“The Delay” | The Gospel of John

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”” (John 11:1–4, ESV)

Deliverance From Sickness

Deliverance Through Sickness

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (John 11:5–6, ESV)

Sometimes Love Requires A Delay

“Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles,
because the light is not in him.”” (John 11:7–10, ESV)

“After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you
may believe. But let us go to him.” (John 11:11–15, ESV)

“What is death at most? It is a journey for a season; a sleep longer than usual! So that if you fear death, you should also fear sleep!” – John Chrysostom

What Happens To You Isn’t Always About You

“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”” (John 11:16, ESV)