John 11 -- Four Things To Consider

The story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus is familiar, but I loved some things my commentary pointed out that we might not often consider:

1)       Jesus had sent word back to the sisters that He was coming.  It appears that Lazarus must have died before the messenger returned to them.  “Jesus was urging them to believe His word no matter how discouraging the circumstances might appear.”

2)      Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying, even from a great distance.  “God’s love for His own is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love … We must never think that love and suffering  are incompatible.  Certainly they unite in Jesus Christ.”

3)      Jesus wept.  “Our Lord’s response was to groan within and ‘be moved with indignation.’ At what was He indignant?  At the ravages of sin in the world that He had created.”

4)      After seeing Lazarus brought back to life after four days in the grave, some of the witnesses “went to the religious leaders and reported what had happened … These informers were so near the kingdom, yet there is no evidence that they believed.  If the heart will not yield to truth, then the grace of God cannot bring salvation.”

Father, thank You for reminding me just last week that I trust You, no matter the circumstances, knowing that You are in complete control of my life, and that nothing surprises You and nothing confounds You.  You use it all to glorify Yourself!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford