In the following article you will find a brief commentary on John 11 that goes along with our Riverside Church Two Year Bible Reading Plan (Volume 1 & Volume 2). This plan will allow you to read the New Testament and Psalms once every year and the Old Testament once every two years.
Delay
The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead is the climax of the signs that Jesus performed. Jesus is greater than death. The repeated promises of eternal life for all who believe in him are now vividly experienced in this supernatural wonder.
But for the family of Lazarus the events could not have been easy. In fact, from his sisters we hear a repeated emphasis of regret, had only Jesus been there before Lazarus had died so much of this could have been avoided. But Jesus delay was deliberate. It is clear from the entire account that the timing of the miracle is according to God’s plan. God works in a way contrary to our inclinations, but always brings greater glory to himself and greater revelation to us, which in the end results in much more joy for all who trust in him.
Learning to embrace God’s timing is crucial to the experience of our joy in him, and it is also evidence of increasing spiritual maturity.
