John 12:20-36
Years ago there was a song that went, "The most important person in the whole wide world is you...". The song was taught to children in an attempt to impart self-esteem. Teaching a child that they are valuable is a noble pursuit, children are a precious blessing and should be reminded of their worth.
However, the idea that each of us is "the most important person in the world" causes some problems. If we are each "the most important", our rights will get in the way of our relationships. Viewing ourselves in this way means we should always be given what we want, in spite of the needs of others, and so you can see how this attitude could result in behavior that is self-centered.
Selfishness is the cause of much heartache in the world. Children are abandoned by parents that don't want to be tied down to the responsibility of raising them. Husbands and wives are split apart when they refuse to see themselves as a team and instead demand that each have his or her own way in everything. Friends, community, etc. are all effected by an "every man for himself" mentality.
Jesus spoke a radical truth in this Scripture. "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Jesus told the people that, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34) Following Jesus means denying self, that our self-love will look like self-hate when compared to our Christ-love. Christ left no doubt - selfishness doesn't have a place in the lives of His followers.
Self denial , or self-discipline, could then be considered a virtue. The writings of most world religions would confirm that those adhering to the practices of that religion need to deny self in order to please their deity. Now, those of us who have made New Year's resolutions, or tried to stick to a diet will attest to the fact that self-discipline is no easy task! It can help tremendously if someone comes along side and encourages you.
Herein lies the difference when following Christ. We, His followers, are called to deny self, but we are not attempting to do it alone. His Holy Spirit, that He promised would come and dwell in those who believe in Him, encourages us. "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13) So our selfishness dies when we choose to live by the Spirit. Jesus taught that we should, "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind mind with all your strength", and, "...Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29)
Loving God with all, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is self-less love. God demonstrated self-less love toward all of us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
If you are not the world's "most important person", who are you? Where does your self-esteem come from? In knowing this: God loves you, values you, and you hold a unique place in His Kingdom. You , "are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) The Creator of the Universe has a plan for you - sounds to me like you are a pretty important person after all!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Hosanna - What Does It Mean to You?
John 12:12-19
Also-Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44
When police investigate a crime they gather all the witnesses they find and listen to their testimony. The more witnesses, the better chance the police have in piecing together the events of the crime.
Our passage of Scripture in John, is also referenced in each of the other Gospels. By reading all of the accounts you will have a better understanding of the event we know as the "Triumphal Entry of Christ". The story is consistent, but each writer has a different perspective; when viewed together it becomes complete.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many of the Jews began to believe in Him. They shared the testimony of what they had witnessed with the Jewish community. It wasn't surprising that a great multitude gathered at the Passover Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 when He rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation. Lowly and riding on a donkey. A colt, the foal of a donkey." If you have read the accounts in the other Gospels you will see that this prophecy was fulfilled, even to the type of donkey! Interestingly, this is the only time recorded in Jesus' life on earth that He rides on an animal, so this wasn't a common practice that could easily be explained as a coincidence!
The crowds laid down clothing and palm branches along the way, shouting "Hosanna", "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David", "Hosanna to the Son of David", and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord"! Hosanna means "save now". The same "save now" that we find in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord I pray, send now prosperity." The people had witnessed, or heard the eyewitness accounts of Jesus great miracles - the most recent being a resurrection from the dead. They knew He could provide them with food, heal the sick, lame, blind, cast out demons, and He had power over death. What a great political leader He would have been! What a great King! They compared Him to the great King David who had led the nation to a golden era of prosperity. Yes, Jesus would've been the very best King the world had ever seen - and will be when He returns. But that time, He came with another purpose in His heart... to follow God's will and become the sacrifice for the sins of all.
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem seared the Pharisee's heart with hate. When they declared, "The world has gone after Him!", they were worried about their positions and the retaliation of the Roman government.
So, we are at the place again where we need to look at our own hearts. Do the acts of Christ stir up anger and hatred in your heart, perhaps because you worry about the effect it would have on what you value most in life - a position, a following, your world view?
