David Bahn – Reflections

John 11:1-10

 ¹ Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. ² (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) ³ So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

 ⁴ When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

 ⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

 ⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

Sometimes God shows up the moment we seek him. Sometimes his rescue is instantaneous. Jesus has healed a blind man by making mud with his spit and dirt and healing him immediately (John 9). He has changed water into wine in the moment of immediate need (John 2). But here, on this occasion, Jesus waits to go to Bethany. Here he lets Lazarus die before he goes to raise him from the dead.

Jesus was going to do a greater work than healing Lazarus, he was going to raise him from the dead. But I believe there is something more at play here. The greater work of God is always preferable. And the timing of God is perfect. But the real blessing of God may come ultimately to others in the midst of our dealings.

Mary and Martha were surely blessed and thankful when Lazarus was raised from the dead. Lazarus himself was blessed too: he was alive again! But consider this: as this whole scene unfolded, Jesus spoke truths that we cling to to this day. We turn to this account when we need to know Jesus cares about us: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). We turn to John 11 when we are confronted with death, and Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

Perhaps God’s delay in your life will allow truths to become clear that will bless people generations from now. Perhaps the goodness of God will some day be so evident and fulfilling that whatever struggle you face today fades in the light of glory. What promise do you need to claim today that can serve as a testimony of God’s favor and faithfulness to generations to come – or to your co-worker or friend today?