John 11: The Raising of Lazarus
When John introduces this story to us he reminds us of the relationship between Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus. This is the Mary that washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. She love Jesus. And when they sent a message to tell Jesus of Lazarus' sickness, They reminded Jesus of their relationship. "Lord, he whom you love is ill." When Jesus hears of his sickness, instead of saying, "I do love him. I will be right there and heal him, he states the purpose of the sickness,and indeed the purpose of life. "It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified." This seems like such an unloving response to us, as if Jesus didn't care about them, only His glory. Does His love and His glory contradict each other? But verse 5 tells us the love of the family was reciprocal. "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." So somehow, this story is about the glory of God, and the love of God working together in his children's lives.
The next little conjunction is so important. (v. 6) Translated various ways-so, when, nevertheless- the word connects" things by way of opposition and distinction...it opposes persons to persons or things previously mentioned or thought of -either with strong emphasis." (Thayer's Lexicon). Therefore, in apparent contradiction to his love, he waited two days.
Don't we often feel this is happening in our lives. "Lord, I love you, and you love me. Please rescue me from this situation. Please solve this problem." But he doesn't do it. He lets us suffer. He lets us grieve deeply. In apparent contradiction to his love, he leaves us in our pain.
It is remarkable that Martha and Mary never accuse our Lord of not loving them.
And Jesus was not untouched by their situation. He was "deeply moved." He wept. "Behold, how he loved him." Said the onlookers.
Tenderly Jesus used their pain to increase their faith in him, to know Him in a way that would not have been possible without grief. And when it was all over, Lazarus was raised and they were all together again, I don't think they would have traded the experience for anything.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
