Deliberate Delay

Deliberate Delay

John 11:1, 3-6, NIV

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. . . . 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4When 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.” 5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

Setting the Scene

John 11 opens with an individual named Lazarus who was sick. We learn Lazarus is from Bethany and that he has two sisters (Mary and Martha). Luke has already introduced Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), creating the impression that Jesus was a frequent guest in their home. Now the sisters send word to Jesus that “the one you love is sick.”

Jesus treated family units in ways that allowed them to learn significant spiritual lessons about themselves and about him. He treated them as individuals, but he also spoke into their relationships with one another—most notably with Mary and Martha in handling Martha’s complaint that her sister was not playing the part of hostess (Luke 10:38-41). Jesus recognized the needs presented to him, but he also saw underlying needs that were even more important. Even though we might consider keeping someone from dying as the highest priority for action, Jesus clearly made decisions based on his authority even over life and death. This is apparent in his actions related to the sisters’ urgent message that their brother was sick.

Jesus declared that the events about to unfold were not about dying but about the glory of God. Since it is likely that Lazarus was already dead by the time the messenger found Jesus, it seems ironic that Jesus could say, “This sickness will not end in death.” Lazarus did die, so what was Jesus saying? Jesus rejected the understanding that “death” and “end” were synonymous, even in casual conversation. He knew better. Death for Lazarus would come, but it wouldn’t be the end of the story. Jesus would make sure of that.

John heightened the tension for his readers by pointing out that Jesus “loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,” but he remained where he was for “two more days.” By mentioning both aspects of Jesus’ actions, John shows that Jesus’ response did not alter his love for these three siblings. This deliberate delay is directly connected with the purpose of this event: “for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Words related to the Greek expression doxa are used for “glory” and “glorified,” a term we also use directly in doxology—meaning “words of praise or glory to God.” Jesus could see that what would happen in the lives of his friends would bring a heightened awareness (glory) to others about God. This incident demonstrates how both delightful and difficult times can point others to God. God’s glory can be described as anything that makes God more difficult to ignore. The more we are exposed to the truth, divinity, and power of God’s character, the more we find our attention drawn to him; and the more we become aware of God’s glory.

Getting Personal

How do you tend to respond when you ask God for help and he seems to delay?

In what ways are you most aware of God’s love for you?

We see three values at work in this incident with Lazarus: what God does about our needs in the short term, what God does regarding his plans, and what God does for us in the long term. We tend to expect God to act based on our immediate needs, but he repeatedly teaches us that he has a much larger picture in mind.

Talking to God

Praise God that his plans and his means are always greater and better than your own. Ask him to help you trust him in confusing circumstances and long periods of waiting. Ask him to show you his glory, even in your derailed expectations.