December 11, 2018 – John 11:3-4

So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 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.” John 11:3-4.

Jesus received the news calmly because He knew the purpose for the sickness of Lazarus.  He waited.  This did not seem reasonable to Mary and Martha.  They wanted Jesus to return immediately and heal Lazarus. Hadn’t Jesus had healed others?  

Jesus knew if He returned to heal Lazarus, this would take away the glory belonging to His Father.   How often we cannot understand when something happens we can’t fix immediately.  We moan, groan, and wonder why.  We forget our Heavenly Father understands the ‘why’.  It’s to teach us to believe in God and give Him the Glory in all things. 

The disciples, concerned about Rabbi Jesus’ safety and the threat of being stoned, objected. They did not understand Jesus is the Light and the Way. When we try to walk without Jesus, we walk in darkness.

Amazing, the sureness of verse 11, Now I will go and wake him up.  We know Jesus can wake us up when He comes again!  He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead… All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. Revelation 1:5

But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. But at night there is a danger of stumbling because they have no light.” Then He said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” John 11:8-11.