How can John 11:4 deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty over illness? Setting the Scene: The Context of John 11:4 “ ‘When Jesus heard this, He said, “This illness will not end in death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”’ ” (John 11:4) Lazarus is gravely sick. His sisters send word, hoping Jesus will rush back and heal him. Before leaving, Jesus utters the above promise. That single sentence frames everything that follows. God’s Sovereignty Declared in One Sentence • Jesus speaks with absolute certainty: “will not end in death.” His word governs the outcome before events unfold. • He assigns purpose to the illness: “for the glory of God.” Sickness, even unto death, is not random but divinely directed. • He centers that purpose on Himself: “so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” God’s glory and Christ’s exaltation are inseparable. • Nothing in the text hints at chance, fate, or merely natural causes. The Lord rules every detail. What We Learn About Illness Under God’s Control • Illness can serve greater purposes than immediate healing. • God may delay relief to display a fuller, more breathtaking revelation of His power (vv. 5–6, 14–15). • Sovereignty means God is not reacting; He is orchestrating. Lazarus’s death, the weeping crowds, and the stone-sealed tomb all become props for Christ’s glory. • Our perspective is limited (“Lord, if You had been here,” v. 21), yet God’s plan is flawless (“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” v. 40). Supporting Passages Confirming God’s Rule • Exodus 15:26 — “I am the Lord who heals you.” Healers command sickness. • Job 2:6 — “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” Satan’s reach stops where God says. • Psalm 103:19 — “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; His kingdom rules over all.” “All” includes viruses, tumors, and diagnoses. • Romans 8:28 — “All things work together for good to those who love God….” Illness is within “all things.” • James 5:15 — “The prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” Even healing, when granted, comes from His sovereign hand. Personal Takeaways for Today • When sickness strikes, remember Christ’s words: God’s glory is at stake, and He is never surprised. • Pray boldly for healing, yet rest in the assurance that God’s purposes are better than our timetables. • Trust that delays, treatments, and even setbacks are woven into a tapestry designed to exalt Jesus. • Let every hospital room, test result, or season of weakness become an altar where His glory can shine. John 11:4 invites us to see every illness through the lens of divine sovereignty: governed by God, aimed at His glory, and ultimately displaying the majesty of His Son. |
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