A Strange Response to a Call for Help

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

Imagine being a disciple who followed Jesus back then. The disciples often found themselves puzzled by the Lord’s words. I can relate. Can you?

Jesus’ response to this call for help from the sisters of Lazarus must have been one of those puzzling times.

Jesus already knew what was going to happen, but, of course, the disciples didn’t. Jesus tells them. Twice. But they couldn’t comprehend it.

What will happen becomes a turning point in the life and ministry of Jesus. For the disciples, it was part of the learning curve about faith. Their faith in Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God would be strengthened.

In a small way, I can relate to Jesus’ training of the disciples. I say in a small way, because equipping and teaching others is a lifelong process. Just as it was for those who walked with Jesus. Of course, their learning curve was much steeper than mine.

I see parallels to parenting in the way Jesus discipled His closest followers. He knew what was ahead, but they did not. He understood the importance of them struggling in their process of learning.

Genuine faith is greater than a set of beliefs. It’s a relational trust in God (Heb 11:6). Genuine faith develops over time and experience and is grounded in the truth of God.

Scripture

Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived, was sick. (Mary was the woman who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was the one who was sick.) So the sisters sent a messenger to tell Jesus, “Lord, your close friend is sick.”

When Jesus heard the message, he said, “His sickness won’t result in death. Instead, this sickness will bring glory to God so that the Son of God will receive glory through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. Yet, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days. [vss 1-6]

Then, after the two days, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, not long ago the Jews wanted to stone you to death. Do you really want to go back there?”

Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day don’t stumble, because they see the light of this world. However, those who walk at night stumble because they have no light in themselves.” [vss 7-10]

After Jesus said this, he told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, and I’m going to Bethany to wake him.” His disciples said to him, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he’ll get well.” Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, but the disciples thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was only sleeping.

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, but I’m glad that I wasn’t there so that you can grow in faith. Let’s go to Lazarus.” Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, “Let’s go so that we, too, can die with Jesus.” [vss 11-16]

(John 11:1-16 GW)

Key phrase—

“Lazarus has died, but I’m glad that I wasn’t there so that you can grow in faith.”

Digging Deeper...

Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions

• Who was sick and who sent for Jesus to come help?

• What does Jesus say to the disciples about His sick friend?

• How did Jesus respond to this call for help from those He loved?

• How long did Jesus wait before He went to see His sick friend?

• What did Jesus say to the disciples about His reason for going when He did?

Reflection...

The unfolding of the Gospel story reveals how Jesus trained His disciples. Jesus didn’t use formal means of training but more experiential and situational ways.

Jesus often spoke with somewhat cryptic messages. He spoke of spiritual truths indirectly, sometimes covertly (Matt 13:11-13). Instead of giving them information, Jesus wanted His disciples to think. He wanted His disciples to discern what was going on so they understood in a deeper way.

As we read all the stories compiled in the Gospels, we also need to observe what takes place, as well as what Jesus says. God wants all those who are followers of Jesus to have and use spiritual discernment.

John only tells of seven miracles as illustrative signs of the full ministry of Jesus, the Son of God. In John’s Gospel, the simplicity of each story seems contrasted to deeper truths about Jesus and His redemptive ministry.

At first, Jesus tells the disciples Lazarus sleeping, though He knew His friend had died. When the disciples took what Jesus said in a strictly literal sense, He spoke more directly. Jesus prepared them for a miraculous sign.

When Jesus spoke of twelve hours of daylight, it was in a spiritual sense. This links back to the healing of the man born blind who was healed (in John 9). We need to take a step back to observe and understand why Jesus seems to respond in a strange, unexpected way to the sister’s call for help.

Taking it to heart...

Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions

• How long does Jesus wait before He returns to the region of Judea?

• How do the disciples respond to the Lord’s decision to return, including Thomas?

• How can we know Jesus is speaking about something deeper than literal daylight in verses 9-10?

• What do the disciples say when Jesus tells them He’s going to wake up Lazarus?

• How does Jesus respond to them and clarify what He means?

• Are you able to discern the two levels of speech and meaning of Jesus in this story and in other places?

Personalize it...

Meditate On This— God wants all those who are followers of Jesus to have and use spiritual discernment. Genuine faith is greater than a set of beliefs. It’s a relational trust in God (Heb 11:6). Genuine faith develops over time and experience and is grounded in the truth of God.

Prayer Focus— When you find yourself wondering what Jesus means when He speaks to the disciples, ask the Lord for insight and understanding. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual discernment to all true followers of Jesus when we ask in genuine faith.

©2021—Word-Strong