Chapter 3: The Wait

The messenger found Jesus in Perea and delivered the message. Jesus heard it and responded:

JESUS“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”— John 11:4

Jesus was saying this would not end in permanent death. It would end in something that made God's power visible and unmistakable. Then Jesus stayed in Perea two more days.

In Bethany, no one could see what Jesus could see. Lazarus died and was buried. In Jewish custom, burial happened quickly, often the same day, because of the heat. The body was wrapped in linen cloths, placed in a tomb, and sealed behind a stone.

By the time Jesus began moving toward Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Four days removed any doubt. No one could claim Lazarus had simply been unconscious or that the family had buried him too soon.

MARTHA“It has been four days. He still has not come.”