In this sub-session, some specific thoughts on this powerful passage (Jn 11:1-44).
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz'arus. So when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go into Judea again."
The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?"
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." - Jn 1:9-10
When we are enlightened by light of Christ, we need not fear anything the world may to to us. Jesus taught his disciples by example that sometimes what we fear comes to pass, but the result is always greater than what we fear it will be. This is a good thing for me to remember in the middle of the night when Grace seems far from me. At least I was led to ask Jesus to illumine my darkness, to be present to me, even if I struggled to believe that indeed he was.
Then Jesus told them plainly, "Laz'arus is dead; and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." - Jn 1:14-15
This is often how God answers prayer. Our faith is more important to God than any other need we think we have, even the life of our most beloved. In this case, Jesus knew he was being sent to raise his beloved friend, but it is not always so. The answer to so many seemingly unanswered prayers is so that you may believe - not in some miracle, nor in God because he has performed some miracle (though he may use these to bolster us), but beyond miracles. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. - Jn 20:29
More later?
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