Page 10 - March 2023 - Truth & Tidings

“ ur friend Lazarus sleepeth; but Does He even care? With their prayers
I go, that I may awake him out
clouded by the “if only’s” of grief and their
Oof sleep” (Joh 11:11). While this minds full of uncertainty, they couldn’t
1
phrase may have confused His disciples, consider the greater goal. But what pur-
the Lord Jesus is patiently priming their pose could there be in such pain and loss?
minds for what He is about to teach them. The answer is found in the Lord’s words
He plans to instruct them in sympathy before He ever moves toward the eastern
as they witness His compassion for the slope of Mt. Olivet.
sisters at Bethany. They will be educated When first told of Lazarus’ sickness, the
about future events when He discusses Lord said this was “for the glory of God,
resurrection with Martha; furthermore, that the Son of God might be glorified
their faith will be strengthened when their thereby” (v4). But there was also a pur-
dead friend is raised to life. Most impor- pose here that was to be very personal and
tantly, though, as with the events sur- practical. When He said, “I am glad” (v15),
rounding every other “I AM” statement, it was not only the potential for displaying
this journey to Judea will highlight specific God’s power that He was rejoicing in but
virtues of the Lord Jesus and demonstrate “for your sakes.” Effectively, this event
His Messianic claims. was permitted for the glory of God and the
In these articles, we aim to be taught development of their faith. This is empha-
in the same school. Following Him from sized in the words “that ye might believe.”
Bethabara to Lazarus’ tomb, we will ap- Those standing by would see the mighty
2
preciate the character of our High Priest works and believe, bringing glory to God,
as He weeps with them that weep. Lis- and those who were already believers
tening to His conversations, we will note would be strengthened in their faith and
the value of resurrection to the grieving drawn closer to Him (vv15,42,45).
and, through a survey of the Scriptures, Witnessing a true Shepherd caring for
we will learn the order and significance His sheep, we see two keys to understand-
of resurrection, never forgetting that the ing the basis of Christian consolation.
emphasis is not just on life from the dead First, there is the compassion displayed
but on the preeminence of the Life Giver. in the personal contact between the Com-
Martha and Mary were convinced that forter and the comforted; we will call this
their brother would not have died if the “Consoling Tenderness.” Then, under the
Lord had been there (vv21,32). We picture title of “Comforting Teaching,” we will
the two at the bedside of their terminally learn the importance of sound doctrine
ill sibling. Helpless and fearful, no doubt as a ballast in life’s storms.
they wondered, Does the Lord know? Consoling Tenderness
¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the
KJV. While the Lord Jesus did not become
² cf. Joh 10:40; 1:28 our Great High Priest until after His

74 TRUTH kTidings March 2023