John the apostle wrote how Jesus asked, “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. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead”, and in chapter eleven and verse fourteen of his book John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there” where we read:
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe;
nevertheless let us go unto him.
The verse reads, “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe;” John began with Jesus' words, “and I am glad” which means “and I, Jesus, rejoice exceedingly” “for your sakes” or “on behalf of your, Jesus' disciples', cause” “that I was not there” which means “that I, Jesus, was not with Lazarus”, “to the intent” or “in order that” “that you may believe” which means “that you, disciples of Jesus, might trust in, rely upon, cling to and have confidence” in Jesus. John shared how Jesus told His disciples that He “rejoiced exceedingly” that He was not with “Lazarus” because He desired for His disciples to “trust in and rely upon” Him.
The verse goes on to say, “nevertheless let us go unto him.” John continued with the words, “nevertheless let us go” whose name means “however, nonetheless and moreover allow and permit us, Jesus and His disciples, to depart, leave and go forth” “unto him” or “to Lazarus”. John shared how Jesus told His disciples that He and they should “depart” to where “Lazarus” was located.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was actually “glad” that He was not with “Lazarus” when He was sick and died. Jesus knew what He would do for “Lazarus”, and His work in “Lazarus” would be an inspiration to His disciples to “believe” in Him. God desires for all people to believe and trust in His Son Jesus, and when they examine the works of Jesus, they shall realize He is the Messiah, Christ and Son of God. The next step is to “believe and trust” in Him.
Next time John shares, “then said Thomas … let us also go, that we may die with him”, 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".
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