Or, are you willing to follow for what you might get out of it? Prosperity, or maybe a miracle? When the first trial comes along, that kind of follower quickly abandons Christ.
Perhaps, you are one who looks at Christ and realizes that your "Hosanna", your cry of , "save now" is for your life to be changed by the sacrifice He made on the cross. That salvation is for eternity.
Also-Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44
When police investigate a crime they gather all the witnesses they find and listen to their testimony. The more witnesses, the better chance the police have in piecing together the events of the crime.
Our passage of Scripture in John, is also referenced in each of the other Gospels. By reading all of the accounts you will have a better understanding of the event we know as the "Triumphal Entry of Christ". The story is consistent, but each writer has a different perspective; when viewed together it becomes complete.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many of the Jews began to believe in Him. They shared the testimony of what they had witnessed with the Jewish community. It wasn't surprising that a great multitude gathered at the Passover Feast when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 when He rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation. Lowly and riding on a donkey. A colt, the foal of a donkey." If you have read the accounts in the other Gospels you will see that this prophecy was fulfilled, even to the type of donkey! Interestingly, this is the only time recorded in Jesus' life on earth that He rides on an animal, so this wasn't a common practice that could easily be explained as a coincidence!
The crowds laid down clothing and palm branches along the way, shouting "Hosanna", "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David", "Hosanna to the Son of David", and "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord"! Hosanna means "save now". The same "save now" that we find in Psalm 118:25, "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord I pray, send now prosperity." The people had witnessed, or heard the eyewitness accounts of Jesus great miracles - the most recent being a resurrection from the dead. They knew He could provide them with food, heal the sick, lame, blind, cast out demons, and He had power over death. What a great political leader He would have been! What a great King! They compared Him to the great King David who had led the nation to a golden era of prosperity. Yes, Jesus would've been the very best King the world had ever seen - and will be when He returns. But that time, He came with another purpose in His heart... to follow God's will and become the sacrifice for the sins of all.
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem seared the Pharisee's heart with hate. When they declared, "The world has gone after Him!", they were worried about their positions and the retaliation of the Roman government.
So, we are at the place again where we need to look at our own hearts. Do the acts of Christ stir up anger and hatred in your heart, perhaps because you worry about the effect it would have on what you value most in life - a position, a following, your world view?
Or, are you willing to follow for what you might get out of it? Prosperity, or maybe a miracle? When the first trial comes along, that kind of follower quickly abandons Christ.
Perhaps, you are one who looks at Christ and realizes that your "Hosanna", your cry of , "save now" is for your life to be changed by the sacrifice He made on the cross. That salvation is for eternity.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
At Dinner With Friends
John 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus was sitting at a table in Bethany, in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. The same Lazarus that died, and was resurrected by Jesus. "...a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead." (John 12:9) Because of this resurrection many Jews were putting their faith in Jesus, and so the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus also.
The man recently back from the dead sat at the table with Jesus, his sister Martha served supper, and Mary sat at Jesus' feet...
A precious bottle of imported spikenard oil in hand, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. The spikenard was worth about a year's wages to a day laborer, quite costly, and so special it was used to anoint the head of kings. The extravagant gesture wasn't missed by Judas Iscariot. He condemned her actions; pouring a year's wages on someone's feet was wasteful, the poor would've benefited greatly from the sum.The same poor would've also benefited from the coins Judas stole from the money bag!
I don't know the motivation in Mary's heart as she sat at Jesus' feet that day. Was she giving her all, anointing Him as her King, serving Him in the best way she knew how? Jesus told Judas to leave her alone, her actions spoke of His upcoming burial. Mary was commended through the ages for her generous act.
Mary's act is thought provoking...
Is everything I value poured out at Jesus' feet, for His use?
Or am I holding on tightly, thinking I know what's best...
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
It's All In How You Respond
John 11:45-57
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead many believed in Him. Their excited testimony of Jesus' miracle, and their own belief in Him as Messiah would've washed over the community, making waves, as it was told, and retold.
