In John chapter 11, we read the well known story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The Lord learns that Lazarus is ill. He waits before he departs. By the time He arrive, Lazarus has been in his tomb for a total of four days. After dealing with the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the Lord makes His way to the tomb. He commands those men who are present to roll the stone away from the tomb. Once the entrance is unsealed, Jesus cries out, “Lazarus, come forth.” It is one of the great miracles of the New Testament. It also shows us the great purpose of this same miracle.
Jesus states the purpose for the illness and death of Lazarus very plainly in verse 4. John 11:4 “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” This miracle had purpose – that God may be glorified. Every time Go9d works in your life and my life, it is with a purpose, that God may be glorified.
Wait. There is more to this purpose than glorifying God. Yes, giving God the glory is definitely an important purpose, but there is still more that Jesus seeks to accomplish with this one major miracle. John 11:15 “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” He wants people to believe in Him. That has not changed today either. Romans 10:9 and 10 are still true. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus puts it together for Martha in John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”
Believe and glorify God. Shouldn’t we seek the same purpose in our lives. Let’s simply believe God is still that same miracle working Saviour. Let’s look at what He does for us in our lives. Let’s give Him the glory that He deserves.