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The Gospel of John: John 11.1-16
Read and meditate on John 11.4-6.
There are higher things than health. And sometimes love will wait, so that those higher things can be realized.
4When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick,
He said, “This sickness is not unto death,
but for the glory of the Lord instead,
and that the Son of God shall glory know
through it.” 5Now Jesus loved these women so,
and Lazarus as well. 6Yet He delayed
for two more days once He had heard, and stayed
beyond the Jordan.
- John 11.4-6
Reflect
1. Jesus did not say that Lazarus would not die. Rather, He indicated that death was not the final outcome of His friend’s sickness. Why could He say this? How should this comfort those who believe in Jesus? Complete this prayer: Death has no hold on or victory over us, Lord, because…
2. What is the glory of God? How can sickness and death bring glory to God? Lord, we are commanded to glorify You in everything we do, even in how we prepare to die. Help me, therefore, to…
3. More specifically, Jesus said that this sickness of Lazarus would allow Him to be glorified. Jesus waited for Lazarus to die, because then He would be glorified. Wouldn’t Jesus have been glorified in simply healing Lazarus before he died? Why was there apparently more glory in waiting? Lord, You can see further down the road than I can, and it pleases You sometimes for me to wait for answers to my prayers. Help me to wait well by…
4. We are told again (v. 5) that Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Yet He did not hasten from where He was to relieve their suffering. How would you explain Jesus’ love here? Was He acting like someone who really loved these people? Explain. Does love sometimes require that we accept suffering for some higher good than restored wellbeing? Explain. Lord, whenever I must suffer, help me to remember that…
5. Let’s put this story in context. Jesus will cross the Jordan from the east to the west, like Joshua before Him, with many new believers in tow. On the way to Bethany, He will tell the parable about Lazarus and the rich men. After Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, Mary will anoint Him for burial, and then He will enter Jerusalem to the cries of “The King of Israel!” Why was it so important to allow Lazarus to die? Why was it important for His disciples? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.
Summary
“Jesus saw that in the end, Lazarus’s illness and death would be for the glory of God. This is not to say that the sickness came on Lazarus so that God should be glorified, for it would be silly to say this, but rather, since the sickness had come upon Lazarus, Jesus foresaw the wonderful conclusion to Lazarus’s illness.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)
Nothing is more important in life than that God be glorified. And that may entail, from time to time, our being inconvenienced or allowed to suffer. How can we glorify God through trials of various kinds?
Closing Prayer
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40.1-3
Psalm 40.1-5 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save!
Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare? None with You can e’er compare.
T. M. Moore
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We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.