Devotionals for September 19, 2023
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READ
John 11:3-6; 14
3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
4 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.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
4 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.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
REFLECT
There are passages which challenge the picture of a pleasant, paletable Jesus. Anyone who imagines Jesus as someone who would never confuse, vex, or frustrate them must not be thinking of Jesus as depicted in the New Testament. Jesus, knowing his friend Lazarus is “ill” does not rush to heal him. He could have. It would not have been hard for him. But he does not. More confusingly, he cites “love” as his reason for “staying two days longer in the place where he was.” Then he tells his discples he is “glad he was not there.” Are we dealing with a sadistic Jesus who enjoys the suffering of others? Clearly not. Later in this passage Jesus is described as “deeply moved” (v.33). He even weeps at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus (v.35).
This raises a fundamental question. Why didn’t Jesus heal his friend? Why did not spare Lazarus’ suffering? Why did he not prevent his own suffering in weeping over his friend? Because through this suffering the glory of God would be revealed. In other words, something far greater, far more important than the alleviation of suffering was at play. To heal Lazarus would actually have prevented the salvation of many Jews who had come with Mary to visit Lazarus (v.45). If Jesus had avoided his own pain and the pain of his friend, those Jews would never have known salvation. Through suffering God demonstrates something far greater! In raising Lazarus from the dead he proclaims his authority over death itself. What is more comforting? Knowing that God can heal illness or that he can reverse the effects of death? I would guess the raised Lazarus would say the latter!
This raises a fundamental question. Why didn’t Jesus heal his friend? Why did not spare Lazarus’ suffering? Why did he not prevent his own suffering in weeping over his friend? Because through this suffering the glory of God would be revealed. In other words, something far greater, far more important than the alleviation of suffering was at play. To heal Lazarus would actually have prevented the salvation of many Jews who had come with Mary to visit Lazarus (v.45). If Jesus had avoided his own pain and the pain of his friend, those Jews would never have known salvation. Through suffering God demonstrates something far greater! In raising Lazarus from the dead he proclaims his authority over death itself. What is more comforting? Knowing that God can heal illness or that he can reverse the effects of death? I would guess the raised Lazarus would say the latter!
APPLY
Q: How does the text describe the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus?
Q: Where do you feel God revealing his glory in your suffering?
Q: How can this passage be a source of encouragement for someone you know who is suffering?
Q: Where do you feel God revealing his glory in your suffering?
Q: How can this passage be a source of encouragement for someone you know who is suffering?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, help us to trust your purposes. Help us to know that they are good, and that you are always working redemptively in our lives. Amen.
Lord, help us to trust your purposes. Help us to know that they are good, and that you are always working redemptively in our lives. Amen.