John 11:14

Jesus finds it necessary to speak plainly to his crew. “Lazarus is dead,” he explains.  John 11:14 EFP

I can’t imagine how the disciples feel when they hear these words emanate from the Master’s lips. The words fall heavily on the ground like a tree falling under the weight of its own mass. “We have spotted some spots on the MRI.” “I’m afraid we have to let you go.” “Ma’am, we regret to inform you…” These moments of realization cannot be softened with words. Often the attempt to do so only heightens the agony.

The realization finally hits the disciples, who perhaps have been eagerly looking forward to seeing Lazarus and his sisters. Now he is dead. Thoughts begin to swirl in their minds. When did he die? How are we going to explain our delay? Now what? Why did we not go when he was alive? What’s the point of going now? The mood is dark as they continue somber journey over the dusty path to Bethany. Uneasy silence.

What do you do when the unthinkable happens? What do you say when faced with an unexpected loss? Hide? Flee? Withdraw? The developing scene seems to imply you keep walking. You do not shy away from humanity at its worst. Jesus does not miss a beat. There is no vacillation mixed in with his steely resolve. The disciples are wondering, “What now?” Jesus already knows what he has been called to do. Oh, that I would share in that certainty and confidence that comes with a seamless and solid connection between Father and Son.

John 11:13

Of course, Jesus is not speaking about Lazarus sleeping, rather he is letting them know that his friend has already died. The disciples totally misunderstand his words.  John 11:13 EFP

Jesus had intended to let his disciples know that his friend Lazarus had already died. They understood that Lazarus was resting comfortably back in Bethany. From their perspective, this is good news! Boy are they wrong.

This day will become a seminal moment for all involved. First comes the bad news. Lazarus is sick. “Let’s go!” they say. No. They stand pat. Time passes. “Let’s go to Bethany,” Jesus says. Finally! “Lazarus is sleeping,” Jesus adds. Great news! He must be getting better. Ebb and flow. Confusing day, but now it seems to be panning out. They have misread Jesus every step of the way. They stay when they should go. They go when it seems too late. Bad news. Good news.

The disciples are about to learn that good news is not always wrapped in the garb of great expectations, it is often veiled in tragedy and trial. Often the greatest disappointments are but a gateway to unimaginable triumphs. The darkest moments often usher in the most glorious mornings. God has ways that we cannot fathom. But he is always good. It’s who He is.

John 11:12

Jesus’ disciples answer, “Lord, we should let him sleep. It will do him some good.”  John 11:12 EFP

That makes sense. Of course. It’s obvious. Lazarus is sick. Jesus somehow knows Lazarus is sleeping. That’s good. After all, when a person is sick, he or she needs rest. “Let the man sleep,” they tell Jesus. And they move on.

And yet, they are so far off the mark. The plane on which Jesus operates is foreign to his disciples as of yet. He is far away down the road from where they are. He is trying to teach them a concept they need to grasp, and they are stuck on a term.

What I take from this verse is that often times God makes statements that I just don’t get. I am spiritually obtuse and dense more often than I would like to admit. But God speaks, most often through the pages of His Word. How many times I have read a particular passage and overlooked a timeless truth. I move along. I read and it registers, but not with the power the passage possesses. Then one day it hits me like a ton of bricks. God speaks. He does not give up on me. I must learn not to limit God’s words to what makes sense to me. There is often so much more he is trying to tell me, if I only am willing to listen and let it sink in.