The Blessings of a Trial

D. R. Macy
In John 11 we have a touching account of a sore trial that God allows to come into the home of some very dear friends of the Lord Jesus. Now we know that sometimes the difficulties in our lives are the chastening hand of the Lord because of failure and sin that we have allowed. But this is not the purpose or the reason for the problem here. He uses this severe test to show His own more of His glory as well as the depth of His love and care for them.
What do we know about this home in Bethany? We know that it is a home where the Lord Jesus is welcome, where His presence is appreciated and enjoyed. He often goes there with His disciples. Each in that home is conscious of the Lord's love for him or her. And we know that they are active in worship and service, as we know that Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with her ointment and twice we find Martha serving Him.
It is into this home that the Lord allows a very severe trial and test. We might have thought that everything is in order, spiritually, in this home and that there is no need for such sorrow to enter this household. But, no, God has purposes of love and blessing that go far beyond human thoughts of what is good, and He will not stop short of full blessing for His own.
He allows Lazarus to become sick. His sisters send to tell the Lord Jesus, their dear Friend, so that He might help them. They don't boast of the good things that Lazarus had done, to give the Lord reason to act. Rather, they plead a known relationship of love, between the Lord Jesus and the one who was sick. "Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”
That touches the Lord's heart, and He gives a word of encouragement to them. "This sickness is not unto death." What a wonderful promise these words are! He's not going to die-what a relief! But that's not what the Lord is really saying here. "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." He says that the end result of this trial is not to cause death, with its deep sorrow and grief, but the purpose of this sickness is that God and His beloved Son might receive more glory from the lives of those whom He loves and who love Him. He wants our fullest blessing, and that will always result in giving honor to and exalting the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." A trial usually affects others—close relatives and friends—besides the one who is directly the subject of the test. Very quickly the Lord assures us of His love, not only for Lazarus, but also for those who were dear to Lazarus—Martha and her sister.
That love for all three is going to motivate His every action as the circumstances of this trial unfold. It may not always seem to be going exactly as we would order, but, remember, the goal that the Lord Jesus always has before Him is the honor and glory of God. There is no higher object.
But why, when He hears that Lazarus is sick, does He remain two days where He is? This is the Son of God, and He could speak a word, right from where He is, to heal the sick. Or He could go and touch him so that he might recover. No, had He used one of those methods, we might never read those touching words, "Jesus wept." He is the Man of patience, and He waits. It's all part of His perfect plan for the blessing of His own.