Read and meditate on John 11.14, 15.
Jesus explains to His disciples that He is glad Lazarus is dead, because his death will serve some very important purposes.

                                                                                         ¹⁴So
He told them plainly, “Friends, you need to know
that Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵And for your sakes
I’m glad I was not there, so that you may
believe in Me. But let us go to him.”

 - John 11.14, 15

Reflect
1. Previously, Jesus had spoken obliquely about Lazarus’ condition (“Our friend Lazarus sleeps”). Here He spoke plainly – “Lazarus is dead.”Why do you suppose He didn’t speak plainly at first? Is there a lesson in verses 11-14 about how God’s Word becomes clearer to us? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, Your Word is not always clear to me. Sometimes it seems You’re speaking to me “slant.” So I know I need to…

2.  It may have sounded strange to the disciples for Jesus to say He was “glad” that He hadn’t been there to prevent Lazarus’ dying. But Jesus’ gladness was not because Lazarus had died. His death would serve larger purposes, beginning with how the situation would affect the disciples. What did Jesus mean by “that you may believe” (v. 15)? Didn’t the disciples already believe in Him? Lord, I believe in You; help me to believe…

3.  Belief – or faith – in Jesus is not something that comes to us full and complete. We believe in Jesus unto salvation, but there is always room to believe more unto greater measures of our great salvation. How can we know when we’re increasing in faith? What does growing in faith require? Why would the disciples increase in faith at the tomb of Lazarus? Why does it make Jesus “glad” when our faith increases? Lord, I’ll know that my faith is increasing when…

4.  Let’s try to hear Jesus’ remarks in verses 14 and 15 as the disciples might have heard them. Remember: All they knew was that Lazarus was dead. They did not know what was going to happen. But Jesus said He was glad “for your sakes” that this was the case. Something about this situation was going to enable them to “believe.” Why didn’t Jesus tell them more? Is there a principle of disciple-making in the way Jesus responded here? What might have been some of their thoughts as they arose to cross the Jordan and head toward Bethany? Is there a lesson in this situation for your own calling to follow Jesus? Lord, I don’t always know what You’re doing, or where You’re leading me, but I have Your Word with me always. So…

5. I know we’re working very slowly through these verses, but so much is going on here, and I want us to read and pay attention to every word of Scripture, since every word was inspired by God and is fraught with meaning. Jesus said to the disciples, “Nevertheless let us go to him.” Jesus hinted at what He was planning by saying “let us go to him” rather than to Mary and Martha or Bethany or the tomb. This is all that Jesus revealed about what He was planning to do. The verb “let us go” is hortatory – it’s in the form of a mild command which includes the speaker and is meant to encourage. All the disciples knew about Jesus’ plan to increase their faith was to get up and follow His every next step on the way to him – to Lazarus. Is there a lesson in discipleship here? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“Is he who does not desire the death of a sinner, now glad of the death of a friend? I rejoice, [Jesus says], not for my own sake, nor for the sake of the dead, but for your sake. For I need this death as the foundation for your faith.” Hippolytus (fl. 222-245 AD)

Following Jesus is a matter of increasing in faith through being clear about His Word and taking whatever next steps He indicates. We don’t need to know everything from the beginning. We just need to make sure we understand what He requires at each moment. What is your practice in discerning the will and leading of our Lord for your daily life?

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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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.