GOOD NEWS FROM ST. JOHN
Meditations in the Gospel of St. John
St. John 11:1-6
* * * * *

THIS chapter follows on from the previous one in that it gives a powerful demonstration and evidence of the deity of Jesus. In the previous chapter the Jews were saying Jesus was blaspheming because he claimed to be the Son of God. In the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Jesus gives irrefutable and well witnessed proof that he was and is our God. There is no doubt from the history as it is told by John in the whole incidence of the sickness, death and raising of Lazarus, that Jesus was acting by a predetermined plan. However, although the witness to his deity was for all to behold, Jesus had the faith of his disciples very much to the forefront in this incident and in his actions (v.15).

These first six verses set the scene and they are instructive for every Christian. Let us observe the lessons which are set before us here.

The first and obvious one is the fact of the sickness of Lazarus. Sickness is part of life here on earth. Few go through life without some sickness, and some have more than most. Christians are not exempt from this trouble. Sickness is part of our fallen existence. Sickness came into the world through Adam’s sin, and the human race, and indeed the rest of creation, has suffered the problem of sickness ever since. This does not mean that any particular sickness we may suffer is the consequence of some particular sin or sins, but just that sickness, and indeed death, came into the world through sin entering the world. Of course there are some sickness that comes upon human beings as a direct consequence of sin, but this is not generally the case.

We learn also that Christians are not exempt from this human problem and suffering. Lazarus was someone, with his two sisters, who was particularly loved by Jesus. Just because we are Christians and under the care and protection of God, our heavenly Father, this does not mean that we are exempt from sickness. It is plain in this history that Lazarus was sick for a very definite purpose of God. In this case the purpose was for the blessing of the disciples, and all who would read this record in John’s Gospel down the ages. Jesus was giving testimony and witness concerning himself so we may believe on him. No doubt this purpose was also for Lazarus and his sisters. Further sickness invariably has spiritual benefits. When we are sick we know our human frailty, and we are driven by it to put our trust in Jesus more. We turn to prayer more earnestly, and learn to place our hope in Christ in a way that is deeper than it was before. When we have good health our spiritual lives may become sick because we neglect the things of God. Sickness brings us back to God, so God may use sickness for our spiritual good.

We learn also in these verses the great remedy in all sickness and human trials. The remedy is prayer. Prayer does not exclude other actions like going to see the doctor, and taking the medicine prescribed, and so on. Medical knowledge is a gift and blessing from God which God has given in love for our good. But having said this it is prayer that is the greatest help, for by prayer we particularly place ourselves and those for whom we pray into the hands of God, who can do all things.

But let us notice the excellence of the prayer of the sisters of Lazarus. It was a simple prayer “Lord, the one you love is sick”. This prayer in no way seeks to suggest to Jesus what he should do, nor is there any expression of human desire as to the outcome. It is a prayer where Lazarus was brought to the attention of Jesus, with the reminder that he was one whom Jesus loved. Here is a prayer of real faith and trust. It is a prayer where there is the trust to leave everything in the hands of Jesus, with faith to believe that he knows best and that in his love he will do that best for Lazarus. There is no doubt as to what the sisters hoped Jesus would do, because they showed this later in the narrative by their complaint that Jesus did not come at once and heal Lazarus, but even though they had this desire in their hearts, they still simply gave the need for Lazarus into the hands of Jesus, and trusted him for what was best.

This is the real prayer of the children of God. This is not to say that it is wrong to ask for specific things we hope God will give us, but even then there must be this submission to the will of God, and the trust and confidence that God knows what is best, and that we do not. Blessed are the Christians who can pray like this and leave their anxiety with the Lord. Such spirituality may be rare, but we should strive after it. This is faith that truly honours God as God.

Let us notice lastly that all that happens to us is according to a good plan that God has for us. This is plain from verses 4-6. The sickness that Lazarus had to suffer was according to a plan of God. It was not because Lazarus was at fault in any way, but because God was using him for his eternal purpose of love for the world. Every believer is in the hands of God in this way. We are safe in God’s plan, and nothing can harm us until that work of God is complete. Then we will be taken by Jesus to the place in heaven he has prepared for us. Here the purpose was so that Jesus could demonstrate and give undeniable proof of his deity, and to tell us that he is the one who truly can and does give life, and eternal life, to those who believe on him.

Further let us notice that everything in the lives of Christians is for one ultimate purpose, and that is to bring glory to God. We have been created, and redeemed, to show forth the glory of the King of Kings. Our purpose in life is to glorify God. This sickness of Lazarus, therefore, was for God’s glory, and that Jesus may be glorified through it. In this history we see the glory of Jesus. We see the glory of his power, his wisdom, his deity, his love. We see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Let us behold the glory of Jesus as we continue to meditate on this chapter in the Sundays to come.