After Jesus left Jerusalem, He and His disciples went across the Jordan River to the place where John the Baptist used to baptize those who responded to his message of repentance. People were saying that although John had performed no miraculous sign, everything that he had said about Jesus was true. Shortly after their arrival, Jesus received an urgent message from a currier:

“Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (John 11:3).

The message, of course, was from Mary and Martha, His friends in Bethany (near Jerusalem), letting Jesus know that their brother Lazarus (whom Jesus dearly loved) was sick to the point of death. The message implied that if Jesus didn’t come immediately, Lazarus would die, and all hope would be lost. But Jesus said:

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

Naturally, the disciples were wondering why Jesus didn’t immediately leave for Bethany. The answer is twofold: 1) Jesus had more people to reach on the east side of the Jordan; and 2) there was something amazing that would happen if they didn’t return right away. In fact, Jesus waited two more days before leaving for Bethany. When He told His disciples that they would return to Judea, the disciples reminded Jesus that just a few days prior, the religious leaders were seeking to stone Him. And then the question from the disciples: “Why are we going back there?” Jesus then responded:

“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in Him” (John 11:9-10).

Remember, John had previously told us in the first chapter of his gospel that Jesus possesses “life” in Himself, and this “life” is the “light” for men to follow. Jesus used physical daylight to remind the disciples that as long as He was providing spiritual “light from the Son,” then He needed to respond to the needs at hand. He had finished in that region, and now it was time to return to Judea (where Jerusalem and Bethany were). And then Jesus told His disciples:

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go, that you may awaken him out of sleep” (John 11:11).

Of course, Jesus used the word “asleep” as a euphemism (a softer way of saying that Lazarus had died). We do the same, when we tell others that a person has “passed away” or “has gone home to be with the Lord.” Of course, the disciples are trying to get Jesus to forget about returning to Judea, and said:

“If he has fallen asleep, he will wake up” (John 11:12).

But then Jesus told them plainly:

“Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there so that you may believe, but let us go to him” (John 11:14-15).

Of course, by delaying, Jesus was already working out His plan, a plan that would bring the disciples and everyone gathered in Bethany at Lazarus’ tomb a new understanding of Jesus. But Thomas, the twin, said:

“Let us go also that we may die with Him” (John 11:16).

Now you all remember Thomas. Yes, he is known as “doubting Thomas” because he refused to believe in Jesus’ resurrection until He returned a second time to the Upper Room and actually see and touch Him. But dear Thomas, he was not only a “doubter,” but also a “fatalist!” It’s like he was saying, “If we go back to Judea, we will all die along with Jesus, and because we are all going to die anyway, we might as well get it over with!”

I think that some of us may be a bit like Thomas – Doubting fatalists! I believe that it comes down to an issue of “trust,” which is, of course, another word for “faith.” Whenever we are inclined to doubt or to fear, we simply need to trust in the character of God, which at the core, lies His “goodness.” We say, “God is good,” and then most of us add the phrase, “all the time.” 

Trusting in our God who is always good will remove our doubts and fears. Thomas was learning those things, and  by the end of the gospels, he, along with the other disciples, were sent into all the world to preach the Gospel. Jesus believed in them to get the job done, and He believes in us to live for Him, making a difference in a world beset by doubt and fear. May we all fulfill our calling to be lights in a dark world. 

Oh yes, next week we’ll pick up where Jesus arrives in Bethany. Until then, God bless each of you.