Daily Word Of God
John 11:3-7, 17, 20, 21-26
The sisters, Mary and Martha, sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death, but it is for God’s glory so that through it the Son of God may be glorified.’ Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that he was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judaea.’
On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died, but even now I know that God will grant whatever you ask of him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said, I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- It seems perplexing to know that Jesus did not leave immediately to care for His sick “best” friend. Rather, he stayed back for two more days, during which time Lazarus died.
- Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death, but will bring glory to God through the Son of God. This would be much more joyous and spiritually enriching than to cure Lazarus of his sickness.
- The highest motivation for love is not based on feelings or affections, but rather on an honest and intelligent decision on what is best for the one I love. This is how God acts, and quite often we forget His Ways.