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. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of his book John shared how, “Jesus spoke of his death” where we read:
Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
The verse reads, “Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death:” John began with the words, “Howbeit Jesus” which means “however, nonetheless the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “spoke of his death” or “uttered and declared about Lazarus' separation of the soul from the physical body”. John shared how Jesus was actually referring to the fact that Lazarus was “dead”.
The verse continues, “but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.” John added the word, “but they thought” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Jesus' disciples were of the opinion, supposed and determined” “that he had spoken” or “that Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” “of taking of rest in sleep” which means “about reposing, lying down and reclining in calm, quiet and sleeping”. John shared how Jesus' disciples supposed that Jesus was speaking about Lazarus being in a state of repose and rest.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the disciples of Jesus did not understand that Jesus meant Lazarus was dead because they determined that Lazarus was “resting in repose”. This is the difference between “people's” view of a circumstance, and God's. Jesus was God come in the flesh (See John 1:14), and He knew the exact state of Lazarus. Jesus knew what He was going to do. His disciples did not. This is often the case with people who have a limited view of a situation, and they do not know God's eternal purpose for things that occur. God loves every person, and He knows what situations are going on in their lives. Those who surrender to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, be granted everlasting life and enjoy a personal relationship of trust with Him even when all the facts are not known.
Next time John shares how Jesus told His disciples, “Lazarus is dead”, 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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