Our friend Lazarus sleepeth

So often when trials and tragedy come our way we are inclined to wonder why. We cannot understand why the Lord seems to delay in coming to our need, and what the purpose of the suffering is. In the raising of Lazarus John gives us a vivid answer to these perplexing questions.

Due to the attempts on His life, 10. 39, the Lord had withdrawn Himself to Perea on the east side of the Jordan. At this time a tragedy falls on a home in Bethany, well known to Him, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Lazarus had become seriously ill and in their desperation the sisters turn to the Lord for help.

It is interesting to see that in their message to Him they make no specific request. They simply bring theproblem to Him and leave it there, ‘Behold, he whom thou lovest is sick’. In their words they seem to imply that He was morally bound to act since this was someone whom He loved. He would, of course, act, but not in the way they expected.

The sisters were not the only ones that were confused by His actions; the disciples were as well, v. 8. If the sisters thought He was taking too long, the disciples thought that He was far too hasty in returning to Judea, as it would likely endanger their lives. They could not understand why He would want to return to the area where the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. His response to them was emphatic. As long as He was walking in the light He was doing the will of God, and whatever His enemies might have been plotting, the will of God could not be thwarted.

In the ensuing discussion with the disciples, He explains the real reason behind Lazarus’ illness and the subsequent miracle that would be performed. It would be primarily for their benefit, that they might believe, v. 15. As the story progresses it would also be for the benefit of the sisters and the many others who witnessed the miracle.

Here lies an important lesson for us all. Things may happen to us for no apparent reason. Yet, our trials might be the means through which God blesses others as well as ourselves.