John 11:3-6 - Lesson #111

Our present story began with a simple description of a family consisting of two sisters and one brother. Lazarus, who will be involved in one of the more dramatic events in all the New Testament, was introduced as the brother of Mary and Martha, but Lazarus was sick. We are not told what type of sickness nor the severity of the sickness, simply that he was sick.

Many sicknesses of the past can be cured today by common medication, countless other illnesses can be stopped with a visit to a doctor. But in the days of Jesus the options for sickness were limited.

John 11:3-6
"Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, 'Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.' When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

The Bible does not tell us of the past relationship between Jesus and this family, but it was clearly special - so special that the messenger only had to identify Lazarus as "he whom You love." We can say that Jesus, being the "only begotten Son" (John 3:16), had a love for the entire world, but this love was different. Not only does John make sure we know how much Jesus loved Lazarus, he also includes the love Jesus had for the sisters. It's important for us to focus on this love because Jesus' response is so difficult to understand.

Jesus knew the extent of Lazarus' sickness. He knew the final result of the sickness would not be death, but He also knew that the entire family was in great pain and distress - and yet He waited, He did not act.

We know that Jesus had the ability to act. When Jairus said his daughter was dying, Jesus went directly to his home. And though she died while they were still traveling, Jesus provided immediate comfort; "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well" (Luke 8:50). Then when He arrived, Jesus raised the girl from the dead. We also know that Jesus could heal with His word. When the man from Capernaum told Jesus his son was sick, Jesus spoke and healed the son; "Go your way; your son lives" (John 4:50).

He had the ability and He had the love, but He waited. I will feel good at the end of this story as I see how God is glorified through such pain, but at this moment when I see His inaction I want to scream "Why don't You do something?" And perhaps that's the point. God WILL be glorified. He IS working all things "together for good" (Romans 8:28), but we're NOT always going to see the how or the why. And maybe it's alright to sometimes scream "Why?" Perhaps it's natural to be frustrated and confused. But perhaps it's also part of God's plan that we learn the same lessons as this family. Even when we don't understand let's remember He loves us, He's in control, and He's working all thing together for the glory of God.