Thus Jesus did not actually resurrect her. Jesus’ statement that the girl was not dead but asleep could have given the Sadducees opportunity to say that even Jesus admitted Himself that the girl was only asleep and had never actually died. The Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection especially had something at stake in the miracle Jesus performed for this little girl. However the Sadducees and Pharisees both loved to twist the words of Jesus. Of course Jesus calls death sleep, since the dead person is going to be resurrected. Remember when Jesus healed the little girl in Mark 5:21-43? He said the girl was not dead but only asleep. Had Jesus forsaken Lazarus and his sisters by seeming so distant? Not at all! It was all part of a magnificent plan that would bring glory to God with a happy ending for all. It allowed people to understand that Lazarus was really dead and that Jesus had the power to resurrect him.

How so? Well, it was important for Jesus to let him actually die and then not show up to the home till four days afterwards.

So Jesus allows Lazarus to get sick and die so it would glorify God. After all, by giving my life to Jesus I am only giving what I was not going to be able to keep anyways. He can also let me get sick and die if that will glorify his name. He can promote me if that will glorify His name. He can take me and do with me as He pleases in 2021. This new year I rededicated my life to Jesus and told Him I was totally surrendered to Him. The preacher said many say they have enough faith to be healed, but do we have enough faith not to be healed? What if more people became converted through our death than our life? What if our sickness glorified God more than our health? This new year I realized God does not need me to make goals and plans. This reminds me of a sermon I heard on Hebrews 11:35-38 which mentions people who were killed for their faith. Are you willing to get sick and even face death if it will give God glory? Why? John 11:4 tells us that it was allowed so that God would be glorified. Still, Jesus allowed one of his best friends to get sick and die. Dear friend, if you have recently laid a loved one to rest, be assured that is not how the story ends.

The good news for all of us is that even though Lazarus dies that is not how the story ends! Lazarus is resurrected.

Lazarus death