The Raising of Lazarus
A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 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.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
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 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.”
The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” John 11:1-16
There is so much more going on here than just the raising from the dead of Lazarus. The faith of Mary and Martha was substantial because they believed that the Lord not only could, but would heal their brother. They had faith to believe that Jesus would provide for them.
The disciples faith was about to be bolstered as well. They had seen Jesus perform many miracles before. The knew of His greatness and power. But, they still lacked something. They wanted a Messiah that delivered them from Roman rule. What they got was a Messiah that delivered them from the slavery of death, so beautifully and symbolically illustrated here in the story of Lazarus.
My faith and hope can also be bolstered from this account of Lazarus death and resurrection. I know that ultimately, Lazarus did die, but I also know that he will live again, just as he has already done through the power of Jesus. It is a comfort to know that Jesus has this power and that my death isn’t the end. I want to type a few notes (not all of them) from my study bible.
Note on verse 11:4
Any trial a believer faces can ultimately bring glory to God because God can bring good out of any bad situation (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). When trouble comes, do you grumble, complain, and blame God, or do you see your problems as opportunities to honor him?
Note on verses 11:5-7
Jesus loved this family and often stayed with them. He knew their pain but did not respond immediately. His delay had a specific purpose. God’s timing, especially his delays, may make us think he is not answering or is not answering the way we want. But he will meet all our needs according to his perfect schedule and purpose (Philippians 4:19). Patiently await his timing.
I have made my husband angry inadvertently today. It is not my desire to do this, but it has happened. There will be a major argument later tonight, I’m sure. He will “come down hard” on me, and I by no means look forward to tonight. I am afraid of tonight because I know that I have long surpassed my “wits end” and my “rope” is gone. I am unable to withstand his anger or hostility any more for any thing. (I know that isn’t being very submissive. I am, after all, supposed to be submissive to him as unto the Lord.)
Even though I know that God can, I simply can’t put one foot forward any more. It is strange actually, knowing that God is so powerful and can do all things, yet knowing that I can’t and in fact shrink in fear of the coming storm. Even still, after knowing and feeling these things, I know that God can and will use even this situation to God’s glory and for His purpose. I fear the storm, but I see the hope. I just have to cling onto that hope.
Faith is the biggest difference between my husband and me and we have many differences! I believe because God said so, my husband believes “only if it makes sense to him and no commentaries, nor anything that anyone else may say, the Bible only please!”
I guess, what is on my heart today is that I believe that while we have our responsibility to do right and please God always, that God can and will always use any situation to His good and to His glory. Even if we fail miserably, God will use it for His glory. That’s not to say that we won’t suffer from our actions or the actions of others.
For instance, conceiving our first daughter out of wedlock was not what God intended, to be sure. Later, after I agreed to marry my husband, he insisted that we marry two days after he asked me and that wasn’t necessarily the good or right way to do things. In the beginning of our marriage, I wasn’t allowed to tell others we were married and I’m sure that wasn’t good or right to do.
And the things that I/we did wrong could go on, but that list is only to illustrate just how much God can utilize our failures to do right, for His glory. Today, we have a family, two daughters and us. We will have more children, when God brings them into our lives. I have reached my husband’s heart in ways that many years of him being a Christian has been unable to reach. Lest I boast incorrectly, not I but God has reached him, I’ve just been the vessel. He has worked through my husband to reach me in some untouchable areas in my heart as well. Today I have a ministry that would never have existed with a much more easy-going and pleasant to live with man.
But alas, the Lord saw fit to put me through specific trials in order to minister to others. It is God’s honor and glory that has been able to shine through, even in my failures. What I have done, how I have sinned, is not right, nor will it ever be, but God can use my failures to reach out to others that have had similar experiences and I can help them see the love of God in their lives, regardless of their situation. I couldn’t have done that without the “privilege of suffering” as Paul writes about in one of his epistles.
No, I do not look forward to the coming storm, but I know that ultimately, “this to shall pass.” Since I’m fairly angry these days, it will be hard to be meek and do the right when the storm is in full swing. I just have to rely on the Lord, for He is my hope and stay. He is all I have. I believe that He has us all in the palm of His hand and that He will overcome our pettiness all to His glory.
I know that He will be glorified in no small, part because I believe in the written word of God that has so clearly demonstrated Jesus power. I also know this because of the power of Jesus that I have already seen in my life through the miraculous changes of hearts in myself and those around me.
Just as Lazarus’s sickness did not end in death, so to our failures in this life can be utilized by God to bring Him glory. God not only wins others’ hearts through us, but also our hearts through our mistakes. Praise be to God!
May God provide the increase.
Praying for you and the situation you mentioned! That good might come from the storm. Natural storms have a way of clearing things out leaving a peaceful calm in it’s wake. May the storm bring healing and peace. Faith and hope will get you through as you continue to focus on Jesus!
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Thanks Alex. You have given me an opportunity to re-read what I have written and once again, God has used it to help me in my present situation.
I just left a comment for another person, but I’ll say it again, it is high time that I start writing again…So, maybe tomorrow morning would be perfect for that…Thanks again for stopping by.
Thank you for this scripture. My father was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Boy that was a had pill to swallow. My heart is breaking and asking God why now. We are strong believers but even in these tough times, our faith can be hard to grab a hold to. I know the word, and I believe his word is true. Thank you for your post. Please pray for my family