Jesus Dawdles at the News of Lazarus’ Illness

This meditation is based on a passage for September 8, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 11:1-16

Reflection and Question: Jesus’ miraculous raising of Lazarus is described only in the Gospel of John and is the last of the great signs of Jesus’ special place as the Son of God. In fact, the beginning of the story here suggests that Jesus engineered the uniqueness of the miracle by waiting two days before setting out to Bethany where Lazarus and his sisters lived. Perhaps it would have been a simple healing, rather than the dramatic raising of a man from the dead, if Jesus has set out right away upon receiving the news of Lazarus’ illness. How do you respond to Jesus’ delay here?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, our Brother, You loved Lazarus, Mary and Martha and yet You delayed going to them to heighten the power of this final sign. Set our priorities as well, that we may do God’s will as You did, regardless of the cost. Amen.