Read John 11:1-57.

When life gets hard and God seems silent, we are quick to question His love. Doubt creeps in. Disappointment runs deep. But Scripture reminds us that, even in dark times, God is working in our lives for our good (see Romans 8:28). To strengthen our faith and confront our doubts, Jesus gives us a profound display of His power and compassion in the seventh sign in John’s gospel—one of the most emotionally charged moments in His earthly ministry.

In John 11, Jesus’ good friend Lazarus was severely ill. While his sisters, Mary and Martha, didn’t outright ask Jesus to come down to Bethany, they hoped He would come immediately to heal their brother. But Jesus stayed put right where He was for two whole days. Why would Jesus delay? Didn’t He love Lazarus? Didn’t He care for Mary and Martha? Weren’t His good friends a priority to Him? In fact, it’s because Jesus loved them that He delayed His visit. That’s what the Scripture says: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (John 11:5-6, emphasis added).

Jesus’ delay in coming to Lazarus was intentional—and it was loving. Although Mary and Martha must have been distraught, Jesus waited those two extra days to reveal a deeper Truth. By the time Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. However, Jesus arrived at the perfect time to reveal His glory, to show that God’s divine, eternal plans come before our immediate wishes.

When Jesus told the disciples they were going back to Bethany—the very place where religious leaders were plotting His death—fear gripped their hearts. Thomas was sure they would all die with Lazarus (see v. 16). But Jesus was clear: Real danger comes not from walking into hostile territory but from walking outside God’s will (see vv. 9-10).

After arriving in Bethany, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. In doing so, He showed His complete authority over public enemy number one: death. You see, God has appointed a time for each of us, and nothing and no one can shorten or lengthen our days. Our times are in His loving hands. God truly has the final word—Jesus revealed this in the resurrection of Lazarus, in His own resurrection, and in the promise of our own resurrection to come. So we can trust God and “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Prayer: Father, when I am tempted to despair over my circumstances, lift my eyes to Your love revealed in Christ. Remind me that Your eternal plans are for my ultimate good—that I am safe in the center of Your will. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“So then [Jesus] told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him’” (John 11:14-15).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Evidence of the Exclusivity of Jesus: Death to Life: LISTEN NOW

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