April 25, 2019 – John 11:1-3

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” John 11:1-3.

When a dear friend becomes ill, we want to rush to their bedside to love them.  Lazarus and his sisters had a deep relationship with Jesus.  Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with her hair and cared for Him when He came to visit.  Why didn’t Jesus rush to see Lazarus?  

Jesus waited another two days before he traveled back. Martha met Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”  Jesus reassured Martha – “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “Yes, on Resurrection Day.” 

Jesus replied, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”  John 11: 25.  Martha said to Jesus, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:27.  Mary came and cried; and Jesus wept with her.  He went to the tomb and in a loud voice cried, “Lazarus, come out.”

Before the disciples and those gathered around the tomb, Lazarus came alive.  They remembered the words of Jesus.  “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  When we pray, believing in Jesus, we glorify our Lord God!

But when Jesus heard it He said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4