But another group was also there that day, and this group went straight to the Pharisees and shared the story. The Pharisees hated Jesus, and were waiting for an appropriate time to kill him.
One miracle, two very different responses.
The Pharisees and chief priests called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "From that day on they plotted to take His (Jesus') life" (John 11:53). In their reasoning Jesus had to die, otherwise they were going to lose, "both our place and our nation", because the Romans wouldn't tolerate the people's belief in Christ!
How often have we predicted the future in the same way! These men were no more privy to what would happen than we are, yet we fret and strive to control the outcome of things that are beyond our realm of power. They couldn't say for sure that the Romans would take away their political power if the people believed in Christ, but out of fear they decided Christ would have to die to preserve the nation.
In situations that cause us to fear we also have a choice of response.
We can become angry, decide to lash out at the thing that brings fear, and use whatever means we have available to bring it under our control.
Or...we can follow God's instruction, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:7a, 8)
And then there is the response we make with greatest consequences of all.
Our response to what Christ has done for us.
, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." ( 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)
There are many who embrace the free gift of salvation that comes when they believe in Him, taking to heart the words in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus knew others would choose to reject Him. In John 3:36 He addressed them, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Another miracle, your response can mean life...or death.
After Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead many believed in Him. Their excited testimony of Jesus' miracle, and their own belief in Him as Messiah would've washed over the community, making waves, as it was told, and retold.
But another group was also there that day, and this group went straight to the Pharisees and shared the story. The Pharisees hated Jesus, and were waiting for an appropriate time to kill him.
One miracle, two very different responses.
The Pharisees and chief priests called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "From that day on they plotted to take His (Jesus') life" (John 11:53). In their reasoning Jesus had to die, otherwise they were going to lose, "both our place and our nation", because the Romans wouldn't tolerate the people's belief in Christ!
How often have we predicted the future in the same way! These men were no more privy to what would happen than we are, yet we fret and strive to control the outcome of things that are beyond our realm of power. They couldn't say for sure that the Romans would take away their political power if the people believed in Christ, but out of fear they decided Christ would have to die to preserve the nation.
In situations that cause us to fear we also have a choice of response.
We can become angry, decide to lash out at the thing that brings fear, and use whatever means we have available to bring it under our control.
Or...we can follow God's instruction, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret - it only causes harm." (Psalm 37:7a, 8)
And then there is the response we make with greatest consequences of all.
Our response to what Christ has done for us.
, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." ( 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4)
There are many who embrace the free gift of salvation that comes when they believe in Him, taking to heart the words in Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Jesus knew others would choose to reject Him. In John 3:36 He addressed them, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Another miracle, your response can mean life...or death.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Very Slow Journey...Through John!
Joshua 1
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
I'm hijacking Journey Through John today and taking it to the book of Joshua.
Trust me, I have a reason...
Sunday morning in Bible study, Doug - our teacher, taught from the first chapter of Joshua. Moses, the prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt, had passed away and Joshua became the new leader. In this first chapter God gives the new leader the same instruction over and again, "...Be strong and of good courage..." Strength and courage would be needed in bushels full with the task Joshua had ahead of him - he would lead the Israelites in to the land of Canaan to claim it as the inheritance from God that it was, and is. A covenant with the patriarch Abraham established this land as their own (see 1Chronicles 16:13-18).
Doug went on to point out that this, "...strong and of good courage...", could also be translated as, "be resolute and persevere". Resolve that you will do what God has called you to do, then keep doing it until He calls you to something else, or lets you know it's finished. Now, it's hard for me to relate to leading a massive group of people into the Promised Land - but resolving to do what God has called me to do and persevering at it, well that is convicting...
And takes us back to Journey Through John.
Way back in October when God led me to start this blog in response to Pastor Tony's message, I thought, "No big deal, I'll be done with John in 4-6 weeks at the most." Now it's June, and the blog is written through John 11:45. Eight months, and only a smidgen over halfway through! Resolution and perseverance...? Hmmm...
