It is for God’s Glory

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

It is for God’s Glory

Date: May. 6, 2024

Passage

John 11:1-16 (ESV)

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it 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.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 11:4

But when Jesus heard it 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.”

When Lazarus fell into a deadly illness, his sisters informed Jesus that the one he loved was sick. Confident of His love for them, they expected that Jesus would come immediately. Jesus’ response to the news however was quite shocking. Jesus delayed going and instead waited two more days purposefully. He knew that Lazarus would die and that his sisters would suffer much pain and sorrow. Yet, he saw Lazarus’ death as an opportunity to glorify God and to help them and the disciples to believe in him as the Resurrection and the Life. Sometimes, God brings hardships in our lives, including the painful and sorrowful ones such as the death of loved ones. This, however, is always done with our soul’s good in mind, as trials refine our faith and secure our hope of the resurrection.

When Jesus decided to go to visit Lazarus in the tomb, the disciples were fearful because they had no light in their hearts. We must remember however that, as long as we follow Jesus (9:5), we will not stumble. As no one can change twelve hours of daylight that God set, no one can change our lifespan that is in God’s hand. Those who walk by day, therefore, will be confident and victorious in their service to God. Jesus saw death as a short time of sound sleep. In Jesus, there is no element of death.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you in my trials, as opportunities to glorify you and walk in your light.

One Word: God works sovereignly in our pain.

The Ark of God Brought to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:1-23

Key Verse: 6:2

Today's Question

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