Scripture to Read: John 11:1–4
Most Christians are familiar with the healing of Lazarus in John 11. Over the next seven days, we’ll dig into all our Lord Jesus said and did and how it ties to our lives today. We read in John 11:1–4, Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Lazarus was sick, and his sisters sent word to Jesus to let Him know. Jesus was close to this family, for even the sisters in their message to Jesus pointed out how Jesus loved Lazarus. God does not have John reveal who brought the message to Jesus; we just know the message was delivered. Jesus’ response, though, is incredibly telling. Jesus makes it a point to tell His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness will not lead to his death but will bring glory to God and glory to His Son. People today get sick with cancer or other diseases that lead to physical death. Though we pray for healing, often, their body still dies. Though we don’t know God’s eternal plan, we know God cares deeply when His children die (Psalm 116:15), and we can rest in Him.
Challenge & Application
• Why can we rest and trust in our Lord even when people close to us get sick and die?
• How can we help others who have had loved ones die, and how can our Lord use us to help comfort them?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!