Can you relate to this? Is there something in your life that God has called you to, and you are overwhelmed in trying to start it, complete it, persevere at it? Trust me, I understand the tidal waves that can roll over your life and knock you right back to where you've started! It's hard to keep going, and easy to give up in despair that you will ever accomplish God's will, unless you read the rest of the instructions...
"...do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b)
We aren't alone when we follow God's will, God Himself is with us, wherever the journey of His will takes us. Dismay and fear are pushed aside, they can't stand in God's presence!
God's will is taking me on a Journey Through John... I know, I know it's a very slow journey - but thanks for going with me!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Our Trial for His Glory
John 11:7-43
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Jesus allowed Lazarus to die. When He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, and in the picturesque words of his sister, Martha, "...by this time there is a bad odor."
As Jesus approached Bethany Martha had left her home to meet Him. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." was her greeting for Him. Straightforward, to the point- the blame is yours Jesus! "But", she adds, "I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask."
Martha's brother is dead and she is grieving. One stage of grief has been identified as anger. Anger at ourselves for not being able to do more to prevent the death, anger at the person who died for leaving, anger towards others we blame for not saving our loved one...
Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she responds that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Words of hope, all was not lost, she would see him again one day. He tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." And then He asks her, "Do you believe this?" Martha responds, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." A life that goes on eternally even when our body ceases to function, our great hope that goes beyond the passing of life on earth. Jesus gives us the comfort found in this hope when we believe in Him.
Lazarus was Jesus's friend, He wept over his death. He shares the deep grief we feel in the loss of a loved one, He understood Martha's grief, and ours.
Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb, prays, then calls in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" Bound in grave clothes Lazarus comes out of the tomb - alive! After witnessing this miracle, many came to faith in Christ.
Martha's sadness and grief were turned to joy. Her brother was alive!
Lazarus' sickness did not, "end in death. No, it is for God's glory, so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:4) The crowd gathered in Mary and Martha's home to mourn Lazarus had the opportunity to see Jesus' miracle and believe in Him. God was glorified!
God's plan is beyond our understanding. What looks like grief to us may be part of His plan to bring others to faith in Him. When Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to prison for hiding Jews during WWII they faced great suffering, and for Betsy, death. Yet because they were in that prison and shared God's Word, many came to hear about Jesus, and believed in Him. How God could be glorified in a concentration camp is beyond our understanding, yet from this great bad came great good.
And so... rather than getting angry at God...perhaps we should ask that He use our trial for His glory...
Friday, April 20, 2012
Jesus Waits Two Days
John 11: 1-6
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
We may be living in an age of great medical advancements, however, most of us have heard the words, "I'm sorry, there is nothing else we can do for them", spoken by a doctor regarding someone we love. These words can fill us with despair; if the doctor is helpless against the disease, we are even more so.
This is where we find Mary and Martha, the two sisters of Lazarus. Concern fills their hearts, Lazarus is very ill. It doesn't mention a doctor's visit, hospital stay, or aggressive testing. Most of what we know about healing the sick didn't exist at the time of Jesus. So it isn't hard to understand why people followed Jesus to ask for a healing touch - for themselves and their loved ones.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus knew that Jesus had the power to heal. When Lazarus is ill, it is natural that the sisters would send a message to Jesus, "Lord the one you love is sick."
I've always found what happens next somewhat troubling. If you love someone who is sick, and you have the power to heal them - wouldn't you drop everything and rush to their side? Jesus doesn't do that, instead He stays where He is for two more days. Troubling, until I remember Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
The higher purpose in this case is God being glorified through Lazarus' sickness.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus; they know He loves them. Because He loves them He stays where He is for two more days.
Which makes me wonder - when we are praying desperately for Jesus to heal someone we love, and it looks like He doesn't hear us, isn't answering - is staying away, could it be because He has a higher purpose for that illness to serve?
What comfort to know that our great God, "...has gracious intentions even in seeming delays." (Matthew Henry)
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