John 11:1–27
The Death of Lazarus
“But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’” John 11:4 (NRSV)
Because Jesus and God are different sides of the same person, Jesus knew that his good friend Lazarus was dying. He also knew the terrible pain and grief that death would cause.
He knew he would be able to resurrect Lazarus. But he uses the same language about death and glorifying God that he has in the past. And still, he delays. He sees the suffering the disciples, Mary and Martha go through. How terribly Jesus must have suffered during this time. How anguished he must have been to know he could heal Lazarus and keep them all from going through the despair that death and burial bring to a family. It foreshadowed what his disciples and family would go through when his own, imminent death would come.
But that was not the intent.
Lord, forgive me when I don’t forgive myself.
Lori Earls
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