John 11:1-6 – Loving Wisdom
There is so much we can get out of this passage that we are going to look at it again today. These verses teach us that Christ loves all who are true Christians. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are very different people. Elsewhere in the Bible we are told that Martha is a worrier and that Mary sits at Jesus’ feet to listen to Him. We’re told nothing about Lazarus. But all of them are loved by the Lord Jesus. They all belong to His family, and He loves them all. We must remember this when we look at other Christians. The grace of God does not make us all the same in personality. Yes, all God’s children repent, believe, obey, pray, love the Bible, but they can be very different people. We must not undervalue others because they aren’t like us.
Christ knows best at what time to do anything for His people. Jesus purposely delays His journey and does not come to Bethany till Lazarus has been four days in the grave. He knows what is going on, but He does not move till the time comes that He sees is best. We must fix this idea in our head. Nothing will help us more to bear patiently the trials of life than to be convinced that God’s timing and God’s ways are best. Try to believe not only that all that happens to you is not just for your good but is the best way it could have happened. We are all impatient in trouble. We forget that Christ is too wise a Physician to make mistakes. It is our job to say, “My times are in your hand. Do with me as You will, how You will, what You will, and when You will. Not my will but Yours be done.” Faith is being able to wait, sit still, and not complain. The hand that was nailed to the cross is too wise and loving to act without a reason or keep us waiting without a cause.
Questions
- How does Jesus feel about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus?
- What should we do when things don’t happen the way we think they should?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would trust in our Lord Jesus Christ in times of trial.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.