When Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ house after his death, Martha mentions that if Jesus had been there, Lazarus never would have died. Then Mary mentions it. Then the people at large mention it. So it is mentioned three times.
But Jesus did allow Lazarus to die. Why? Jesus says Himself, “This illness is not unto death; it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it.” (Jn 11:4) Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that he could raise Him from the dead and show the glory of God.
When we become ill, or lose someone close to us, or don’t get the job we wanted, we generally ask God “Why?” We are like Martha and Mary and the people at large, who say, “If you had only been here…” But Jesus allows these setbacks and sufferings so that his glory can be manifested.
And his glory is manifested when a person loses something very dear to him, like his wife or his health, yet continues to praise God. God’s glory is manifest in people like Job, who lose it all, yet remain faithful to the Lord. People like Job make the fundamental assertion that “God is good,” even when all evidence seems to be stacked against His goodness.
God loves faithfulness, and it is faithfulness that allows a person to remain with God through the difficulties. Difficulties make our faithfulness strong, and the more faithful we become, the more like God we become, and the more His glory is made manifest in us.
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