Jesus revealed a common thread uniting the blindness of a man in chapter nine, the death of Lazarus in chapter 11, and his own approaching death in chapter twelve – the purpose for each one was the glory of God! Listen to Jesus speak to each occasion. 9:3 – “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 11:4 – “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.” 12:27-28 – “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
What a massive connection! The blind man of chapter 9 was born blind that he might serve as an eternal witness and testimony that Jesus is the Son of God! (9:30) We must hold fast to that truth in our hour of sickness or disability. While God may have many secondary purposes in mind, the fundamental purpose for all things God allows into our lives is that he might be glorified! Even in death, God receives glory. Jesus stayed behind for two days before he came to Lazarus. He meant for Lazarus’ resurrection to be undeniable in order that he might be undeniably the source of Life! (11:25) In his own death, his willing submission to the Father’s will, coupled with his qualified undertaking to save man from sin, will forever bring glory to God!
Let us take these things to heart. Let us live even in sickness and weakness in such ways that God is glorified through us. Let us live in such visible distinction from the world and in such hopeful peace in our dying moments that God is glorified in our deaths. To God be the glory – in our sickness and in our death!
Here's my tidbit for the day (not that John isn't just PACKED full of meat to chew on!!):
ReplyDeleteJohn 11:4-6 (I'm quoting from NKJV because that is what is here by the computer.)
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6 (Here it is:) SO, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."
"SO"--just one tiny word, but it is really sticking in my mind.
Jesus loved His three friends, SO He hurried off to Bethany... no.
Jesus loved His three friends, SO He sent word to them that He would be there as soon as He possibly could... no.
Jesus loved His three friends, SO He told the messenger that Lazarus was healed right at that moment and to go home and tell the sisters that Jesus healed him long distance... no.
Jesus loved His three friends, SO HE STAYED RIGHT WHERE HE WAS AND LET LAZARUS DIE. yes.
I wonder what He and the disciples were thinking for those two extra days? Jesus had to know that His two women friends were desperately disappointed in Him, maybe even questioning His love for them and for Lazarus?? Jesus knew what He was going to do in Bethany, He knew that the sisters would finally understand (and believe), He knew that Lazarus wouldn't mind being a major part of a huge object lesson... but for at least 4 days, longer to include Lazarus's last few days alive, Jesus was willing to let His love be questioned by some of His very best friends.
When Jesus arrived on the outskirts of Bethany Martha came up to Him, shaking her head sadly, and her first words were, "Lord, if You had only been here..." And 5 minutes later Mary came with exactly the same words on her lips. No wonder Jesus cried!
His love isn't simple, is it?
How difficult sometimes to wait for answers and to CHOOSE to believe that the pain and the waiting are His love too. To CHOOSE to believe in His love even when I don't understand. My understanding is not critical, my believing is.
Two extra bits:
Don't you wish we had a roll call sheet for the 120 in the upper room praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit to come (Acts 2)? I'm sure Mary, Martha and Lazarus were there, don't you think? Jairus, his wife and daughter; maybe the centurion whose servant was healed long distance, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea?? It's just something I wonder about: what happened to all these folks?
Isn't it strange that only John recorded the story of Lazarus being brought back from the dead??