How does Jesus' delay in John 11:6 demonstrate His divine timing and purpose? Setting the Scene • John 11:6: “So on hearing that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two days.” • Mary and Martha had sent word, expecting immediate help. • Jesus deliberately remained in Perea instead of hurrying to Bethany. Observing Jesus’ Deliberate Delay • The pause was intentional, not accidental. • “Two days” placed His arrival exactly after Lazarus had been in the tomb four days (v. 17), eliminating any doubt about the reality of death. • His timing contradicted human urgency but aligned perfectly with divine purpose. Divine Timing Over Human Urgency • John 11:4: “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” • Jesus often operated on a heavenly timetable (cf. John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20). • Galatians 4:4 shows the larger principle: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son...” God’s actions always occur at the precise moment He intends. Purpose Revealed: Greater Glory • By allowing Lazarus to die, Jesus set the stage for a miracle beyond healing—resurrection. • The result: undeniable proof of His identity (John 11:42). • Glory was given to the Father and the Son in a way an ordinary healing could not have accomplished. Faith Formation for the Disciples • John 11:14-15: “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” • The delay became a teaching tool, deepening the disciples’ reliance on Jesus’ word rather than sight. • Their future mission would depend on trusting His timing (Acts 1:4-8). Comfort for Mary and Martha • Though painful, the sisters experienced a fuller revelation of Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25-26). • Their personal loss turned into a platform for the world to witness Christ’s power. • Romans 8:28 finds a concrete illustration here—God works all things for good to those who love Him. Foreshadowing the Cross and Resurrection • The miracle previewed Jesus’ own death and resurrection, demonstrating His authority over the grave. • It affirmed that His impending crucifixion would not be defeat but divine design (John 10:17-18). Application for Us Today • Delays in answered prayer can signal a greater purpose, not divine indifference. • We are invited to trust His perfect timing, confident that His glory and our ultimate good are inseparable. |
    |