Death and Glory (John 11:4)

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."

When confronted with the report on the health of his friend Lazarus, Jesus makes two comments. First, his sickness will not prove fatal in the long run. He will die, but he will come back to life. Second, Lazarus’ final outcome will be to the glory of God. Taking it all together, we see that his illness, a manifestation of the fall, will not have the final say. Jesus will.

Jesus sees this illness as a platform to work another sign to bring glory to God. How can this story apply to us? John Stott writes, “We can offer our trials to God for him either to remove or retain as he pleases, thereby bringing glory to his name and deepening our faith, and possibly that of others too. Joni Eareckson Tada, a paraplegic sufferer, authentically expresses this . . . ‘I do not care if I am confined to this wheelchair provided from it I can bring glory to God.’” Jesus will use the illness of Lazarus to bring glory to God.

Where has God brought glory to himself in your life? Give him thanks today for doing that.