In John 9:1-11, Jesus and His discipled came upon a man born blind; thus, the disciples wanted to know if his blindness was caused by his or his parent’s sin, but Jesus told them his blindness was for God’s works to be revealed in him (so Jesus could heal him for God’s glory and honor), but the man’s neighbors, friends, and the Pharisees disdained Jesus’ actions, since it was done on a Sabbath; likewise, we do not “spiritually see God’s healing for glories and honor”; thus, we simply accept “disabilities” and live with them, not realizing “day and night prayer” can change everything, so God receives glory. Honor, and the faith He looks for Luke 18:1-8 and John 16:21-26, are still in the Bible, still God’s factual promises, and God still honors His word.
Jesus, in John 11, waited two full days after Mary and Martha sent Him a message their brother Lazarus was very sick, because Jesus told His disciples “This sickness is not unto death” (verse 4), or “This sickness otherwise would not cause death”; however, God had preplanned for Lazarus to die, so Jesus, “Resurrection Life” (verse 25-26), could be revealed as more than simply “the Healer and Health”, yet none of those at Lazarus’s grave “saw it this way”.
But closely examine Jesus’ statements in John 11:33, of what Jesus did when He saw Mary crying in confused trust, 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
How amazingly awesome “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled”, which is what Romans 8:26 says, and Jesus again in John 11:38 says, 38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
How amazingly awesome “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself”, which agrees with 1 John 5:7, which says the Father, Son (Word), and Holy Spirit are One; thus, when Jesus groaned in the Spirit and in Himself, He was interceding, or “Mediating” with Death for Lazarus’ resurrection, the exact same way Romans 8:26-28 explains it.
Jesus, as “the Humble Son of Man”, did not “step out of character” to resurrect Lazarus, but “in agreement with Scripture”, did, said, and received what every Christian can do, say, and receive, by believing God’s word and putting our faith and trust in the God whose world we believe.
Likewise, every detail of life, good or bad, is predesigned by God to motivate Christians to believe His word, trust Him to fulfill His word, and give Him praise, thanks, and worship, regardless of what He does, how He does, when He does or does not, for He still loves us and expects His children to love and trust Him to know what is best for us—hard, yes, but essential.
Tim, Kim, and Jim Nabors
