Today’s Reading: John 11; Psalm 35
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” – John 11:4-7
FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus. We see later in the passage that there was an unspoken expectation with that message, and there was hurt expressed when Jesus did not do what they wanted him to do when they wanted him to do it (11:21-22). But Jesus saw the larger picture, and he made the choice to wait for two days before making his way back to Judea. In fact, it was not until he knew that Lazarus had passed away that he told his disciples of his plans to go and wake up his sleeping friend.
They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” – John 11:14-15
SO THAT THE DISCIPLES WOULD REALLY BELIEVE
Jesus showed up in the midst of their grief. Martha was the first of the two sisters to meet Jesus as he arrived at Bethany. After she voiced her disappointment that he had not come sooner, Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would rise again. Her faith brought her to the point of agreeing that Lazarus would rise again on the last day with everyone else, but Jesus was there to take her faith to the next level.
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” – John 11:25-27
Martha went to find Mary. Pulling her aside, she told her that Jesus wanted to see her. Mary immediately went to him, but the mourners saw her leave and followed her, creating a chorus of wailing that followed each step she took. When he saw Mary’s grief and heard the loud sorrow of the uninvited mourners, scripture says a deep anger welled up within him.
Jesus asked where Lazarus was, so they brought him to the cave, which had been sealed by a stone. Jesus wept as he moved to the place where Lazarus had been laid. Even as he moved toward the miracle, the people standing nearby criticized that this man who had healed a blind man had not kept his friend from dying.
Have you seen yourself in this passage of scripture yet? Have you witnessed any of this behavior in others? When God does not answer our prayers in the way we want him to, many choose to pull their faith. Others start doubting the wisdom of God or they criticize His perfect timing. When we can’t see the purpose behind the delay or we have to sit in the reality of God’s “no”, we can either focus on our disappointment or we can allow this difficulty to strengthen our faith.
Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
“Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” – John 11:38-44
FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE OBSERVING THE SITUATION
We live in an imperfect world where sin has resulted in sickness, disease and disaster. Accidents happen and tragedies are a reality of this earthly existence. No one is exempt from the pain of this world. Therefore, when we find ourselves needing a miracle, we do what Jesus taught us to do — we ask. And when our prayer is not answered in the way we asked, we do what Jesus taught us to do — we trust. We trust that God will be glorified, we trust that God will use the situation to grow our faith, and we hope that those observing the situation will see both the glory of God and our unwavering belief that God is always good!
Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. – John 11:45-46
Not everyone will respond in the way we hope they will. Some will explain away the miracles God gives us, while others will join us in giving God the glory for answered prayers. Some will delight in trouble coming our way and encourage us to be angry with God, while others will join us in praying for God to get the glory no matter the outcome.
Lord, one thing we are confident of this morning — you show up for us in our grief. You are a God of compassion who cares deeply for us, and you are patient with our emotions. You understand our anger because you know what it feels like to be angry; you understand our grief because you, too, have grieved. We come to you this morning with all of our needs and requests, trusting for you to be glorified and for faith to be fueled no matter the outcome. As we focus on thankfulness this week, we want to declare that we are grateful to serve a God who is always faithful and always good! Amen!