John 11 contains the incredible account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:1-4)
Take a moment to think about Jesus’ words. “This illness … is for the glory of God.” Lazarus experienced physical death. His sisters were overcome with grief. Jesus himself was “deeply moved.” But something greater was going on here. “This illness … is for the glory of God.”
God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are infinitely higher than our ways. This universe and everything that fills it–from the brightest galaxy to the newest baby–all of it exists for his glory. Sometimes, he is glorified in unexpected places and unforeseen ways. But he is good. He does good.
“Do you believe this?” It was Jesus’ question for Martha in John 11:26. It continues to be asked. Of us. “Do you believe this?”
In the brightest of days and the darkest of nights, may we confess with Martha, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” May we glorify him, even in the unexpected.