4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” 11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

After Jesus received the message from John about Lazarus condition Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Then He stayed in that country for two more days. He was on a different timetable than they were, because He had a different purpose than the world.  His purpose was twofold, first to glorify God in all things.  Jesus’ special purpose on earth was to glorify His Father in heaven.  He obeyed His Father's will. Are we committed to that?  It is not important that we Christians are comfortable, but that we glorify God in all we do.  As we seek to fulfill that purpose in our lives, we will find blessing.

Secondly, God's plan was to reveal in a greater way Jesus' identity. What better evidence that someone is God than to raise someone who had been dead for four days?  There was no doubt what Jesus was attempting to do.  He had them remove the stone so that everyone could see the lifeless body rise to life and we also see in v. 41,42 that Jesus' public prayer was designed to testify to His divine commission. “41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Through this public statement Jesus declared: 1) that He was one with God and not a Son of Satan (as was an accusation). 2) That He was always heard by the Father because their wills were one.  There is no doubt who Jesus is claiming to be - the Messiah, God in human form.

If Jesus is seen as God, then life is more meaningful. Our life is not vain and empty because Jesus has shown us that there is life eternal. Life is not all for nothing, there is a goal, there is a purpose, there will be justice. We are not a cosmic accident, but creatures intentionally created by God. How do we know?  Because Jesus said so.

When Jesus announced it is time to go, the disciples were confused. They thought He was staying away from Judea because the Jews were out to kill Him, but Jesus had in mind ministry that his friends, his disciples, and others would come to faith. Jesus asks them, "Are there not 12 hours in the day?"  If a man chooses to serve God, then that man's day will not end before God wishes it to end.  There is time enough to do whatever God has for him to do. There is enough time to do the work which God has given us to do.  Use your time well.

They also know they walk and work while the sun is up when they can see and not stumble, but Jesus is teaching them more than the obvious. There is a time to work in God's kingdom, and when the night comes, that work is ended.  Get your life right with God while you have time, for the time is coming when it is too late and night is here.  The great truth of the gospel is that God so loved the world, but the fact is also true that the love of God may be refused or ignored, the time will be missed, and it will be too late.  Friend, do not put off making the spiritual commitment to God. You need to make today.

I think of Thomas’ response of going to die because he was convinced the Jews were going to kill Jesus. It was suicide to go back to the area of Bethany because it was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Thomas was positive they were going to die with Jesus, but he was committed to Jesus even to die.

Application:   What’s your commitment?

Prayer:  Lord, may I never waver in mu commitment to Your kingdom work.   Direct my steps each day to make my days count for Your Kingdom Glory.   

Dale