Raising Lazarus from the Dead – John 11:1-57

Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?

Lazarus is dead… and Jesus was too late to save him.  At least, that’s what the onlookers are suggesting.  And in this quote, they reveal their own lack of faith–possibly even suggesting that they don’t believe Jesus really did heal the blind man!  After all, if Jesus had healed the blind man, surely he could have kept Lazarus from dying.

It doesn’t even occur to them that Jesus might bring Lazarus back to life. They are expressing their disappointment that Jesus hadn’t healed Lazarus, oblivious to the fact that Jesus has something even greater in store.  They are are still wishing for a relatively minor miracle, completely unaware that they are on the verge of a major miracle.

Often when God doesn’t answer our prayer the way we want, it’s because He has something even better in mind.  We may not immediately understand what that is… or how it is better.  In fact, we may never understand it this side of the grave.  But if we truly submit our requests to “Thy will be done,” then we can trust that God will do what is best.

When our prayers seem to go unanswered, or we don’t get the answer we like… do we get angry and lose faith?  Or do we keep our eyes open for the ways that God’s glory will be revealed?