Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who
poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So, the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 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.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 

(John 11:1-6)

John 11:1-45

Jesus was a regular visitor to his friend Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, at their home. Martha was very hospitable to Jesus and the disciples, always ensuring they were well catered for. Mary, at one of Jesus’ last visits, anointed his feet with expensive perfumed oil. Jesus loved them, and they loved him. So, it was understandable that they would send an urgent message to Jesus when Lazarus fell ill. They probably hoped and prayed that Jesus would come to them immediately. Imagine how shocked the disciples must have been when Jesus stayed where he was two more days after receiving the urgent message.

We, too, send Jesus urgent messages in our prayers when we, or a loved one, are seriously ill, or when we have challenges or difficulties in our lives. And we, too, hope and pray that Jesus will tend to our urgent prayers immediately. But what if Jesus’ answer to us is also, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that the Son may be glorified through it.” 

What are we praying urgently for at the moment? Can we reflect on how our need could glorify God once we are led through whatever we are experiencing right now?

God of compassion,
help us to live prayerfully and trust that you will hear and answer us, in your time and to your glory.
Amen.
 

Reflections by Adri Sutherland

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