I Am Glad For Your Sake! [John 11:11-22]

This is what Jesus said when talking with the disciples about the death of Lazarus, his friend. He was glad he wasn’t there.         John 11:11-22

What an interesting statement that he was glad he wasn’t there for their sake. Of course Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead right. Ok but it would have been easier to heal him before he died. Yes it would have. But now it is going to bring more glory to the Father and also prove something else. The truth that Jesus has power over death which is the last enemy. Ok so that is awesome because our God doesn’t mess around. He is glorious and does impossible things.

He proves and shows us through all that Jesus did how great our God really is. He raises our faith as we see what He actually can do in lives. Now let’s consider this a little further. I heard this statement made by a speaker from Brazil, Ed Rocha, that really sparked my thinking about this story. What he said basically was this: Jesus wasn’t there when Lazarus died but God was since God is omnipresent! And Jesus said it was good that he, Jesus, was not there when he died!!

What an awesome earth shattering idea. Just follow me for a minute here on this thought. God is everywhere but the dead aren’t being raised and sick aren’t being healed everywhere. God was there but Jesus wasn’t! And Lazarus wasn’t going to be healed or raised from the dead unless Jesus showed up. Now that is a lot to think about. Isn’t it?

So could it be that Jesus was teaching (as he did with everything that he did) the disciples about the authority that Jesus had from heaven which is the same authority that is on all believers? This was an example or pattern for us to follow as well. Jesus was showing the disciples that God chooses to work through His children if we will just have faith and stand in the authority He has given us. This means the dead can be raised today if Jesus shows up!!?? And doesn’t He abide and live in us today?? Maybe we need to begin to understand just who we are walking around on the earth. Sons and daughters of God invested with authority from heaven to destroy the works of the enemy!!

Ok now that is quite a lot to think about. I will tell you that I have a brand new appreciation for this story in John 11. I am seeing more than every before why Jesus said it was good that he wasn’t there. Think about all the people around us and even around the world for that matter who are in need of someone that carries Jesus to come into their presence and bring good news of life to their broken condition. You are Jesus to people. Of course you are not God. Don’t get caught up in that game of semantics. Jesus lives in us and he uses us to lay hands on the sick, to preach the good news, to set prisoners free, etc. He has commissioned us to carry on the work(s) that He did on earth until He returns. Let’s get busy!!