Though Sick Jesus Abides Two Days - John 11:6

John the apostle wrote how, “a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus”, and in chapter eleven and verse six of his book John shared, “when he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two day still” where we read:

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

The verse reads, “When he had heard therefore that he was sick, …” John began with the words, “when he had heard therefore” which means “at the time and moment Jesus was endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceived, noticed and discerned wherefore and on the account” “that he was sick” or “that Lazarus was weak, ill, lacked strength and was feeble”, He responded in the following way. John shared at the time Jesus “heard” Lazarus was “very ill”, He took the next action.

The verse goes on to say, “... he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” John continued with the words, “he abode two days still” which means “Jesus remained and stayed for two sunrises to sunsets longer” “in the same place where he was” or “within the place and location He was when they told Him Lazarus was sick”. John shared how Jesus “remained” where He was for two more days after He “heard” that “Lazarus” was “sick”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus delayed responding to “Mary and Martha's” requests for Him to come. This gives us insight into the “delays” of God when we desire for Him to give us aid. Jesus knew the situation and the urgency of Lazarus' illness was not a mystery to Him. God loves people, and He cares for them. He demonstrated this by sending His only begotten Son Jesus to the world to die for their sins so they may have a personal relationship with Him. Those who examine Jesus' actions and delays while on the earth will come to understand the God of the universe has the answer for any problem they incur, and those who are wise will surrender their life to Him regardless of His timing to respond.

Next time John shares how Jesus says, “Let us go into Judaea again”, 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".