John 11:4-7 “But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. 7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
As I read this text I realized that Jesus had waited until Lazarus was physically dead before He went to Mary and Martha. There were several things that Jesus wanted to demonstrate through Lazarus.
1. Jesus fully understood that the raising of Lazarus would prophetically point to the things to come and that this would be a demonstration of God’s resurrection power. John 11:14-15 So then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus is dead, 15And for your sake I am glad that I was not there; it will help you to believe (to trust and rely on Me).
2. Jesus also wanted to point to the type of living that was truly important. John 11:25-26 “Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 25Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; 26And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?”
3. Jesus wanted us to know that we can experience His glory if we would only trust and believe. John 11:40 “Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?”
My Beloved child, death must come for new life to resurrect in you and your situation. “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains [just one grain; it never becomes more but lives] by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.” (John 12:24). I have had to let many things die in you and around you so that resurrection life can be found in you. You are a new creation and all things are being made new; but your newness of life cannot be fully realized unless death takes place first. This is My way and has all been for My glory. You must be fully satisfied that I am being fully glorified in you. Although you seek after and desire the new life you have also resented the death process. But in Me, a seed that dies will be raised to life again because it is planted in the soil of My Spirit. This must take place so that My power in you can be displayed in a dying and unbelieving world. Your confession of faith must be; I will live and not die and declare the glory of my God. You have often questioned the height and depth of My love for you because of what you consider to be a delay. My child, there are no delays in Me. Delay suggest lateness but I never do anything before its appointed time. And at the appointed time that which will live eternally shall be resurrected in you and for you. You must continue to follow Me, cleaving steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in your living and also in your dying for you must continue to submit to the dying of your flesh and to the things of this world. Beloved your trial will not end in death but will result in a rich and satisfying life both in the earth and eternally, says the Lord.
John 12:24-26 "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. 26"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
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