Doing Well If He's Sleeping - John 11:12

The apostle John wrote after Jesus heard about Lazarus being sick, He “abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples said unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone you; and are you going there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him These things said he: and after that he said unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep”, and in chapter eleven and verse twelve of his book John shared how Jesus' disciples said, “ Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well” where we rea

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well.

The verse reads, “Then said his disciples, ...” John began with the words, “Then said” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed” “his disciples” or “Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” the following words. John shared how Jesus' “disciples” proclaimed the next words.

The verse goes on to say, “... Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well.” John continued with the word, “Lord” which means “One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; and the title given to God the Messiah”, “if he sleeps” or “whether Lazarus is calm, quiet and sleeping”, “he shall do well” which means “Lazarus will be kept sound, safe, made well, will be healed and restored to health”. John shared how Jesus' disciples referred to Him as “Lord” as they told Him if “Lazarus” was “sleeping”, it would serve to make him well again.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' disciples were only thinking about the physical “health” of Lazarus, and as far as they knew, if Lazarus was “sleeping”, he would be restored to health. Jesus will make them aware of “Lazarus'” real condition in our next verse, but for now, let us realize Jesus knows the “whole” picture and many times people are only aware of some of the truth. God has a plan of salvation through His Son Jesus that is offered to every person who surrenders their life to Him, and those who are wise will realize God is all-knowing, and He knows exactly what needs to be done in both the spiritual and physical world of people. Let all who read these words submit to Him.

Next time John shares how, “Jesus spoke of his death”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".