Why did Jesus decide to return to Judea despite the disciples' concerns? Setting the Scene: The Disciples’ Alarm • After nearly being stoned in Jerusalem (John 10:31), the disciples assume any return to Judea is a death sentence. • Yet Jesus says, “Let us go back to Judea” (John 11:7), stunning them. • Their fear is reasonable from a human standpoint, but Jesus is operating on divine timing. Jesus Knows the Father’s Timetable • John 11:9-10—“Are there not twelve hours of daylight? … anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble.” – Jesus lives by the Father-set “hours”; nothing can shorten or lengthen that schedule. • John 7:30; 8:20—enemies could not seize Him “because His hour had not yet come.” • He returns because the hour assigned for Lazarus’s resurrection—and eventually His own—has arrived. Glory Revealed through Lazarus • 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.” • By going back, Jesus will: – Display authority over death (John 11:38-44). – Trigger belief in many (John 11:45). – Ignite the final events leading to the Cross (John 11:53). • Without returning, the sign—and its ripple effect—would never happen. Love in Action • John 11:5—“Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.” • True love moves toward need, not away from danger. • Returning demonstrates that His care is practical, not sentimental; He meets His friends’ deepest need—victory over death. Teaching the Disciples Faith and Courage • John 11:14-15—“Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” • The journey becomes a living lesson: – Faith trusts God’s plan even when risk looms (compare Matthew 16:24-25). – Courage flows from knowing Christ governs every threat (Psalm 27:1). Foreshadowing the Cross • Returning to Judea accelerates the plot to kill Him (John 11:47-53). • Luke 9:51—“Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” He is always advancing toward the Cross. • By choosing to face danger for Lazarus, He previews His greater choice to face death for all (Romans 5:8). Takeaway for Today • God’s purposes outweigh human danger; His timing is perfect and unstoppable. • Jesus’ love moves Him toward our deepest need, not away from our mess. • Following Him means trusting that obedience, though costly, always serves a larger glory we may not yet see. |
    |