How does understanding John 11:13 deepen our trust in Jesus' divine knowledge? Setting the Scene Jesus has just received word that His friend Lazarus is ill. After deliberately delaying two days (John 11:6), He tells the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep” (John 11:11). They assume He means natural rest. Then comes verse 13. What John 11:13 Says “They thought that He was speaking about actual sleep, but Jesus was speaking about the death of Lazarus.” Jesus’ Knowledge on Display • Physical absence, perfect awareness—Jesus is nowhere near Bethany, yet He knows Lazarus is already dead (compare John 11:17). • Precise terminology—He consciously uses “sleep” as a metaphor for death, underscoring His authority to awaken the dead (cf. Mark 5:39). • Consistent omniscience—This moment aligns with other scenes where Jesus reveals hidden facts: – John 1:48 “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” – John 2:24-25 “He knew all men…He Himself knew what was in man.” – Matthew 9:4 “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said…” Why This Builds Our Trust • Certainty in unseen realities—If He accurately assesses a death miles away, He certainly perceives every detail of our lives (Psalm 139:1-4). • Authority over life and death—Calling death “sleep” hints at His power to reverse it (John 11:25-26). • Reliability of His word—The disciples’ misunderstanding contrasts with Jesus’ flawless insight; His declarations never rest on guesswork (Numbers 23:19). • Assurance amid delay—Even when He seems inactive, He is fully informed and purposefully at work for God’s glory (John 11:4). Living Response to His All-Knowing Nature • Rest in His omniscience—Nothing about our health, finances, or future escapes His view (Hebrews 4:13). • Submit to His timing—Delays are not ignorance but design; He sees the end from the start (Isaiah 46:10). • Speak honestly in prayer—Since He already knows, we can lay everything bare without fear (1 Peter 5:7). • Expect resurrection hope—The same Lord who knew Lazarus was dead also called him out of the tomb; our ultimate future is secure (1 Thessalonians 4:14). |
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