John 11:3-5 – Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
You know it would have to be impossible for the Lord to abandon one of His friends. That would be contrary to His very nature and Martha and Mary were certain they could trust the Lord. Of course it was troubling when Lazarus died, they couldn’t understand the delay in Jesus coming to see them. If they didn’t quite understand what was going on they knew the Lord and their trust was totally in Him. They wanted to see a healing but what the Lord had in mind was much different and would carry a greater impact on the world. At the end of the day we tend to look at how things affect us, the Lord has a much bigger plan than we could even imagine. Here is how Augustine describes this moment.
“But what was the message sent by his sisters? “Lord, behold, he whom you love is ill.” They did not say, “Come,” for the intimation was all that was needed for one who loved. They did not venture to say, “Come and heal him,” nor did they venture to say, “Command there, and it shall be done here.” And why would it be any different with them if, on these very grounds, the centurion’s faith was commended? For he said, “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” These women said nothing like this, but only, “Lord, behold, he whom you love is ill”—as if to say: It is enough that you know. For you are not one that loves and then abandons.”
Of course the Lord did not abandon Lazarus; just like He didn’t abandon Joseph when he was carted off to Egypt, or Daniel when he was tossed to the lions, or Paul when he spent years in jail. God’s ways are not our ways. He sees from a different perspective and He always has the lost people of the world in mind. When Lazarus walked out of that tomb the world was changed. There was no turning back, the cross and the empty tomb would be coming very soon, and the nations would hear the message of the resurrection.
