John 11

Today’s reading is John 11.
Get out your journal or Bible to mark some observations:
+ Note Jesus’ response to his friend being deathly sick.
+ Note Jesus’ response to his friends weeping.
I still remember the day my wife called to let me know my soon to be father-in-law wasn’t going to make it much longer. He was in the late stages of cancer, but we didn’t think this day would come so soon. Like anyone would, I rushed to Minnesota as fast as I could to see him and spend time with my family. In John 11 Jesus receives similar news, except his response is quite different.
In verse 6 we read that when Jesus heard the news about his friend Lazarus not doing well, he waited two more days to go see him. John specifically puts this in here for us to see how Jesus chose to wait instead of immediately going to see his sick friend. Why? Why would Jesus wait? Why did Jesus seemingly let his friend die when he could have prevented it? Why did Jesus let his friends grieve their loss for as long as they did before bringing Lazarus back to life?
For whatever reason, in this story, and sometimes in our lives, we are left with unanswered questions. We don’t know the answer to all those questions about why Jesus did what he did, but we do know this - Jesus performed this miracle so that people would believe (verse 15). Jesus was revealing himself to be the true Savior and Deliverer, not just a savior and deliverer that is temporary like Moses was. Even though Moses was a temporary deliverer, he was still pointing to the true Deliverer.
So what does this mean for us? It means that next time something in your life doesn’t add up, or you feel like you are waiting in silence, or perhaps you feel like God just flat out forgot about you - feel free to ask the hard questions. Press into him and ask away about your situation. But don’t forget to ask this question amidst your other questions – “why would God send his one and only Son, the sinless Savior of the world, to die on a cross for me?" When we answer this question, we begin to renew our hope in Christ. We also renew our faith in him amidst our pain, struggle and silence we may feel. So look to Christ, ask your tough questions, and trust in him, as he is the true Deliverer.
Just for today-

+ What areas of your life do you struggle to trust God with?
+ How can you renew your faith and hope in Christ today?
Jay Quick | Student Ministries Director

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