John 11:5–6 (ESV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill and demonstrates His love by waiting two days before heading back to Judea. Did you catch that? Jesus stayed two days longer because he loved them!  

Jesus delays His rescue of Lazarus long enough for Lazarus to die. He still seems unconcerned about the situation as he says, “For your sake, I am glad that I was not there.” It seems callous of Jesus to be glad at this outcome.  Death is painful, both to the one who is dying and to those who are left to watch it happen. This is pain we would all like to avoid, and yet Jesus says He is glad, “so that you may believe.”

Jesus finally arrives in Bethany after Lazarus has been dead for four days and Martha comes out to meet Him.  Read their conversation:

John 11:21–24 (ESV) Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

It doesn’t take much effort on our part to imagine what is going on in Martha’s mind: I know he will rise again and I’m looking forward to that. But, what about now? Without a man to care for Martha and her sister, they would have a very difficult time providing for themselves. The death of their brother was painful enough, but life without him would be worse. Martha has tried very hard to remember that Jesus knows their needs and will provide for them, “Even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”

Martha’s question, and often our question is, “Why? Why God, did you not intervene and prevent this soul-crushing pain ravaging me right now?” As He often does with us, He doesn’t answer that question. Rather, we can summarize what Jesus says to Martha, and to us: “I am enough. I am aware of your current pain and I understand what you are going through, but the solution you are seeking is only temporary. I have something better for you. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”

At the climax of the scene, Jesus prays, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” The purpose behind everything Jesus has done is so those who are standing around may believe. Jesus knows that believing He has been sent from God is of more eternal value than the prevention of Lazarus’ death. Let us not forget; it was out of love that Jesus allowed Lazarus to die, so that He could reveal to everyone Who He is!

John 11:43–44 (ESV) 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (ESV)

— adapted from musings (October 19, 2017) – Beyond Our Comprehension