John 11:1-7 CSB
Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick. [3] So the sisters sent a message to him: "Lord, the one you love is sick." [4] When Jesus heard it, he said, "This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." [5] Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was. [7] Then after that, he said to the disciples, "Let's go to Judea again."
Romans 8:15 CSB
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"
Child of God
When we look at the world, often it is those who worship continually—the ones who get outside of themselves to help others—the ones who love God the most—who seem to suffer the most.
Onlookers might stare and ask, “What is the advantage of serving God?” Others might judge, suggesting there must be some hidden sin. Many are offended when they see a believer fall ill, become impoverished, or undergo tragedy. They ask, “Where is the love of God?”
We have the example of Lazarus. Lazarus was loved by our Lord. His sister Mary washed the Lord’s feet with her hair, yet Lazarus suffered. Was it because of some secret sin? No; it was because Lazarus was given a responsibility to serve the Lord and help others through his trial. His sickness and death were allowed so that the Father could be glorified through the Son.
There are special heroes in the Bible—those loved by God who are taken to the extreme, returning their love to the Father. These are trusted members of the Kingdom of Heaven who are given the responsibility to serve more. Lazarus suffered to glorify the Son of God so that others might believe.
In Ecclesiastes 3, we see that there is a time for everything. Nothing happens without the Father seeing; He knows when a sparrow has sung its last. Jesus waited two more days so that Lazarus’ death would glorify God to the utmost through the miracle He would perform. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were true, trusted friends of Jesus. All three would suffer, having been given the responsibility of allowing Jesus’ light to shine more brightly to bring lost souls into the faith.
When it was time for the miracle, Jesus and His disciples left again for Judea—the very place where the crowds wanted to kill Him.
We often pray for things. Some requests are born of selfish desires, while others are for the sake of others and the ability to serve our loving Father more. Many prayers seem to go unheard, but there is a season for all things. Answered prayer comes when it is meant to. We know that all things work for the good of those who love God.
In the midst of the wait, we can cry out, Abba (an Aramaic term for “Daddy” or “Papa”), Father! This word Abba is a term of the deepest intimacy. It is the cry of a child who knows they are safe in their father’s arms, even when the world is falling apart. It reminds us that we are not slaves living in fear of a master, but beloved children who have the ear of the King.
Reflection Questions
- How does the idea of being a “trusted member of the Kingdom” change your view of the trials you are currently facing?
- Jesus stayed two more days even after hearing his friend was sick. Have you ever felt like God was “lingering” while your situation got worse? How does this passage encourage you in the waiting?
- Knowing that Abba means a close, personal “Papa,” how does that change the way you talk to God when you are in pain?
Prayer
Father,
We thank You that we are Your children, adopted into Your family by the Spirit. Help us to trust You when the “two days” feel like an eternity. We thank You for the example of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, who were trusted with a great burden so that Your glory could be revealed. Whether in health or in sickness, let our lives be a platform for Your light to shine. We lay our concerns at Your feet, crying out “Abba, Father,” knowing You love us.
Amen.
