Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
(ESV)
So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 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.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
(ESV)
—John 11:1, 3-16
by: Paula Davis.
Can you relate to the confusion the disciples must have experienced when Jesus waited a few days before going to His sick friend, then told them that the friend had died? Jesus told the disciples He was glad for their sakes He had not been there to heal him. The Lord’s ways are certainly not our ways, and many times I have been confused that He acted or did not act as I thought He should. What about you? The disciples were faithful to go with Jesus regardless of whether or not they understood. I hope we can follow their example and trust even when we lack understanding.
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