“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.'” – John 11:14-15
Think about these words for a moment, because they may well challenge your notions about Jesus and His purpose. Jesus and His disciples had been told that their friend Lazarus was sick. In His perfect divine knowledge, Jesus knew that Lazarus had actually died. Indeed, Jesus intentionally stayed where He was for two extra days to make sure Lazarus would be long-dead when they finally reached Bethany.
Then Jesus, Who could have easily and instantly healed Lazarus from where He was, told His disciples He was glad He wasn’t there to heal their friend. What?!? Why??? So that they would believe in Him, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Resurrection and the Life.
Jesus permitted sorrow and grief. He permitted death to take His friend. Why? It certainly wasn’t because Jesus didn’t love Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus wept for Lazarus’ death. He loved this family. But also He understood His mission and its eternal stakes. Earthly life only lasts for so long. If Jesus had healed Lazarus, he would still eventually die of old age. On the other hand, eternal life, which comes as a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, will never end. Eternal life is of infinitely greater value than earthly life and comfort. The salvation of many is well worth the temporary sorrow of a few.
The greater good – for the disciples, for Lazarus’ family, and for Lazarus himself – was for Jesus to let His friend die and then raise him back to life. By this unprecedented sign, countless people across countless generations have come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We won’t always understand the ways of Jesus. We won’t always understand why He does or doesn’t appear to answer our prayer requests in the manner we’d prefer. We won’t always understand His timing. But it’s always perfect! Jesus does everything out of love and mercy and a desire for deeper fellowship with people, including those times when His answer feels late or wrong to our limited understanding.
Will you trust Jesus? Will you trust the Resurrection and the Life? Even when He doesn’t operate in ways you can understand? #FollowJesus