John 11:7-16
After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
There is a reason why the Lord Jesus purposely delayed two days before going to see Lazarus. It says here that he did this for the sake of the disciples, so that the disciples may know in advance that the Lord has the power of resurrection and would believe that he is the Lord of the resurrection and is the Christ. Even though the disciples followed Jesus, yet their hearts are still filled with many doubts. They were not able to completely believe the words that the Lord said. Or perhaps it is because they did not have the Holy Spirit to open up their minds, so they were always not understanding what Jesus was saying.
Many of the things that Jesus said have a spiritual meaning, but the disciples often listen to his words from a rational viewpoint. That's why Thomas has this kind of response, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." He did not know that Jesus can raise Lazarus from the dead. So when he hears Jesus say that Lazarus is dead and that they will go to him, the rational Thomas could not figure this out. "How can we go to him? Where is Jesus referring to? Is it to die with Lazarus?" Not only do they not know what Jesus is going to do, but they also do not believe that the Lord can raise people from the dead.
This is why the Lord Jesus Christ delayed two days to wait until after Lazarus had died to raise him from the dead. This is also to prove to the disciples that he is the Christ, the Messiah and Savior. Of course, this is also to prepare the disciples' hearts in advance for his resurrection later. Despite all this, Thomas is still full of mistrust. Even after the Lord had really been resurrected, he still finds it hard to believe.
Our Lord is very able to sympathize with our weakness. Even though we are so weak and often doubt God with our rational thinking, but God is always so patient to guide and teach us. He does not criticize us. He sees how Thomas is so full of doubt and struggling to completely believe, but he did not scold him, but guides him step by step and leads him patiently. Do you know that God leads you in this same way? The Lord is always patiently guiding and constantly revealing things to us, until we can truly understand God's will. Therefore, let us offer up to God our thanksgiving for his love and mercy!
Pray with Pastor Tong
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