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This experience was difficult for the Bethany family, but look at it in the light of God’s love (vv. 3, 5, 36).

Love hears (1–3). The sisters sent their message to the Lord because they knew He was concerned about them. God’s love keeps His ears open to our cries (Ps. 34: 12–16).

Love waits (4–6). We think that love must act immediately, but sometimes delay brings a greater blessing: “God’s delays are not God’s denials.” Jesus gave them a promise to encourage them while they waited (v. 4). The promise seemed to have failed, but Jesus knew what He was doing.

Love risks (7–16). It was dangerous for Jesus to return to Judea, but He went just the same. The raising of Lazarus helped to precipitate the plans that led to His death (vv. 45–57).

Love comforts (17–32). Jesus came to the sisters, listened to them, and assured them with His word. He cannot really help us until we move from “Lord, if . . .” (vv. 21, 32) to “Yes, Lord, I believe” (v. 27).

Love weeps (33–37). Jesus identifies with our sorrows (Heb. 4: 15–16). He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, but He still wept with the sisters and their friends. Love serves (38–44). We today are not able to raise the dead, but we can serve others as they go through the valley (Rom. 12: 15).

A loving heart will always find a way to bear others’ burdens (Gal. 6: 2).

“If God is at work week by week raising men from the dead, there will always be people coming to see how it is done. You cannot find an empty church that has conversion for its leading feature. Do you want to know how to fill empty chapels? Here is the answer: Get your Lazarus.”

Samuel Chadwick, Methodist evangelist and educator (1860–1932)” from “With The Word Bible Commentary (Chapter-By-Chapter Bible Handbook)” by Warren W. Wiersbe

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