What can we learn about Jesus' relationships from John 11:5? The Verse at a Glance “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11:5) Love Expressed in Named Friendships • Jesus’ love is not abstract; He loves real people with real names. • The deliberate mention of all three siblings—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—shows that each relationship mattered personally to Him. • His love bridges gender and age, embracing both women and men in equal warmth (cf. Luke 10:38-42). Intentional, Personal Relationships • Jesus invested time in their home at Bethany, making friendship a priority even amid ministry demands. • His affection is active, leading Him to return to Judea despite danger (John 11:7-8). • He communicates openly with them, calling Lazarus “our friend” (John 11:11). Love Balanced with Sovereign Purpose • Although He loved them, He delayed two days before going (John 11:6), proving that divine timing can coexist with genuine affection. • His love never compromises His mission; it works through it, ensuring God’s glory “so that you may believe” (John 11:15). • Genuine love sometimes allows temporary pain for eternal good (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:6-7). Marks of Christ-Like Friendship • Personal—knowing names and stories. • Present—showing up, even when risky. • Purposeful—seeking God’s glory and others’ faith, not mere comfort. • Persistent—unchanged by circumstances or misunderstandings (John 11:21-22, 32). Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • John 13:1 – “Having loved His own… He loved them to the end.” • John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” • Proverbs 18:24 – “…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Living It Out • Cultivate friendships marked by name-knowing, time-giving, and prayer-driven concern. • Hold plans loosely so God’s purpose can shape your timing, just as Jesus’ delay magnified His love. • Let willingness to sacrifice—time, comfort, even reputation—validate professed love, echoing the Master’s pattern. |
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