Who Is He? Who Are We?નમૂનો

In John 11, we see one of the greatest miracles that Jesus performed during HIs lifetime: raising Lazarus from the dead. Though this remains a beautiful testimony to the power of Christ, His actions and His words throughout this chapter reveal even deeper truths about His character and His heart.

1. His timing has purpose:

After He had learned of Lazarus’ illness, Jesus delayed his departure to Bethany to see Lazarus for two days. During this delay, Lazarus had died. Because of this, Mary and Martha undoubtedly felt a multitude of immense emotions, such as confusion, grief, and sorrow. Why would Jesus, someone capable of healing their brother, wait to be by his side? This tested their faith. As they lamented, they told Jesus, “If you had been here, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.” (v. 21) However, Jesus knew the outcome of this circumstance and performed His miracle with certainty and specificity to bring glory to God.

We may not understand why there are delays in the promises we have received from God or the prayers for miracles in our lives. What we can be sure of is that a testing of our faith does not mean a denial of Christ’s love. The Lord uses our struggles and delayed answers to bring about a greater glory and reverence for Him. In faith, we can trust in His timing with full assurance that His plan for our circumstances has purpose.

2. He firmly states that He is the resurrection and the life

Jesus responds to the laments of Martha with this remarkable verse, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if her dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (v. 25-26) Even though Lazarus had died physically, Jesus reminds Martha that eternal life belongs to all who believe in Him. This statement is not only connected to the miracle He was about to perform, but reveals who Christ is eternally.

Jesus is our source and restorer of life. This verse is not only symbolic of the miracle He was about to perform but also represents who Christ is and always will be. In receiving Christ, because of His sacrifice for our sins, our old selves have died, and we are gifted new life.

3. He empathises and grieves with those around Him

Before raising Lazarus, Jesus is deeply grieved by not only this loss but also the sorrow and pain of Mary and Martha. Himself, full of compassion, wept alongside them as He shared in their grief.

Jesus understands and empathises with our pain, our suffering, and any emotions that we may be feeling. He is capable of this because of His divine humanity and loving kindness. Not only has He experienced these difficulties, but He took on the weight of sin of the world for us. Whenever we are suffering, we can be assured that in this pain, the Lord is right there with us. He sees us, He understands us, He loves us, and He feels with us. His heart is moved by our pain, and He wants to be there in the healing.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for who You are and Your divine presence in our lives. Thank You for the new life that we have in You and that we are able to have a relationship with You. Help us to continue to trust in Your timing. Allow us to feel Your presence amidst the difficulties that we face, and may we walk confidently in knowing that You are in control.