(John 11:4 NIV) When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death. NO, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
We will get back to the Proverbs series soon, I promise, but for the next couple of weeks I feel led to teach on the story of Lazarus. I call it “Lessons from Lazarus.” This is a powerful story. I trust you will be blessed. I know I will.
John’s 11th chapter opens up with mention of a man named Lazarus and he was sick; very sick actually. This man was from Bethany and he happened to be the brother of Mary and Martha. This was the same Mary who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. So the sisters, confident in their relationship with the Master, sent word to the Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one who you love is sick.” Notice that Jesus loved Lazarus. No question Mary and Martha assumed Jesus would be on the scene immediately. But this is where we pick up our text. When He heard the news He said, “This sickness is not unto death. NO, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Remember, this is a family who loved Jesus and who were loved by Him. Whenever Jesus came to town He stayed at their home and enjoyed their presence. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus had a special relationship with Jesus, one that many probably secretly wished they could have. Their relationship, however, would not exonerate them from tragedy reaching their home. Sickness seemingly creeped in through the night and struck Lazarus. He must have been really sick, because the sisters sent word to Jesus. This was their desperate attempt to deal with a situation that was bigger than anything they could control. What was Jesus’ response to all of this? Did He jump up and immediately run to Bethany? Did He speak the Word and dispatch healing angels through the air? Did He send the disciples to work on His behalf? No, He hung around where He was for two more days. Why? Because He already knew what the end of the issue would be and that there was purpose wrapped up in the pause. Oh, I love this story. We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? Here are some practical golden nuggets in the text:
1. Being a Christian does not mean that we will never go through any storms.
2. Whenever situations enter your life that are bigger than your capacity to handle, take it to the Lord in prayer. There is nothing too hard for God!
3. When you pray, remember that you are not sending breaking news to God, like a reporter on the front lines. He knows everything that has and will ever happen to you.
4. Whatever He permits to enter the arena of your life, He has purpose wrapped up in.
5. His timing is not your timing.
6. Never give up on God, no matter how grim the circumstances may seem! It’s not over ‘till He says it’s over!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and Prosper!
