Why Did Jesus Wait to Raise Lazarus? (John 11) | Daily Devotional & Bible Study

Today we walk through the story of Lazarus in John 11 and the hard question of why Jesus waited. We see Him weep with Mary and Martha, call Lazarus out of the grave, and declare that He is the resurrection and the life. If you are waiting on God right now, this episode will help you trust His timing and believe He is still at work.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,'" (John 11:25)

Questions this episode answers

Why did Jesus wait two days before going to Lazarus?

Jesus said the sickness was for the glory of God so that the Son of God would be glorified (John 11:4). His delay was not a lack of love, since the text says He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. God's timing often looks slow to us but serves a bigger purpose.

Why did Jesus weep if He knew He would raise Lazarus?

Jesus wept because He truly felt the grief of His friends (John 11:35). It shows that He enters into our sorrow with compassion. Knowing the ending does not make the pain unimportant to Him.

What does it mean that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

It means Jesus has power over death, both now and in eternity. Those who believe in Him will live even if they die. His life also brings hope and new beginnings into our everyday struggles.

Timestamps

00:00 Waiting on God: The Struggle of Faith

08:15 The Story of Lazarus: Understanding God's Timing

19:25 Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life

24:26 Unwrapping Grave Clothes: Our Role in Miracles

Links

If the hope of resurrection moves you, Bible Study Live in Rome takes a small group of women to the catacombs, where early Christians laid their loved ones to rest believing Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

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