byWhy did Jesus intentionally wait for Lazarus to die before coming to resurrect him, knowing very well that He had been told days before that he (Lazarus) was sick? That is one doctrinal question I found hard to get an answer from some people I asked years ago. But today, I am glad to write an article about it after much study into it. Read on to delve deeper.
By the way, the whole story of Jesus hearing Lazarus was sick to the point of resurrecting him from the dead can be found in John 11:1-44.
“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
When Jesus received word from Lazarus’ two sisters, Mary and Martha, that he was sick, He didn’t agonise with the messengers. Instead, He said Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death (see John 11:4), meaning it wasn’t a serious issue. If it were today, some people would say that Jesus is insensitive, lacking a sense of humour and unwilling to help people in an emergency. But let’s speak the truth here.
Jesus, although very busy throughout His ministry, never ran. He always walked (even on the Sea of Galilee), no matter where he went. If there were any transport mechanisms apart from walking that He used, then it would be by sea. Jesus was so at peace every time that no issue disturbed Him. And guess what? That was the same peace He left for us (see John 14:27). Did He know that believers would face challenges in life? Yes, He did. But He knew that when we allow His peace to dwell in us richly, we will surely overcome every challenge that comes our way.
Did Lazarus die? Yes, he did. In fact, Jesus even told His disciples that Lazarus was dead before going over to Judea to see him at the tomb (see John 11:14). So did Jesus lie when He said Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death? Don’t rush to say “yes” because the answer is “no”. A lie is a sin, and the Bible says Jesus was without sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). So, Jesus didn’t lie. The interpretation of the word “death” He used in John 11:4 didn’t mean death without resurrection. It meant physical death with resurrection back to life. Today, if you pray about an issue and God tells you that, be assured that even if the worst happens, He will bring life back into it.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He can bring back to life anything people regard as dead and worthless.
Belief in resuscitation in Judaism
I hope you are aware that before Jesus introduced Christianity, a lot of the Jews were into Judaism, and it’s sad to say that most of them are still into that religion. In Judaism, there is a belief that if a person dies, the soul of the person lingers around the body for a maximum of 72 hours and tries as much as possible to re-enter the body, and if unsuccessful, departs entirely from the person. Is that belief true? No? Why? According to scripture, when a person dies, their soul will be judged, either going to heaven (if saved) or to hell (see Hebrews 9:27-28, Revelation 22:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, John 5:28-29).
So, Jesus, in order to prove to those stiff-necked Jews that God has power over death, intentionally waited for four days before coming to resurrect Lazarus from the dead. Isn’t that wonderful of Him? In fact, many Jews believed in Jesus right there and then when they saw Him resurrect Lazarus (see John 11:45). He won many souls unto God with one miracle. Wow!
The resurrection and the life
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (see John 11:25). He can bring back to life anything people regard as dead and worthless. Is it your life that has become so bad because you messed up with it in worldliness? He can give you beauty for ashes. But when you come to Him, and He tells you what to do, don’t challenge Him or complain like Martha did when Jesus ordered for people to take away the stone that covered the tomb where Lazarus was laid (see John 11:39). Believe in Him, and watch Him do miracles in your life.
