John 11:4 (NIV) When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

John 11 tells the story of the death of Lazarus. Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, were close personal friends of Jesus. They recognized who he was; they believed in him; they loved him and he loved them. When Lazarus got sick, Martha sent someone to tell Jesus. When Jesus heard of the news he knew what was going to happen. Yet it had to happen. Jesus was going to remain where he was and Lazarus was going to die and God’s glory would be revealed through it all.

When Jesus finally made into Bethany, the Bible tells us that Lazarus had been dead and in the tomb for four days. Someone told Martha that Jesus was on his way and she ran out to meet him. “Jesus, if you had only been here! Lazarus would still be alive!” She knew that Jesus had the power to heal her brother and wanted to know why Jesus didn’t come right away when he found out that Lazarus was ill. But look how Jesus responds. “Your brother will rise again.” (v23) Martha thought that Jesus was talking about rising again on resurrection day. But Jesus continued “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Jesus asks the question “Martha, do you believe this?” Her response without hesitation came “Yes, Lord.”

Have you ever been in the middle of your circumstances and asked “where are you Lord, why aren’t you here?” This exchange between Martha and Jesus is comforting to me because Jesus knew what was happening. He had the situation in his sight, fully aware the entire time. He shared in their pain and then he brought glory to the Father by bringing life out of death.

Jesus does bring healing from the pain. He brings life… but not just life on this earth. He brings eternal life for those who put their trust and faith in him.