In delaying to come to Lazarus, Christ had a purpose of mercy toward those who had not received Him. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly". From every temptation and every trial He will bring them forth with firmer faith and a richer experience. They will look back with thankfulness upon the darkest part of their way. “For your sakes,” “to the intent ye may believe.” To all who are reaching out to feel the guiding hand of God, the moment of greatest discouragement is the time when divine help is nearest. He loved them no less because He tarried but He knew that for them, for Lazarus, for Himself, and for His disciples, a victory was to be gained. He suffered every pang of sorrow that they endured. But He knew that because of the struggle through which they were now passing their faith would shine forth with far greater power. He permitted Lazarus to pass under the dominion of death and the suffering sisters saw their brother laid in the grave.Ĭhrist knew that as they looked on the dead face of their brother their faith in their Redeemer would be severely tried. He suffered the enemy to exercise his power, that He might drive him back, a conquered foe. Death could not have aimed his dart at Lazarus in the presence of the Life-giver. ![]() Had Christ been in the sickroom, Lazarus would not have died for Satan would have had no power over him. Had He restored him from illness to health, the miracle that is the most positive evidence of His divine character, would not have been performed. For their sake He permitted Lazarus to die. They were to be His representatives to the world, that the Father's blessing might embrace all. He felt every pang of anguish, as He said to His disciples, “Lazarus is dead.” But Christ had not only the loved ones at Bethany to think of He had the training of His disciples to consider. Jesus witnessed the sorrow of their rent hearts, as their brother wrestled with his strong foe, death. Christ beheld the whole scene, and after the death of Lazarus the bereaved sisters were upheld by His grace. that I was not there.” Did the Saviour by His own choice avoid the home of His suffering friends? Apparently Mary and Martha and the dying Lazarus were left alone. The disciples marveled at Christ's words when He said, “Lazarus is dead. When Lazarus died, they were bitterly disappointed but they felt the sustaining grace of Christ, and this kept them from reflecting any blame on the Savior. Tenderly they tried to speak words of hope and encouragement to the almost unconscious sufferer. Yet he brought the message, “This sickness is not unto death,” and they clung to the hope that Lazarus would live. As long as the spark of life was yet alive in their brother, they prayed and watched for Jesus to come. They believed that He would sympathize with them in their distress therefore they made no urgent demand for His immediate presence, but sent only the confiding message, “He whom Thou lovest is sick.” They thought that He would immediately respond to their message, and be with them as soon as He could reach Bethany.Īnxiously they waited for a word from Jesus. Lazarus was stricken with sudden illness, and his sisters sent to the Savior, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.” They saw the violence of the disease that had seized their brother, but they knew that Christ had shown Himself able to heal all manner of diseases. Sorrow entered the peaceful home where Jesus had rested. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. ![]() ![]() John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
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