion’s servant (Luke 7:1-10).
Yet, Jesus waited in the case of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Why? If we read this passage in its context, we must conclude that it is because Jesus loved them that He waited. Jesus intended to do something that would benefit not only Lazarus's physical health but, more importantly, the faith of the whole community in Judea, especially those He loved: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
Jesus, in complete submission to the will of His Father, waited until the time was right to begin the journey to Judea to glorify God by raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus would not compromise the glory of God at the request of others, even those He loved. This is good because by doing so, Jesus not only performs a miracle, which benefits those He loved, but He reinforces the bigger context, which is the need for people to behold the glory of God.
I wonder how often you or I have interpreted the Lord’s waiting as indicating that He does not care or love us. I know I’ve been guilty of thinking like this before, but this passage in John 11 reminds me that “God’s thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are His ways, my ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are called to trust the Lord, even our waiting. We can trust that He is working all things for His glory and our good.
A Prayer
Will you pray with me?
A Blessing
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
When the Lord Waits...