I just read John 11 and was so reminded how divine my Savior is but how skewed my perspective can get of Him sometimes. John 11 is about the death of Lazarus and how Jesus raises him from the dead (what…amazing..). I just sat reading this and was so overcome with how much Jesus desires our good..He desires to be glorified in us because that IS our ultimate good.
In my tiny head (before I read then end of the story), I’m like..”Jesus loves Lazarus, so why didn’t He save him? Why didn’t He heal him before he died?” That’s what everyone else was thinking too:
“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'” (11:21)
“Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she feel at his feel saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'” (11:32)
“So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’…’Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?'” (11:36-37)
So why didn’t He heal Lazarus? Why didn’t He come in time? Did Jesus not hear their prayers? Was He unaware?
No. Jesus knows. He cares. When He heard about it at the beginning of the story He said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (11:4)
Just one chapter before, He is talking about how He came that we may have life and have it abundantly. ABUNDANTLY. That we would have the greatest life we could ever ask for. All of the effort put into having the greatest life..the life I think I should have..the coolest life…the most Instagram-worthy life..is such a waste. Comparing my life to other people’s is tiresome. Seeking satisfaction in comparison is a game I will never win. I see pride or insecurity as the outcome, and I don’t want either of those things for myself – I want to choose to lift my head higher than myself. To look up. I am not called to invest in things of this world.. I am called to take my seat on the throne of His kingdom. I deserve none of it. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to receive things from Him – to receive peace in every situation. Sometimes I would rather worry. To receive love from the creator of love. Sometimes I would rather be lonely. To receive joy in the tough stuff. Sometimes I would rather be discontent. Why? Because I feel unworthy or that I didn’t earn it? Newsflash. I didn’t earn it. I just get to play with all of the gifts that my Lord gives me. Sounds like a pretty freakin amazing life to me.
Everything I encounter is for my good…for His glory. Is Lazarus not a perfect example of that? Jesus LOVED Him. He wept for Him. Lazarus died. If that is where we end the story, then it’s easy to question God’s goodness or His plans. But the story isn’t over. Keep reading. Why do things happen to us? I don’t know. But keep reading. We might not get answers immediately. But we already know the end of the story…Jesus. He’s coming back to party with us forever and ever…like yep…everything in between is just an added bonus.
Praises to the author of each of our stories. He cares about the details.
Happy Thursday.
