Articles
“Love Simple and Profound”
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus”
John 11:5
The love of Jesus can be known and, yet, it surpasses knowledge. His love is limitless in its dimensions and requires Spirit-wrought strength to comprehend in its fullness (Eph. 3:14-19). The story of Lazarus’ resurrection illustrates this simple, profound, and often challenging love of Jesus.
In the story, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was ill. Upon receiving the news, Jesus declared, “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.” (Jn. 11:1-4). These words prime us for another miracle. Jesus had done amazing things before to demonstrate his identity, or reveal his “glory” (Jn. 2:11).
We expect Jesus to leave immediately for Bethany to heal Lazarus, but instead, “when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was” (Jn. 11:6). Even more strange, Jesus seemed to speak in riddles to his disciples. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to wake him” (Jn. 11:11). But if he were asleep, wouldn’t he be able to wake up on his own? Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (Jn. 11:12-15). How could he be glad that his friend died? If he was glad, why, when he arrived at the tomb, did he openly weep for him (Jn. 11:33-35)? He then told them to remove the stone from the tomb even though, by that point, Lazarus had been dead for four days, long enough for the body to begin to decay (Jn. 11:38-39). Both sisters gave voice to their grief and confusion by repeating the same statement, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn. 11:21, 32). The mourners also raised the question, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (Jn. 11:37)
Though Jesus’ words at the beginning of the story prepare us for something big (Jn. 11:4), the people suffering at the funeral in Bethany were confused. They didn’t see how it could turn out “for the glory of God.” In their minds, death was the end. Even the power of Jesus, they thought, was limited. If Jesus had really loved them, wouldn’t he have rushed over to spare them this grief? And yet, John insists at the very beginning, Jesus did love them (Jn. 11:5). Jesus’ love can be seen at three different points in the story.
The love of Jesus waits — Look back at Jn. 11:5-6. Jesus loved them, “So (or “therefore”) he stayed two days longer…” Somehow, it was because Jesus loved them that he waited until Lazarus died. Jesus’ waiting while we suffer is somehow compatible with his love.
The love of Jesus weeps — “Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”” (Jn. 11:35-36) Even though he knew how the story would end, he shared in their grief because he loved them.
The love of Jesus raises the dead — Finally, Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” (Jn. 11:43) This too is love. Jesus doesn’t just wait and he doesn’t just weep with us. He acts to reveal God’s glory. One day, all who hear his voice will rise from the dead!
Do you believe this? — “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26). Jesus asked Martha this while her brother’s body lie in the tomb, knowing that if Jesus had been there, he could have prevented his death. What about us? When we suffer in this life knowing that Jesus could have prevented it, do we still trust in him? Jesus loves us. He shows his love for us by weeping and waiting with us. One day, his waiting will be over. God’s glory will be revealed. His love will be triumphant. He will right every wrong, wipe away every tear, and raise the dead. Do you believe it?
Adapted from The Confusing and Perfect Love of Jesus, by Joe Rigney @ desiringGod.org
