When Jesus Doesn’t Do What We Expect

Do you remember the story of Lazarus in John 11? What first comes to mind?

The whole thing is quite the scene. The fireworks, of course, is the fact that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We also read that Jesus wept, that he was deeply moved, that he loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, and everyone knew it. He was their friend.  The dialogue, the miracle, the reactions — it’s a pivotal story in John’s Gospel, setting in motion the Jewish leaders’ plot to kill Jesus. 

But do you remember how the story starts?

John 11:1–6,

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 

Would you read verses 5–6 again?

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 

Not What We’d Expect

Last week I was talking with Doug and Linda Linder and John 11 came up. Linda commented how unusual it is that verse 6 follows verse 5. She said it’s just not what we’d expect, and she’s right. I mulled the verses over more, and slowed down on the grammar. 

Notice what John is saying …

Jesus loved Martha and her sister [that’s Mary] and Lazarus. SO …

That “so” in English is a fine translation of the little Greek preposition οὖν — which is other times translated “therefore.” It marks an inference. It’s a conclusion stated as a reality based upon a previous condition or reason. In this case, what we read after “so” is going to tell us what Jesus did because he loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

And what we read after is that Jesus did nothing. Or at least it seemed that way. He stayed where he was, and Lazarus died. Track with how this goes:

1. Lazarus was sick;

2. Jesus loved him;

3. therefore when Jesus found out Lazarus was sick he stayed where he was.

Wait — what?

See, it’s not what we would expect. 

Because of His Love

We could come up with a hundred better things that #3 above might be …

• Therefore Jesus rushed to Lazarus’s side to help

• Therefore Jesus recommended a new diet that helped this other guy

• Therefore Jesus rallied together the best doctors he could find

• Therefore Jesus spoke one word and Lazarus was well …

Really, he could have done anything and it would have been better than staying where he was, right? But he didn’t. Jesus didn’t do what we’d expect — even when it’s because of his love.

Isn’t that interesting? Think about your own life for a minute, and especially the hard things you’ve experienced (are experiencing). Read verses 5–6 again, and try inserting your name and situation:

Now Jesus loved [your name]. So, when he heard that [your situation], he [didn’t do what you’d expect]. 

He didn’t answer your prayer. He didn’t swoop in to help. He didn’t provide what you asked for. At least not yet. And he didn’t do it because he loves you.

Because he has a greater purpose you’ve yet to experience, but will. “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).